The National Aviation Hall of Fame’s 2017 Spirit of Flight Award to be Presented to Aviation Career Enrichment, Inc.


MEDIA CONTACT:
Amy Spowart
(937) 256-0944 ext. 11
[email protected]

September 6, 2017
For immediate release

The National Aviation Hall of Fame’s 2017 Spirit of Flight Award to be Presented to
Aviation Career Enrichment, Inc.

Dayton, OH: The Board of Trustees of the National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) is pleased to announce that its coveted 2017 Spirit of Flight Award will be presented to Aviation Career Enrichment, Inc. (ACE) during the 55th Annual Enshrinement Dinner and Ceremony to be held in Fort Worth, TX on October 28th, 2017.

Founded in 1980 by Julius Alexander, ACE, a 501(c)(3), introduces and trains young adults for various careers in aerospace. While ACE primarily serves individuals from disadvantaged, at-risk and minority backgrounds, the inclusive all-volunteer program offers any youth interested in aviation the opportunity to explore this cutting edge field. Many of the students served by ACE would not otherwise be exposed to aviation careers. The opportunity supports dreams and fosters confidence in those served.

Julius Alexander, the founder of ACE, has an extensive aviation background and an insatiable need to educate. Starting a young age, Mr. Alexander was unwavering in his desire to fly and worked hard to make his dreams come true. Alexander worked his way through Tuskegee University, where he met legendary Tuskegee Airman Charles “Chief” Alfred Anderson. Later, at Morehouse College, he simultaneously paid for college and flying lessons. Alexander went on to create nationally recognized cutting edge aviation curricula as an Atlanta public school teacher. Julius Alexander is truly an aviation pioneer.

“Julius is completely dedicated to seeing his students succeed,” explains NAHF President Michael Quiello. “He earned every flying credential, from Certified Flight Instructor to Commercial Pilot to Multi-engine Pilot, to ensure he was giving his students every ounce of instruction he could. He taught until Atlanta Public Schools discontinued aviation classes, then went to work for one of aviation’s best – Lockheed Martin.”

After leaving full-time teaching in the mid-1970’s, Alexander went to work for Lockheed Martin as a publicist. Though his job was demanding, Julius still carved out time to create the aviation program that evolved into Aviation Career Enrichment, Inc. For the small price of three hours every Saturday, interested students received ground school training and related math and physics instruction. Over the last 37 years, ACE has impacted over 1,000 young adults, with dozens of program alums working in aviation today.

“The Spirit of Flight Award recognizes organizations that exemplify the positive utilization of aviation for charitable purposes of service to mankind,” explains NAHF Board Chairman William R. Harris. “Aviation Career Enrichment clearly archives that charge. Because of the selfless determination of Julius, the aerospace field is accessible to more hopeful aviation pioneers.”

The National Aviation Hall of Fame, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, is the only Congressionally-chartered aviation hall of fame in the U.S. The NAHF honors the people: The industry leaders, pilots, aviators, engineers, scientists, astronauts and inventors who have made American aerospace what it is today.

The 55th NAHF’s Annual Enshrinement Dinner & Ceremony is open to the public by advance registration only. Sponsorship opportunities and individual seats are still available, but a capacity crowd is expected. To make reservations or for more information, visit www.nationalaviation.org or call 937-256-0944 ext.19.

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