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About Mark
Mark C. Fava is an aviation lawyer, author, speaker, and retired U.S. Navy Captain whose career has spanned military aviation, high-stakes legal leadership, and the aerospace industry.
Over a thirty-year Navy career as a Naval Flight Officer, Mark flew in the Lockheed P-3 Orion and later commanded three Navy Reserve units, including an aviation squadron. Early in his career, he served as an aide to a Navy admiral—an experience that shaped many of the leadership lessons that would later inspire his best selling book, Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders, which received the Book Excellence Award in Leadership.
In his legal career spanning over 32 years, Mark has served as a law firm partner, chief operations attorney at Delta Air Lines during and after 9/11, and a senior executive lawyer in the aerospace industry. He currently serves as a vice president at one of the world’s largest aerospace companies.
Through his writing and speaking, Mark focuses on legacy leadership, decision-making under pressure, professionalism, accountability, and the timeless lessons learned through military service and executive leadership. His work blends practical wisdom, humor, mentorship, and real-world experience in a way that resonates with leaders across industries.
He is also the creator of the Shipshape Shipmates children’s books, beginning with Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape, a character-driven story that teaches children timeless values such as teamwork, integrity, courage, preparation, gratitude, and service through authentic and whimsical naval adventures.
Mark has also written numerous professional articles on leadership, law, and crisis management and has taught aviation law and legal writing as an adjunct law professor.
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Mark lives in the Lowcountry with his wife and three daughters. When not working, writing, or speaking, he enjoys reading, life on the South Carolina coast, a cold glass of sweet tea in the summer, and a good oyster roast in the fall.For speaking engagements or media inquiries, please contact markcfava@gmail.com.
Books
Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders
More than thirty years ago, a young naval flight officer received a career-defining assignment: serving as the aide to a Navy admiral.
At the admiral’s side, Mark C. Fava witnessed leadership at the highest levels up close — the decisions, pressure, personalities, successes, failures, and daily interactions that shaped commanders, careers, and culture. Some lessons inspired him. Others taught him exactly what not to do.
Those experiences became the foundation of a remarkable leadership journey that later carried Mark into senior roles as an aviation lawyer, law firm partner, military commanding officer, airline executive during and after 9/11, and ultimately vice president at one of the world’s largest aerospace companies.
In Lessons from the Admiral: Naval Wisdom and Sea Stories for Leaders, Fava combines engaging sea stories, practical leadership insights, and hard-earned wisdom into a thoughtful and entertaining guide for professionals who want to lead with greater effectiveness, humility, accountability, and purpose.
At its core, this is a book about legacy leadership — the idea that leadership is not defined by rank, title, or position, but by the lasting impact we have on the people we lead and the organizations we serve.
Ideal for emerging leaders, military officers, lawyers, managers, and anyone navigating high-pressure organizations, this book explores:
- how strong leaders earn trust,
- how executives think and make decisions,
- how preparation and professionalism create opportunity,
- how humility and accountability strengthen leadership credibility,
- and how small daily habits shape long-term success.
Filled with memorable stories, humor, mentorship, and timeless lessons from naval service and corporate leadership, Lessons from the Admiral is both an enjoyable memoir-style leadership book and a practical roadmap for becoming the kind of leader others want to follow — and remember.
Order your copy here
Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape
Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape is a whimsical and authentic naval adventure that introduces young readers to teamwork, courage, gratitude, preparation, integrity, and service through the eyes of Admiral Andy and his crew aboard the USS Shipshape.
Designed for children ages 3–8, the book combines fun storytelling, vibrant illustrations, and timeless character lessons inspired by real naval traditions and life at sea.
Find out more
Praise
“From commanding a Navy P-3 squadron to the corporate C-suite, Mark Fava has lived and breathed leadership. Whether you are a leader or a follower aspiring to be a leader, this book is for you! An inspiring and entertaining story based on the bond of trust between an admiral and his aide, Fava’s Lessons from the Admiral provides powerful insight. Read this book, and you will lead better!”
LUKE M. MCCOLLUM, Vice Admiral (ret.), US Navy, 14th Chief of Navy Reserve
“An insightful and enjoyable read with artful storytelling. At numerous points in the book, I found myself thinking, Man, I wish I had known that sooner. Practice these lessons, and your path to success will be much smoother.”
GREG RIGGS, Executive Coach and former Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Delta Air Lines
“You don’t have to be a lawyer, aviator, or veteran to enjoy this book. A masterful and entertaining storyteller, Mark Fava gives us ageless wisdom and a road map to success in Lessons from the Admiral. A must-read for current leaders and aspiring leaders alike.”
JOSH LINKNER, five-time tech entrepreneur, New York Times bestselling author, and venture capitalist
“In Lessons from the Admiral, Mark Fava gives us timeless lessons that are as applicable to a new employee or middle manager as they are to a senior executive: know your boss, listen to all stakeholders, be prepared, and serve with a purpose.”
HANK MOLINENGO, Rear Admiral, JAGC, USN (Ret.) and former Senior Associate Dean for Administrative Affairs, The George Washington University Law School
“Born to lead, Navy Captain Mark Fava learned leadership as a twenty-seven-year-old admiral’s aide, the ‘best of the best.’ A superb officer and a true gentleman, Mark was the loop who wore the gold-and-blue braided aiguillette, whose job was to know his boss’s every thought and word, and to anticipate his every decision and move. Now, in his first book, he passes on the wisdom of the leaders who taught him how to lead over his thirty years in the Navy Reserve, law practice, and business. Commit the leadership wisdom in this book to memory. Practice it every day as you rise in the ranks, and someday, you, too, will lead others, whatever your walk of life.”
J. MICHAEL LUTTIG, former US Court of Appeals judge
“In Lessons from the Admiral, Mark Fava reflects on his real-life learnings while serving in a demanding and high-pressure position, yielding practical lessons that paved the way for him to become a successful military officer and high-level attorney. It’s an entertaining read, chock-full of great leadership advice.”
HONORABLE ROBERT L. SUMWALT, Chairman, National Transportation Safety Board (2017-2021)
Connect
Mark is an entertaining and prolific speaker. If you’re interested in him speaking to your group, email him here.
Have questions about Lessons from the Admiral?
Contact Mark using the form below.