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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
The Castellano Family

Ben Castellano's career and service to America are intricately linked to the history of aviation in our country. After graduating from the Catholic University of America, he served five years in the Air Force, achieving the rank of Captain. While in the Air Force, he served as a navigator/bombardier on B-52s with the 99th Bomb Wing, flying missions over Vietnam and received the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.

After serving in the Air Force, Ben spent three years as an operations officer with Pan American World Airways. After that he taught aviation courses at Catonsville Community College for several years before launching a career with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Ben spent 34 years with the FAA, serving in many roles, including seven years as special assistant to the airport manager for National Airport in Arlington, VA. He served as Program Guidance Officer and later Manager of Airport Safety and Certification, developing standards for the safe operation of airports that have contributed to America's unmatched record of airport safety. On 9/11, he was part of the contingent of FAA personnel relocated to a secure location to ensure continued safe operation of America’s air transport system. He retired from the FAA in 2008.

Since his retirement from the FAA to 2022, he has been a primary instructor with the American Association of Airport Executives in conducting airport safety seminars to airport operators throughout the country as well as internationally.