Distinguished Service Award Open for Nominations 1 June 2025 – 1 September 2025
The Distinguished Service Award was established by the Board of Directors in 1968 to give unique recognition to an individual member of AIAA who has provided distinguished service to the Institute for a period of at least 15 years. The recipient must be a member in good standing who has shown particular dedication to the interests of the Institute by making significant and continuing contributions. Technical contributions or contributions to the profession as a whole or to the aeronautical/astronautical/hydronautical disciplines are not a consideration for this award.
This annual award is generally presented at the AIAA Awards Gala.
Deadlines:
Accepting Online Nominations: 1 July
Nomination Deadline: 1 September
Endorsement Letters Deadline: 1 October
Nomination Form AIAA Distinguished Award Online Nomination System
Award Recipients
2024
-
Dr Paul D NielsenSoftware Engineering InstituteAwardedAward: 2024 AIAA Distinguished Service AwardAIAA Citation: For outstanding and distinguished leadership and service to AIAA and to the aerospace profession over the past four decades.
2023
-
Mr David R RileyThe Boeing CompanyAwardedAward: 2023 AIAA Distinguished Service AwardAIAA 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 ThrockmortonNational Institute of AerospaceAwardedAward: 2022 AIAA Distinguished Service AwardAIAA Citation: “For over three decades of leadership and exemplary service to AIAA at the section and national level.”
2021
-
Dr Merri J SanchezThe Aerospace CorporationAwardedAward: 2021 AIAA Distinguished Service AwardAIAA Citation: “For over three decades of leadership and distinguished service to AIAA that contributed significantly to the success of the Institute”
2020
-
L. Jane HansenHRP Systems, Inc.AwardedAward: 2020 Distinguished Service AwardAIAA 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 DannenbergAwardedAward: 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 SnitchLockheed Martin CorporationAwardedAward: “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 WinnEngineering Systems, Inc.AwardedAIAA 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 CrouchNational Air & Space MuseumAwardedAIAA 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 HarrisAwardedAIAA Citation: For lifetime contributions to aeronautics, aviation, the aerospace profession and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
2014
-
Dr Michael I YarymovychSarasota Space AssociatesAwardedAIAA 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 SmithAwardedAIAA 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 RichardsonAwardedAward: -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. PetersonGeorgia Institute of TechnologyAwardedAward: -AIAA Citation: For 25 years of service to AIAA, the aerospace profession, and outstanding leadership in aerospace engineering education.
2010
-
Mr. Arnold D AldrichAwardedAIAA 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 KnowlenThe Boeing CompanyAwardedAIAA 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 BlantonClassic Engineering, LLCAwardedAward: 2008 AIAA Distinguished Servuce AwardAIAA 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 VaughanNASA EmeritusAwardedAIAA 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 NewberryAwardedAIAA 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 FrancisAwardedAIAA 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 ZaremAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding contributions to the fields of aerospace and aeronautical engineering encompassing a lifetime of achievements
2003
-
Mr. John M SwihartAwardedAIAA 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 FletcherTexas A&M UniversityAwardedAIAA Citation: For a career of service to AIAA at the national and international level
2000
-
Mr. Don FuquaAwardedAIAA 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 HattisThe Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.AwardedAIAA 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 LampeAerospace Consulting Group, Inc.AwardedAIAA 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 SeibertAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding performance in many voluntary roles, including conference chairman, national finance director, and several other ad-hoc assignments
1996
-
Ms. Patricia M FreshAwardedAIAA Citation: In recognition of outstanding and sustained public policy servic to AIAA at the Vandenberg, Region VI, and National Levels.
1995
-
Mr. Roland J SchoenhoffAwardedAIAA 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 JusticeThe Georgia Center of Innovation for AerospaceAwardedAIAA 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 BetSayadJacobsAwardedAIAA 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 MacdonaldAwardedAIAA 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 StephensLockheed Martin Missiles and Fire ControlAwardedAIAA 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 StoneAwarded
1989
-
Mr. Andrew G Morgan Jr.AwardedAIAA 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 SuttonSPARTA, Inc.AwardedAIAA 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 HarfordAwardedAward: -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 BaullingerBoeing Defense & Space GroupAwardedAIAA 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 GagnierTRG Consulting IncAwardedAIAA 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 WilliamsAwardedAIAA 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 ChaffeeAwardedAIAA Citation: For outstanding service, leadership and inspiration to the AIAA Houston Section throughout his eighteen years as a member.
1983
-
Herbert H RosenAwardedAIAA 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 MillsAwardedAIAA 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 BairAwarded-CoRecipientsAIAA Citation: For his inspiring and exceptionally enthusiastic service to the Institute, the Northern Ohio Section, and the engineering profession
-
Mr. George J FrankelAwarded-CoRecipientsAIAA 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 MooreAwarded-CoRecipientsAIAA 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 SimmonsAwarded-CoRecipientsAIAA 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 WoodwardAwarded-CoRecipientsAIAA 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 ArmstrongSAICAwardedAIAA 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 EyresAwardedAIAA 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 DicksonAwardedAIAA 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 RandleAwardedAIAA 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 CurryAwardedAIAA Citation: For continuous and extensive service to the AIAA in general and to the Albuquerque Section in particular
1974
-
Charles ApplemanAwardedAIAA 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 AbramsonAwardedAIAA 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 ChanaAwardedAIAA 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 RoeverAwardedAIAA 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 MoranAwardedAIAA 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 JohnsonAwardedAIAA 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.AwardedAIAA 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