Foil: 52 Panel: 2 Column: 1 Line: 14

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Sponsor

Honored by:
Rebecca Walsh

Kenneth R. Potts was eight years old when he took his first flight out of Twin Lakes Airport (8A7) in Advance, North Carolina. The airport was started by his parents, Gray and Betty Potts, who were also private pilots. Twin Lakes served as Ken's homebase for countless adventures in the air. Many family vacations along the east coast were enjoyed by the Potts family during Ken’s early years in flight.

Ken received his pilot's license at the age of 16 and enrolled at Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) to begin the academic portion of his aviation journey. After a year at FIT, Ken transferred to Purdue University, where he completed his Bachelor of Science in Aviation Management in 1980. Ken was hired by Piedmont Airlines as a First Officer in June 1981. He spent much of his career on the beloved Boeing 737. He became Captain on the B-737 in 1985 with routes taking him throughout the United States and Caribbean. Based in Charlotte for his ongoing 40+ year career, Ken has flown the Boeing 757, 767, and Airbus A380 to destinations including Germany, France, England, Ireland (Charlotte's inaugural flight!), Brazil, South Korea, Japan, Italy and Spain. Presently a Captain aboard the Boeing 777, Ken enjoys non-stop flights to Hawaii and never tires of his first passion of flying.