Distinguished Service Award Open for Nominations 1 July 2024 – 1 September 2024

Award Recipients

2024

• Dr Paul D Nielsen
  Software Engineering Institute

  Awarded

  Award: 2024 AIAA Distinguished Service Award

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding and distinguished leadership and service to AIAA and to the aerospace profession over the past four decades.

2023

• Mr David R Riley
  The Boeing Company

  Awarded

  Award: 2023 AIAA Distinguished Service Award

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of over four decades of dedicated leadership and service to AIAA at the section, region, national, and international levels.

2022

• David A Throckmorton
  National Institute of Aerospace

  Awarded

  Award: 2022 AIAA Distinguished Service Award

  AIAA Citation: “For over three decades of leadership and exemplary service to AIAA at the section and national level.”

2021

• Dr Merri J Sanchez
  The Aerospace Corporation

  Awarded

  Award: 2021 AIAA Distinguished Service Award

  AIAA Citation: “For over three decades of leadership and distinguished service to AIAA that contributed significantly to the success of the Institute”

2020

• L. Jane Hansen
  HRP Systems, Inc.

  Awarded

  Award: 2020 Distinguished Service Award

  AIAA Citation: For over 30 years of Passion for, and Dedication to, the Innovative Development and Implementation of Educationally Impactful Programs for AIAA.

2019

• Dr Klaus D Dannenberg
  Awarded

  Award: For five decades of significant contributions to AIAA that created greatly enhanced value and more meaningful opportunities for the Institute's traditional and evolving constituencies.

  AIAA Citation: For five decades of significant contributions to AIAA that created greatly enhanced value and more meaningful opportunities for the Institute's traditional and evolving constituencies.

2018

• Mrs Mary L Snitch
  Lockheed Martin Corporation

  Awarded

  Award: “For two decades of significant contributions to AIAA, ranging from tireless advocacy for funding, to national and international influence on aerospace policy, to substantial impact on organizational and management improvements.”

  AIAA Citation: “For two decades of significant contributions to AIAA, ranging from tireless advocacy for funding, to national and international influence on aerospace policy, to substantial impact on organizational and management improvements.”

2017

• Dr Robert C Winn
  Engineering Systems, Inc.

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For over 3 decades of exemplary service and leadership to AIAA including 11 years on the Board of Directors as Director at Large, as Vice President of Technical Activities, and as Vice President Finance.

2016

• Dr Tom D Crouch
  National Air & Space Museum

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For inspirational leadership and ceaseless efforts in promoting the public understanding of the history of AIAA and the compelling aerospace achievements of its members.

2015

• Roy V Harris
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For lifetime contributions to aeronautics, aviation, the aerospace profession and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

2014

• Dr Michael I Yarymovych
  Sarasota Space Associates

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: “For 60 years of dedicated service to IAS, ARS, AIAA and IAF, and for outstanding leadership for the aerospace profession in government. industry and the international community.”

2013

• Tom Smith
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: “For over three decades of exemplary service and leadership to AIAA including fourteen years on the Board of Directors as Director of two Directorates and as Vice President for Finance”

2012

• Dr Donald W Richardson
  Awarded

  Award: -

  AIAA Citation: For over 60 years of service to the IAS and AIAA, the aerospace profession, and outstanding leadership in navigation and air traffic management systems.

2011

• Dr G. P. Peterson
  Georgia Institute of Technology

  Awarded

  Award: -

  AIAA Citation: For 25 years of service to AIAA, the aerospace profession, and outstanding leadership in aerospace engineering education.

2010

• Mr. Arnold D Aldrich
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For over three decades of continuous, dedicated service to the Institute as a strong supporter and tireless participant, and for significant contributions and leadership to the aerospace profession.

2009

• Mr. David C Knowlen
  The Boeing Company

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: To recognize over two decades of dedicated service to AIAA through participation on technical and standing committees and advocacy for industry partnerships.

2008

• Dr John C Blanton
  Classic Engineering, LLC

  Awarded

  Award: 2008 AIAA Distinguished Servuce Award

  AIAA Citation: Tp recognize three decades of passionate and outstanding leadership and service for AIAA at the section, region, national and international levels.

2007

• Dr William W Vaughan
  NASA Emeritus

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For many years of continued, outstanding contributions to the AIAA mission through active participation in technical committees, standing committees, region activities as well as technical excellence.

2006

• Dr Conrad F Newberry
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For ceaseless efforts to enhance aerospace system design education, and for five decades of leadership in aerospace engineering technology, education, and career development.

2005

• Dr Michael S Francis
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For chairing and participating in many AIAA standing, technical and conference committees, and for leadership in the growth and development of the aerospace industry.

2004

• Dr Abe M Zarem
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the fields of aerospace and aeronautical engineering encompassing a lifetime of achievements

2003

• Mr. John M Swihart
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 55 years of active service to AIAA and 40 years of participation on the Board of Directors and National Committees including President of AIAA in 1991-992

2002

• Dr L. Skip Fletcher
  Texas A&M University

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For a career of service to AIAA at the national and international level

2000

• Mr. Don Fuqua
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 35 years of solid advocacy of aerospace programs as a Member of Congress and as President of the Aerospace Industries Association

1999

• Philip D Hattis
  The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For sustained excellence in serving public policy for the aerospace community in committee assignments, dialog, and other government relations initiatives

1998

• Mrs. Doris Z Lampe
  Aerospace Consulting Group, Inc.

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For over 15 years of outstanding leadership and distinguished service to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Vandenberg Section as Section Secretary, Program Chairman, Honors and Awards Chairman, and Section Chairman

1997

• Dr George L Seibert
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding performance in many voluntary roles, including conference chairman, national finance director, and several other ad-hoc assignments

1996

• Ms. Patricia M Fresh
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of outstanding and sustained public policy servic to AIAA at the Vandenberg, Region VI, and National Levels.

1995

• Mr. Roland J Schoenhoff
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For many years of sustained distinguished service, outstanding accomplishment, and valuable contributions to AIAA at national, regional and section levels

1994

• R. Steven S Justice
  The Georgia Center of Innovation for Aerospace

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For enthusiastic and long-term service to AIAA at local, regional and national levels, and for instrumental involvement in the establishment of the Savannah Section

1993

• Mr. Velice BetSayad
  Jacobs

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional leadership in promoting the growth and development of the Greater New Orleans and Alabama-Mississippi Sections, and to the Institute nationally for over 15 years

1992

• William W Macdonald
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 35 years of continuous member participation, particularly in guiding young members into progressive leadership roles, adopting unique methods to stimulate member and Section recognition, and actively serving in every office within the New Mexico, West Texas, Los Angeles, and Cape Canaveral Sections

1991

• Lawrence W Stephens
  Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 15 years of outstanding and continuous service to the AIAA, with dedicated contributions to the North Texas Section and the National Public Policy, Student Activities and Honors and Awards Committees

1990

• Donald J Stone
  Awarded

1989

• Mr. Andrew G Morgan Jr.
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For the long-term leadership that has increased meeting attendance, membership upgrades, Section membership, and esprit de corps of the Atlanta section

1988

• Dr George W Sutton
  SPARTA, Inc.

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For a quarter century of distinguished editorial leadership of the world''s premiere aerospace research publication, the AIAA Journal, and his participation in a wide range of the Institute’s technical activities
• James J Harford
  Awarded

  Award: -

  AIAA Citation: For 35 years of contributions and exemplary service of the highest order of quality and the deepest dedication to AIAA Sections, and for special efforts in professional development to student and national affairs

1987

• Mr. Norman C Baullinger
  Boeing Defense & Space Group

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For continuous and dedicated service as council member and chairman of the Dayton-Cincinnati Section and for outstanding leadership shown in developing and promoting award winning special events and national meetings

1986

• Thomas R Gagnier
  TRG Consulting Inc

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For more than twenty years of continuous and dedicated service to the Institute and community, and for his contributions to Education, Public Policy, and Technical Committees

1985

• William R Williams
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For his quality service to the Institute at the Section, Region and National level for over 13 years which has resulted in presentation and adoption of innovative methods to stimulate member and section recognition

1984

• Mr Norman H Chaffee
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For outstanding service, leadership and inspiration to the AIAA Houston Section throughout his eighteen years as a member.

1983

• Herbert H Rosen
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 25 years of inspirational leadership and involvement with AIAA and ARS on the national and regional levels, and particularly for his exceptional services in public affairs, special events, and as Chairman of the Los Angeles Section

1982

• Mr. George S Mills
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 15 years of continuous service and leadership which include chairing the Section to the Outstanding Large Section Award and co-chairing the First General Aviation Pilot Safety Clinic with FAA

1981

• Herbert Q Bair
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For his inspiring and exceptionally enthusiastic service to the Institute, the Northern Ohio Section, and the engineering profession
• Mr. George J Frankel
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For dedicated service to the Institute, making significant and substantial contributions continuously since 1964, especially as a member of technical committees; as a Regional Deputy Director for Public Policy; and as Section Chairman
• Gil Moore
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional service to the Utah Section and the Institute, and specifically for his dedicated and highly successful efforts to promote use of "Getaway Special" Space Shuttle payloads for student experiments
• Mr. William H Simmons
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional and long-time service to the Institute, Region IV, and the Houston Section in conceiving, developing an implementing innovative and effective membership development programs of great value to the AIAA
• Edith L Woodward
  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional and long-time service to AIAA, and for developing within the Southeastern Region and annual student conference activity which has been a model for the entire country

1980

• Mr. Tony Armstrong
  SAIC

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For his dedication to the furtherance of the profession and its practitioners as evidenced by selfless, untiring, and innovative service both to the Pacific Northwest Section and to the Institute nationally.

1979

• Charles W Eyres
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For more than 20 years of outstanding and selfless service to AIAA (ARS and IAS) through significant contributions so national and regional committee activities, with special emphasis an educational and student activities typified by his creation to the AIAA scholarship Awards Program

1978

• Ms. Ann C Dickson
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For 18 selfless years of dedication, and for providing exemplary and astute leadership to a broadly ranging variety of local and national assignments, with particular emphasis in the areas of career development and education

1976

• Mr. Kenneth W Randle
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional service to the Institute and Profession; especially by obtaining 1976 Congressional passage of Senate Concurrent Resolution 47, which calls on the President of the United States to annually proclaim "U.S. Space Week."

1975

• Mr. Warren H Curry
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For continuous and extensive service to the AIAA in general and to the Albuquerque Section in particular

1974

• Charles Appleman
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For dedication to improving benefits to Houston Section members through abettor Section programs, and national meetings in Houston, and for his exceptional service to the Society at the national level.

1973

• Dr H. Norm Abramson
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For many years of dedicated service to the Southwest Texas Section and the distinction that he has brought to it as a consequence of his energy and enthusiasm in a very wide variety of significant assignments in the AIAA

1972

• William F Chana
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional and long time service to the Institute and the San Diego Section, and for continuing efforts on behalf of the membership

1971

• Mr. Frederick H Roever
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For contributions of a high order of quality for the past 18 years and for a continuing and deep dedication to the AIAA and all that it stands for

1970

• Mr H. D Moran
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exemplary and continuous service to the Los Angeles Section of IAS and AIAA and to the Institute since 1949 and for devoting special effort in Student Affairs, Career Development, facilities and other Committees

1969

• Mr. Peter C Johnson
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional and long time service to the Institute and the Tulsa Section and for continuing efforts in developing the section as an instrument of professional development for engineers

1968

• Harvey M Cook Jr.
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional service in the administration of the Tennessee Section of the AIAA and one of its antecedent societies, and for continued dedication to the interests of the AIAA at both local and national levels