Honorees to be inducted at Museum’s 35th Annual Pathfinder Awards Banquet on Oct. 22
SEATTLE – The Museum of Flight honors outstanding contributors to the art and science of aeronautics through its annual Pathfinder program, now in its 35th year. This year’s Pathfinder inductees are spaceflight entrepreneur Jeff Bezos and renowned restorer of antique aircraft Addison Pemberton. They will be honored at the annual Pathfinder Awards Dinner held at the Museum on Oct. 22.
The black-tie-optional Pathfinder Awards event includes a reception followed by honoree interviews and biographical videos during a multi-course banquet. Individual tickets are available to the public.
Tickets and additional information about all Pathfinders can be found online.
Jeff Bezos
As the founder and CEO of Amazon, and also the founder of Blue Origin and Bezos Expeditions, Jeff Bezos is revered as an entrepreneur and innovator. While he is best known for revolutionizing e-commerce, Bezos is committed to the development of low-cost, reusable private space flight technology. He is a perfect manifestation of a Pathfinder-a pragmatic and visionary businessman implementing technology for the present and future benefit of humankind.
Addison Pemberton
An avid restorer of antique airplanes and co-owner of Scanivalve Corporation, Addison Pemberton brings aviation’s past into the present while helping engineers develop airplanes of the future. Pemberton’s enthusiasm for his craft, strong leadership ability and charismatic personality make him an exemplary Pathfinder.
The Pathfinder Awards
The Pathfinder Awards honor individuals or teams with ties to the Pacific Northwest who have made significant contributions to advances in aerospace in the categories of Flying, Education, Operations, Engineering, Manufacturing and At-Large.
The spirit of Pathfinders is reflected in this verse by Mike Wiegand:
“Aviation began as a dream, born of wonder and curiosity. The dream became a theory through imagination and intelligence. The theory became an experiment through courage and study. The experiment became a practice through vision and learning. This progression has been a profound adventure, an awakening of the human soul to the possibilities of dreams. Modern aviation has always depended on a few adventurous spirits who are the pathfinders for the rest of us – they are the brave few who survive on faith, skill, and the courage of their convictions. Pathfinders strive, dare, push the limits, and sacrifice so that the rest of us can enter the doors they open – the doors to the future, to human potential, to dreams.”
Pathfinders include William E. Boeing, Jr., Peter M. Bowers, Reba Gilman, Alan Mullally, Joseph Sutter, Richard F. Gordon, Jr., Suzanna P. Darcy-Hennemann, A.M. “Tex” Johnston, Clay Lacy, Carolyn Corvi, James B. Galvin, William E. Boeing, Sr., William A. Anders, Sheila E. Widnall and Ernest K. Gann.
The Pathfinders selection process starts at the beginning of each year with nominations from the public and a Selection Committee that includes representatives from the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics PNW Section, The Boeing Company, Honeywell, United Technologies, Civil Air Patrol, Federal Aviation Administration, The Museum of Flight, Ninety-Nines, Pratt & Whitney, Seattle Soaring Club, Sterling Aviation Technologies, Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Society of Experimental Test Engineers, Royal Aeronautical Society, University of Washington, Women in Aviation and the Washington State Department of Transportation.
For Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org