Bill Stone Speaking Fee: $30,000 to $50,000

Bill Stone, born on December 7, 1952, in Pennsylvania, is an American engineer, renowned cave explorer, and inventor. His passion for caving ignited during his studies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering in 1974. This enthusiasm led him to participate in a 1976 expedition to Sistema Huautla in Oaxaca, Mexico, achieving a penetration depth record of 2,624 feet. Pursuing advanced studies at the University of Texas at Austin, Stone obtained a Ph.D. in engineering. He then joined the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Maryland, where he worked from 1980 to 2004. At NIST, he established and led the Construction Metrology and Automation Group, focusing on innovative engineering solutions. In 1980, Stone founded Stone Aerospace, an engineering firm dedicated to developing technologies for exploring extreme environments. The company has been instrumental in creating autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) for NASA-funded projects, such as DEPTHX and ENDURANCE, aimed at exploring Earth's most challenging aquatic terrains and informing the search for life on icy moons like Europa. Stone's contributions to diving technology are notable. In 1987, he introduced the Cis-Lunar MK1 rebreather at Wakulla Springs, Florida, demonstrating its capabilities during a 24-hour underwater dive. This innovation significantly advanced underwater exploration by extending dive durations and improving safety. Throughout his career, Stone has led over 80 international expeditions, spending more than a decade in the field, including 815 days in remote underground camps and a year in Antarctica on scientific missions. His expertise has made him a sought-after speaker on topics ranging from technology and engineering to adventure and leadership.