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Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Norman Johnson

Paul E. Pearson was Director of Special Projects for Honeywell Space Systems' Satellite Systems Operation (SSO) in Glendale, AZ from June 1989 through his retirement in February 2000. The Satellite Systems Operation supplies components and subsystems to most aerospace prime contractors and to the U.S. Government for various satellite applications. Primary areas of Paul's expertise included development of Control Momentum Gyroscopes (CMG), Momentum Control Systems (MCS), Mechanisms and Pointing Systems (M&PS), and Data Control Systems (DCS). In his position as Director of Special Projects, Pearson built strong customer relationships. He ensured that national security programs were managed in a way consistent with customer expectations and with the highest integrity.

Upon receiving his Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois in 1955, Pearson joined the Bendix Products Division in South Bend, Indiana. He worked in electronic circuit design and packaging for fuel control systems used on turbo jet and turbo prop aircraft. During his tenure with the Bendix Corporation, Pearson earned his Master of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Notre Dame.

In 1960, Pearson joined the Flight System Division of the Sperry Corporation located in Phoenix, Arizona. As a member of the engineering staff, his assignments initially were devoted to the flight control of military aircraft. Applications included fixed wing aircraft and helicopters, as well as remotely piloted vehicles. Pearson rejoined the Sperry Corporation in 1970 after a brief period as Plant Manager for the Allen Aircraft Radio Company, a Chicago area firm engaged in the production of aircraft navigation and communications equipment.

In 1974, Pearson became Program Manager for a major Control Moment Gyroscope program in the Special Projects area. He became Manager of Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GN&C) Programs in 1978, an assignment that encompassed the Hubble Space Telescope Program, the Galileo Program, and several special programs. Honeywell acquired SSO in January of 1987 as part of what was then the Sperry Aerospace Group. He was appointed Director of Special Projects in June 1989, after brief assignments as Manager of DOD programs in the Program Development Department and as Director of Program Management.

Pearson was a member of the Management Technical Committee of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and a member of the American Defense Preparedness Association, and the Security Affairs Support Association.

Paul has received awards from Lockheed Martin for his management contributions to the success of the Hubble Space Telescope Program. He has been recognized by several government organizations for his significant contributions to the national security.

In addition to his technical and management skills, Paul has been very much a "people" person and an outstanding mentor, both formally and informally. He earned an award for his leadership in establishing a series of programs to educate local school children in mathematics, engineering and space technologies. Paul has received Honeywell's prestigious Lund Award for "special achievements in development of human resources." For those of us who have known him that is an understated but fitting tribute to an outstanding gentleman.