SEATTLE, -The Museum of Flight is announcing the appointment of Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar to the position of Executive Director of “Wings Over Washington,” a museum affiliate organization. Wings over Washington was established by the Museum in 1989 to recognize and enhance the historical and contemporary role of aviation and the aerospace industry in Washington as well as to support The Museum of Flight’s vision of being the foremost education museum in the world.
Dr. Dunbar, who was President and CEO of the museum from 2005 to 2010, will focus on the development of the museum’s west-side campus, including fundraising for the Museum’s new Space Gallery, future Air Transport Gallery and supporting the museum’s application for one of the retiring Space Shuttles.
In addition, she will be working on a number of education initiatives with the goal of enhancing STEM education in the state of Washington. The Museum of Flight’s K-12 education programs currently reach 140,000 students each year. Dr. Dunbar will also assist in the private fundraising efforts of the Highline School District to locate their new Aviation High School on the campus of The Museum of Flight.
Wings Over Washington will report to The Museum of Flight’s Board of Trustees through Mike Hallman, The Museum of Flight Interim President. The Museum has a search underway to recruit a new CEO and President.
Kevin Callaghan, Chairman of The Museum of Flight Board of Trustees praised Dr. Dunbar’s commitment to her new role. “Bonnie Dunbar’s background as an astronaut and retired CEO of The Museum of Flight, coupled with her passion for promoting STEM education, uniquely qualifies her for a leadership role in the museum’s education initiatives. I am confident the activities she will be working on will have a significant impact on young people throughout the state.”
The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 on Boeing Field half-way between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac Airport. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for active military, $8 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org