MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (February 14, 2011) - The Lindbergh Foundation announced today that Dean Kamen, noted inventor, educator and pilot, has been selected to receive the prestigious Lindbergh Award for 2011. In addition, the Foundation will recognize GE Aviation as the recipient of its Corporate Award for Balance, and Milbry Polk, Founder and Director Emeritus of WINGs WorldQuest, with the Anne Morrow Lindbergh Award. These Awardees will be honored at the 34th annual Lindbergh Award Celebration and Dinner hosted by SUN 'n FUN on Wednesday evening, March 30 during their 2011 SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo.
Beginning with the inception of the Foundation on the 50th anniversary of the famous transatlantic flight, the Lindbergh Award has been presented annually to individuals whose work has made significant contributions reflecting the Foundation's mission of balancing technology and nature. "Dean Kamen is probably best known as the inventor of the Segway but he is also a talented single-pilot jet jockey and flies all over in his Beachcraft Premier," said Linden Blue, chairman of Spectrum Aeronautical, LLC, and Lindbergh Foundation Board member. "However, our entire Board of Directors was extremely impressed by Dean Kamen's lifelong dedication to helping people lead better lives through breakthrough medical innovations, such as the insulin pump." Blue also noted Kamen's encouragement to young people to consider a future as science and technology leaders through the FIRST® Robotics program, as well as his work on energy and water purification.
The Foundation's Corporate Award for Balance is an honor bestowed on organizations whose concern for the environment and dedication to improving quality of life are demonstrated through their business practices. "GE Aviation's technological innovations have produced tremendous gains in fuel efficiency," observed Larry Williams, Lindbergh Foundation Chairman and CEO of BRS Aerospace. "Their dedication to research and technology that reduce fuel consumption, noise and emissions is exemplary, and certainly worthy of Lindbergh Foundation recognition," he added. "GE's work is an excellent model for other manufacturers to follow."
"GE Aviation is committed to developing new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers' environmental and operating performance," said David Joyce, president and CEO, GE Aviation. "We are honored to receive the Lindbergh Corporate Award for Balance recognizing our accomplishments in this important area." Accepting the Award for GE Aviation will be Lorraine Bolsinger, president and chief executive officer for GE Aviation Systems, LLC.
The Anne Morrow Lindbergh Award is presented for outstanding individual achievement, a spirit of initiative, and great dedication toward making positive contributions to our world. "Milbry's numerous accomplishments as an author and explorer mirror those same talents we appreciated in Anne Morrow Lindbergh," said Daniel Bennett, the Lindbergh Foundation Director and past president of The Explorers Club, who nominated Ms. Polk for this recognition. "The mission of WINGS WorldQuest dovetails nicely with the Lindbergh Foundation because it provides funding and recognition for women explorers, as well as for scientific research and education."
"Dean Kamen, GE Aviation and Milbry Polk each represent the very best of what the Lindbergh Foundation seeks to recognize with our Lindbergh Awards," added David Treinis, an Officer of the Foundation and Chairman of the Awards Selection Committee. "We are pleased and honored to present our Lindbergh Foundation awards to such and outstanding group, and we're particularly excited to be partnering with SUN 'n FUN to produce this year's Awards Celebration Event."
SUN 'n FUN President and Convention Chairman John Burton pointed out that, "With aviation luminaries like John and Martha King, Sean Tucker, Kermit Weeks, and other Board Members representing the Lindbergh Foundation, and an evening full of entertainment and enlightening comments by the Awardees, the Lindbergh Award Celebration is not to be missed. SUN 'n FUN is proud to be hosting this important event, and to support the long-standing tradition of the Lindbergh Foundation."
The 2011 Lindbergh Award Celebration and Dinner will include a cocktail reception, auction, and dinner, followed by presentations by Mr. Kamen, Ms. Bolsinger, and Ms. Polk.
