The Museum of Aviation Foundation was established in 1981 as a non-profit charitable organization to help raise funds for the establishment and construction of a museum at Robins Air Force Base. Today the Foundation aggressively pursues fundraising programs for museum improvements, new construction and exhibits, education programs and additional staffing.
The current Chairman of the Board of Directors is Guy Starling, Senior Vice President, Commercial Lending and Business Development, Security Bank of Houston County. The Chairman-Elect for 2007 is Marlan Nichols, Partner, Nichols, Cauley and Associates, Warner Robins, GA.
A National Board of Advisors was established in 1991. Its current Chairman is retired U.S Air Force General Al Hansen, now Senior Adviser to the Board of Directors and CEO of EMS Technologies, Inc., a leader in advanced technology since its founding in 1968. Retired USAF Colonel Patrick M. Bartness, who serves as President and Chief Operating Officer, handles the day-to-day operations of the Foundation.
Since 1981, the Foundation has raised nearly $35 million to help make the Museum of Aviation the fourth largest aviation museum in the United States. A bold new 10-year capital campaign to raise $30 million is underway headed up by past National Board of Directors Chairman Carl Swearingen. Funds will be used to build and expand hangars and facilities and create new outdoor historical displays for World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War and Vietnam.
