MINNEAPOLIS, September 26, 2007 — The Lindbergh Foundation announced at a press conference at the NBAA Convention in Atlanta, that Linden Blue, Chairman of Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC, has joined its board of directors. Two additional members of the aviation community, Larry Williams, President of Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc., and Shawn A. Dorsch, president, chief operating officer, and co-founder of Blackbird Holdings, Inc., have also joined the Foundation’s board. In addition, Foundation officials launched the “Lindbergh Partners” program aimed largely at aviation companies, and publicly thanked NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen for the generous financial contribution made by NBAA Charities earlier this year.

      
New Lindbergh Foundation Board Members

Linden S. Blue is Chairman of Spectrum Aeronautical LLC, a company involved in developing advanced composites aircraft manufacturing systems. Mr. Blue is also vice chairman of General Atomics – Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI), the world’s leading producer of advanced composite unpiloted aircraft. GA-ASI is a diversified international high technology company with world leadership positions in fusion, fission, training research and isotope nuclear reactors, high power lasers, high power electromagnetics, ultra wide band telecommunications, and unmanned surveillance and strike aircraft. He is also co-founder and chairman of the Executive Committee of Cordillera Corporation of Denver, a holding company with principal assets in real estate, gas utilities, and oil and gas production. Previously, Mr. Blue was President and CEO of Beechcraft, where he directed the initial development of the first FAA certified advanced composite aircraft, the Starship. He was also a director of Raytheon Company. From 1980 to 1982, he was managing director and CEO of Lear Fan Limited. From 1977 to 1980, he was with Gates Learjet Corporation, serving as executive vice president and general manager.  There, he was instrumental in defining and developing the winglet configured line of Learjets.

Larry Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc., in South St. Paul, Minn., will join the Foundation’s board of directors this fall. Mr. Williams is Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer, at Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc., in South St. Paul, Minn. BRS develops, engineers and manufactures whole-aircraft recovery parachute systems for use with defense, general aviation and recreational aircraft.  The emergency parachute systems are designed to bring down the entire aircraft and its occupants in the event of an in-air emergency. Since its inception in 1980, BRS has delivered over 27,000 systems that have been installed on general aviation and recreational aircraft throughout the world, and the system has documented 205 lives saved through the deployment of its systems in actual in-air emergencies.

In addition, Shawn A. Dorsch, joined the board of directors in May. Mr. Dorsch is president and chief operating officer, and co-founder of Blackbird Holdings, Inc., a small multi-national electronic trading system for interest rate derivatives in Charlotte, N.C.  Mr. Dorsch is an FAA multi-engine instrument rated pilot with strong contacts in the aviation community in Japan a well as the United States.  He is a member of AOPA, EAA, ICAS, American Bonanza Society, Bonanza Museum Founding Member, US Air Force Association, and the OV-1 Mohawk Association.

“I am extremely pleased to have these gentlemen join our board of directors,” said King.  “We have been working very hard over the last year to add new board members who can continue to position this organization as a leader in the worldwide dialog concerning the environment.  I am confident that Mr. Williams and Mr. Dorsch can help us accomplish this goal.”

Lindbergh Partners Program Announced
The “Lindbergh Partners” program provides corporations with an opportunity to become part of the Lindbergh legacy.  “The Lindbergh Partners program is an effort that achieves two important objectives.  First, contributions from participating corporations are used to support the mission of the Lindbergh Foundation. Second, environmentally responsible companies benefit from the opportunity to align themselves with one of the greatest names in aviation,” explained Foundation Director John King, Co-Chairman of King Schools, Inc.  “For more than 100 years, we pilots and our passengers have enjoyed a unique perspective on the earth.  That same ‘view from the air’ helped shape Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s strong appreciation for the environment and led them to conclude that in order to enjoy our modern technological advancements as well as preserve the environment on which we rely, balance must exist.”  Mr. King went on to announce that Lycoming Engines has become the Foundation’s first Lindbergh Partner.  “We are exceedingly grateful for the support we have received from Lycoming Engines, Jeppesen Sanderson, King Schools, and AircraftOwner magazine, and are confident that these partnerships will be mutually beneficial long into the future,” said King.

The Lindbergh Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Minnesota that encourages innovative technology balanced with the care and protection of our environment.  Its programs are devoted to supporting, honoring, and educating individuals, through the annual Lindbergh Award, Lindbergh Grants program and educational projects.

Source: The Lindbergh Foundation
Pictures Provided courtesy of the Lindbergh Foundation
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