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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Tony Pena

Growing up underneath the departure path of runway 28R at SFO was definitely a major influence in my aviation and aerospace interests at a very young age. Watching the commercial airliner evolution, from multi-engine radials (DC-3s, DC-6s, DC-7s, Constellations); to turbo-props (Electras, Convairs, etc.); on to the turbojets (DC-8s, B/707s, B/727s, DC-9s); then to the wide-bodies and jumbos (DC-lOs, L101 Is, A-300s MD-1 Is, B/767s, and B/747s). My first few jobs after high school was working airfreight and passenger service with airlines at SFO, while continuing with my higher education on more technical aspects of aeronautics. Throughout my aerospace career (with my Aeronautical Engineering degree), I worked a few years with a helicopter strapped to my body, flying "Life & Death" Air-Sea Search & Rescue missions with the U.S. Coast Guard (at San Diego and SFO Air Stations), as a Flight Engineer and Avionicsman. Subsequently obtained employment with Lockheed (Martin) and moved through numerous Engineering positions (Design Engineer, Systems Engineer, Test Engineer, Quality Engineer) supporting a number of different programs (including F-16, various Space Shuttle Missions, Hubble Space Telescope, Submarine Launched ICBMs, expendable launch vehicles, military, civilian and commercial satellites, etc.). As well as the cutting edge technology of "Hit-to-Kill" (hitting a bullet with bullet) on the THAAD (Theatre High Altitude Area Defense) missile defense program.