Washington, DC, May 17, 2012 – The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is pleased to announce that Joe Lombardo, Executive Vice President, Aerospace Group, General Dynamics, has been selected to receive the 2012 Cliff Henderson Trophy.
The Cliff Henderson Trophy, which resides at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, was established in 1960 by the National Aviation Club (now part of NAA) to honor the creator and Managing Director of the world-renowned National Air Races from 1928-1939. Henderson’s work in our industry stimulated a generation’s interest in aviation and challenged the state of the art in aviation development.
In that spirit, the trophy is awarded to “a living individual, group of individuals, or an organization whose vision, leadership or skill made a significant and lasting contribution to the promotion and advancement of aviation and aerospace in the United States.”
Lombardo, who served as president of Gulfstream Aerospace from 2007 until 2011, is the executive vice president of the Aerospace Group for General Dynamics Corp. The group consists of Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. and Jet Aviation. Lombardo has served as executive vice president since 2007.
Prior to his appointment in 2007, Lombardo was Chief Operating Officer for Gulfstream. Since October 2001 he also served as a Vice President of General Dynamics Corp.
After starting his aerospace career in 1975 at Douglas Aircraft, Lombardo held leadership roles in production and material control, planning and manufacturing. Before joining Gulfstream, Lombardo was general manager of production for twin-jets atDouglasaircraft Company, a division of McDonnell Douglas Corporation.
Lombardo joined Gulfstream in 1996 as Vice President of Co-Production. He was responsible for the successful ramp-up and dual production of the Gulfstream IV-SP and Gulfstream V. As Chief Operating Officer, he was responsible for the cost, quality and schedule of Gulfstream’s manufactured products.
NAA will present the trophy to Lombardo at the final luncheon of the 2011-2012 NAA Luncheon Series on Tuesday, June 26, 2012, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott. Gene Cernan, the last U.S. Astronaut to walk on the moon, will be the luncheon speaker that day, sharing his thoughts on the “40th Anniversary of the End of Apollo.” To register, please go to for the luncheon, http://naa.aero/html/events/index.cfm?cmsid=110.
The National Aeronautic Association is a non-profit membership organization devoted to fostering opportunities to participate fully in aviation activities and to promoting public understanding of the importance of aviation and space flight to the United States. NAA is the caretaker of several major aviation awards, and certifies all world and national aviation records set in the United States. For information, visit www.naa.aero.
