MOVING FORWARD FROM AN
unprecedented un precedented year
2020 ANNUAL REPORT
AIR FORCE MUSEUM FOUNDATION BOARD OF TRUSTEES
CHAIR
Dr. Pamela A. Drew VICE CHAIR
Lt Gen C.D. Moore II, USAF (Ret) SECRETARY
CMSAF Gerald R. Murray, USAF (Ret) TREASURER
Brig Gen Paul R. Cooper, USAF (Ret) Col James F. Blackman, USAF (Ret) Mr. John G. Brauneis Mr. Roger D. Duke Ms. Anita Emoff Col Frederick D. Gregory Sr., USAF (Ret) Mr. Benjamin T. Guthrie Mr. James L. Jennings Mr. Scott L. Jones Mr. Ki Ho Kang
Dr. Thomas J. Lasley II Mr. Scott E. Lundy Gen Lester L. Lyles, USAF (Ret) Maj Gen Ted P. Maxwell, USAF (Ret) Maj Gen Brian C. Newby, USAF (Ret) Gen Gary L. North, USAF (Ret) Mr. Edgar M. Purvis Jr. Maj Gen Frederick F. Roggero, USAF (Ret) Mr. Philip L. Soucy CMSgt Darla J. Torres, USAF (Ret) Dr. Andrea Townsend Mr. Randy Tymofichuk EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS
Col Mark N. Brown, USAF (Ret) Mr. James F. Dicke II
Ms. Frances A. Duntz Mr. Charles J. Faruki Maj Gen E. Ann Harrell, USAF (Ret) Col William S. Harrell, USAF (Ret) Mr. Jon G. Hazelton Mr. Charles F. Kettering III Mr. Patrick L. McGohan Lt Gen Richard V. Reynolds, USAF (Ret) Col Susan E. Richardson, USAF (Ret) Gen Charles T. (Tony) Robertson, USAF (Ret) Mr. R. Daniel Sadlier Col James B. Schepley, USAF (Ret) Mr. Scott J. Seymour Mr. Harry W. (Wes) Stowers Jr. Mr. Robert J. Suttman II, CFA
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FROM THE CHAIRMAN
AN UNPRECEDENTED YEAR… I am proud to have been the Chair of your Air Force Museum Foundation Board of Trustees in 2020, a year that none of us will soon forget. One word that we heard over and over was “unprecedented,” as COVID-19 affected all of us in one way or another. Masks, social distancing, and constantly washing our hands became the new normal. Many of us caught the virus. Many of us lost loved ones. Between the first U.S. cases of COVID in January and the hope that came from the availability of the first vaccines in December, the future was uncertain. The future of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ was also uncertain. When the decision was made in March to close the Museum as a public health precaution, we all knew it was temporary. But we had no idea how long “temporary” would be. It was an unnerving time. More uncertainty. Now that I look back on such a tumultuous year, the word that comes to mind is “resilience.” Through it all we always had hope and our secret weapon — you. Through the generous and unwavering support of you — our donors — we were all able to continue to assist the Museum as it carried on its crucial stewardship of the U.S. Air Force story. Throughout 2020 you continued to support us. As you read through this Annual Report, you’ll learn more about the impact made by that support. We found out how long “temporary” would be when the Museum reopened on July 1. The world had changed and so had many of the aspects of a trip to the Museum. But one thing that hadn’t changed was the excitement we felt when we welcomed visitors back to the Museum.
DR. PAMELA A. DREW CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF TRUSTEES AIR FORCE MUSEUM FOUNDATION, INC.
The relationship between the Museum and Foundation continues to evolve in positive ways because of your generous donations, and we look to the future with great anticipation. From all of us at your Air Force Museum Foundation, thank you for everything you do to honor every Airman’s story with a permanent home to inspire future generations.
Pamela Drew
NMUSAF photos
Chief Master Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force JoAnne S. Bass speaks at the Women in the Air Force exhibit opening at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on March 5, 2021. This new exhibit covers historical issues, changes in laws and attitudes, and women’s contributions. Specific women and groups from all eras and various career fields are noted to emphasize the impact women have played in establishing women’s current position in the Air Force.
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FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE NMUSAF
UNCHANGING PURPOSE I am proud that the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ (NMUSAF) and Air Force Museum Foundation staffs had a successful year despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic. We planned and implemented new practices and processes that allowed the museum to open promptly after the Governor of Ohio gave a “green light” to entertainment venues; withstood the test of resurgent infection rates; and allowed the Museum to remain continuously open since July 1, 2020. The Museum remained focused on bringing visitors new and interesting experiences. We rearranged the aircraft in Buildings 3 and 4, setting the foundation for deployment of new exhibits while allowing visitors a more intimate experience with the aircraft. You can once again walk under the XB-70. New exhibits followed, including a striking Global Positioning System exhibit and a display of artifacts highlighting Airmen who support presidential airlift. We formally opened the completed Women’s exhibit in March 2021, including an in-person speech by the current Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, Joanne Bass. We pursued active information campaigns on multiple forums. We live-streamed aircraft moves, drawing followers from Europe to Australia. Ken LaRock (NMUSAF Public Affairs) has been wowing online followers with drone-based videos of the galleries and select aircraft. The education staff conducted several online classes and completely updated our on-line, downloadable lesson plans, a major draw for both parents and teachers. All of this is helping the public see the NMUSAF as a vibrant and living part of their community.
DAVID TILLOTSON DIRECTOR, NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE U.S. AIR FORCE
The NMUSAF has been one of the few entertainment venues consistently available to the public. The result has been a significant expansion in the diversity of visitors from across the region. People who have lived in Ohio all their lives and have never visited are showing up, and more importantly, they are telling their friends to try a visit. I applaud all we have done, but am truly looking forward to what we can do in the future.
Dave Tillotson
AFMF photos
VISION
Honoring every Airman’s story with a permanent home to inspire future generations.
MISSION
Raise funds and awareness to support the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force mission.
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FROM THE CEO
UNDIVIDED, STANDING TOGETHER 2020 was indeed a challenging year. Due to COVID-19, the Museum shut down for three and a half of the busiest months of the year; requiring us to pivot quickly to keep our employees employed, better protect them and the general public when we reopened, and ensuring we were positioned to support the Museum and its program needs in 2021. While we had collectively never seen anything like this before, our resourceful, talented, entrepreneurial team ensured the Foundation and its programs flourished. We were able to reposition our retail store to optimally connect with our visitors, create a culinary program to keep Food Service operation open and financially viable, implement aggressive safety and cleaning protocols to keep theatre/simulators open, and partnering with the Museum keep our newly created events business operational. And the Development team, working with the Museum, implemented a new Entrance Hall experience, to ensure each visitor was welcomed; which exceeded all expectations. More importantly, you, our donor’s rose to meet the challenges with us. If you could only imagine the positive energy of 10,000+ donors around the world letting you know, each and every day, they were with you. Truly inspirational. I am pleased to report that we are well positioned to meet 2021 head-on, and to support Mr. Tillotson and his amazing Museum team as they greet the thousands of visitors who will return.
MICHAEL P. IMHOFF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AIR FORCE MUSEUM FOUNDATION, INC.
And while we were certainly challenged, it was no one person, but the synergy of each of us, standing together that made the difference.
NMUSAF photos
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WOMEN IN THE AIR FORCE EXHIBIT
UNSURPASSED ACHIEVEMENTS As the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment that extended voting rights to women was commemorated last year, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ was in the process of designing, building, and installing a new exhibit entitled Women in the Air Force: From Yesterday into Tomorrow. The exhibit, which officially opened on March 5, 2021, highlights the achievements of women in both civilian and military careers with an emphasis on the U.S. Air Force and its predecessors. The exhibit is actually a series of displays located throughout the Museum’s galleries. They cover historical issues, changes in law and attitudes, and women’s contributions to the Air Force mission. Your generous support was crucial for fabrication of the displays, which contain one-of-a-kind artifacts used by women in the Air Force from many different eras.
NMUSAF photo
One of the exhibit’s most innovative segments is the “Significant Women Silhouette” display. Your donations enabled the Museum to pay for fabrication of the steel silhouettes of famous women aviators like the first woman to fly solo (Blanche Stuart Scott) and the first woman to fly non-stop across the Atlantic Ocean (Amelia Earhart). You also helped the Museum purchase mannequins and lights to create an impressive display of flight suits donated by each of the first 10 female graduates of the U.S. Air Force Undergraduate Pilot Training program.
Senior Airman (later captain) Jennifer Donaldson Weitekamp graduated from Counter Sniper School on April 14, 2001, becoming the Air Force’s, and the U.S. military’s, first female sniper. Here Captain Donaldson Weitekamp poses for a photo next to a silhouette that features her.
The Museum’s staff are very excited about this exhibit. Museum Curator and Collections Curator for the exhibit Krista Dunkman said, “By giving the stories and artifacts of women their much earned place at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, we show young girls that in the future, the Air Force will have a place for them too.” From Jacqueline Cochran in the Early Years gallery, and the WASPs in the World War II gallery, to Maj Susan Helms (first U.S. military woman in space) and Maj Eileen Collins (the first female space shuttle pilot) in the Space gallery, the Women in the Air Force exhibit is packed with stories that will inspire the next generation of female aerospace innovators, thanks to your support.
Liston Photography Photos
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AND THE SECRETS WERE REVEALED
AN UNFORGETTABLE WEEKEND The mantra “We are the keepers of their stories” is at the heart and soul of what the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™ does every day. The stories of the aerospace vehicles on display are its heart, and the stories of the men and women who served in the Air Force are its soul. The Foundation’s donor appreciation event in 2019, celebrating the North American XB-70 Valkyrie, was a resounding success. As planning began for the 2020 event, called Secrets Revealed and featuring the Lockheed SR-71 and U-2, the Museum was once again excited to be able to work with the Foundation on Friday night’s event and to help tell the stories of these aircraft. However, the Museum wanted to expand the scope of the partnership to include all Museum visitors all weekend long. Again, there were exhibit enhancements and curators showing unique artifacts, in addition to visitors being able to look inside the SR-71 cockpit. Most importantly, however, support from donors like you enabled the Museum to host more than 20 former SR-71 and U-2 personnel on Saturday and Sunday as they shared their stories of these exciting aerospace vehicles.
USAF photo
There were several panel discussions over the weekend featuring pilots, reconnaissance systems officers, maintainers, and engineers discussing the capabilities of the aircraft and their experiences working on and flying these amazing machines. And your donations made the highlight of the weekend possible. Col Merryl Tengesdal, USAF (Ret), the first and only Black female U-2 pilot, who flew more than 300 combat hours from Afghanistan to the Horn of Africa, met visitors and answered questions at the U-2 exhibit.
Lt Col Merryl Tengesdal in front of a Lockheed U-2 at Beale Air Force Base, CA. Tengesdal was the first Black female U-2 pilot in history.
This exciting weekend filled with stories of aircraft and the men and women associated with them, exemplified the heart and soul of the Museum. Your generosity made it possible. If you weren’t able to attend last year, or would like to revisit the stories that were shared, you can view two videos of panel discussions from that weekend on YouTube. Simply scan the QR codes below with your smart device to watch, or search for “Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird Lecture.” And thank you again for your support.
2020 FINANCIALS OPERATING UNITS 2020 Operating Expenses from the Air Force Museum Store, Cafés and Attractions exceeded Operating Revenue by almost $1,115,000. 2020 Operating Revenue was 60 percent lower than 2019, with a 29 percent decrease in Operating Expenses over the same period.
OPERATING REVENUE: Other $315,084
Café $44,565
Museum Store $1,369,881
$2,197,144
Attractions $467,614
OPERATING EXPENSES: Café $13,582
Cost of Goods Sold $551,142
General & Admin $440,585 Other $117,376 Advertising/ Marketing $95,090 Attractions Operations $157,378
$3,312,093 Compensation & Benefits $1,936,940
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NON-OPERATING UNITS The Foundation’s non-operating revenue includes donations, investment income and interest/dividends. 2020 Non-Operating Revenue exceeded Non-Operating Expenses by just over $1,600,000. 2020 Non-Operating Revenue was 38 percent higher than 2019, with a 15 percent decrease in Non-Operating Expenses over the same period.
NON-OPERATING REVENUE:
Other $101,834 Investment Income $287,193
$2,732,169
Development $2,343,142
NON-OPERATING EXPENSES: Compensation & Benefits $600,707
Other $94,817
$1,132,039 Museum Program Support $207,644 General & Administrative $146,327
Advertising Marketing $82,544
LEGACY SOCIETY
UNDENIABLY GENEROUS FRIENDS The Legacy Society was established to acknowledge and thank the many friends who have remembered and supported the Air Force Museum Foundation with their future charitable giving and estate planning. Their dedicated support ensures that the Air Force story will be preserved to inspire future generations to service, and to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. If you would like information about planned gift opportunities, or to be included in the Legacy Society, please contact Megan Rehberg at mrehberg@afmuseum.com or 937.751.1571. You can also visit our legacy giving website at afmuseumlegacy.org.
The asterisk below indicates the donor is deceased. Anonymous (7) Jacqueline Adkins Mr. Craig Andrews
Mr. Homer K. Bowen Jr.*
Brig Gen Paul Cooper, USAF (Ret)
Mr. Harold Bragg*
Richard Cronk*
Mr. William Braun
Col Dennis Crouch, USAF (Ret)
John J. Briggs, USAF (Ret)
Maj Gen Terrance L. Dake, USAF (Ret)
Mr. Robert Banks*
Col Mark N. Brown, USAF (Ret)
Edward J. Baraw
David and Trudy Brown
Alfred J. Barbano Jr.
Mr. Don Brown
Mr. Kenneth Bartels
Thomas L. Davis, Trustee, for the LVD Charitable Trust
Mrs. James J. Brown
Evelyn F. Degutis*
Mr. Larry Beaty
MSgt Gerald L. Buit, USAF (Ret)
Laurence Holmes Dorcy Jr.*
Col Jack Buzbee, USAF (Ret)*
Mr. Lawrence Dunn
Albert Pretzinger Beust*
Bruce and Karen Campbell
Pierre R. Fath
Mr. Thomas Henry Blakey*
Robert W. Charni* William G. Coleman
Robert M. and Pamela K. Foose
B. Michael Beck Lawrence Behle* Joanne Bennett*
Mr. Bob Dana
Mr. Adam Elrod Mr. Lloyd Fix
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Joanne Fox Mr. John Gardella Lt Col Robert M. Gelpke, USAF (Ret)
Col Richard M. Hutchins, USAF (Ret)
Allan and Elizabeth Meredith*
Jerry and Marsha Irwin
Richard and Crescent Emma Miller
Ms. Mabel Glaser*
Harold A. and Madeline R. Jacobs*
Dr. Morris W. Goldberg*
Robert C. Jacoby
Mr. Dennis Mueller
Curt and Norma Jerauld
Capt Ronald Nass*
Mr. Edgar B. Gottschalk*
Mr. Richard Johnson
Richard J. and LuAnn W. Noll
Leonard Gramith
Lt Col Paul Kari
Mr. Don Gray Mrs. Renee Gregory Stewart A. Griest Jr.* Ms. Ruby L. Grill*
Ms. Karen Johnson Mr. Everett Kazup* Mr. David Kiefer Lester Ray King Jr.*
Steven M. Miller
Ssgt Frank W. Novak Mr. Joseph O’Brien* Mrs. Andrea Oleksa Charlie Osborn Lt Col Ralph Owens
Mr. James C. Guy*
Mr. Donald Kitterman*
Mr. Michael Hagge
Mr. Fred Koors*
Michael Perigo
Mr. Thomas Haglage
Mr. Anthony Koziol Jr.
Cy A. Pierquet
Lt Col Lawrence Hammond
Lawrence Krupianik
Edward Potter
Lt Col Montgomery Hand, USAF (Ret)
Pete and Rita Lane William D. LaPlace
Laurel and Lawanda Prince*
Mick Hanou CDR Robert P. Harper Jr., USN (Ret) Mr. Paul M. Hawk* Gerald B. Hawkins Jon and Marjorie Hazelton Mr. Robert Hellmers William Henderson*
Mr. Don Leachman John R. Lee Paul H. Lilly, MD, MPH, Col, USAF, MC, CFS, Ret Mr. Gregory Lockhart Mrs. Roberta Loman Lt Col David London, USAF (Ret) Henry Ludwig*
SSgt Lee Patterson
Mr. Michael Prince Mr. Larry Reser Mr. Ronald Resh* Lt Col Richard Rinebolt* TSgt Eugene Robertson* and Col Jean Chambers Mr. Dominick Rucereto
Mr. Robert Sherman* Tim Shermer, Maj (Ret), Raleigh Police Department Robert T. and Mildred L. Smith William Smith Jr. Mr. Thomas Somermeier* Robert and Audrey Sparrow* Earl C. Spohr Jude D. Steele Lt Col Douglas D. Stewart Sr., USAF (Ret)* Robert P. Stewart C. Joseph Styles James Sullivan Lt Col David Sussman, USAF (Ret) Mr. Milo Swanson Jr. Mr. Merrill Thruston* Raymond J. Tomory Barry L. Tracey Charles and Terri Trent Ronald J. Ulishney Mr. Gary Van Deluyster Joseph and Pamela Venditti Robert and Christina Waldvogel*
Mr. Donald Lynch*
CMSgt Albert J. Scheibly, USAF (Ret)*
Richard C. and Cheryl D. Henry
Mr. Eugene Lynch*
James B. Schepley
Walter M. Williams Jr.*
Mr. Philip Mathis
John Scherer*
Mr. Jack Hoffman*
Mrs. Lisa Mayberry
Mr. Paul Schneider
Mr. Jasper Woodroof III
Charles J. Hotaling Jr.*
J. Patrick McCarthy*
James F. Wright*
MSgt David K. Howells*
CMSAF Rodney McKinley, USAF (Ret)
MSgt Gerard Scholl, USAF (Ret)
Mr. Jerry York
Mr. David Schwab
Lt Col William R. Young
Lt Col John R. Henry, USAF (Ret)*
Erik P. Humlie
Mr. Leon Mensing
R. J. Watkins
Jerold T. Selle
Please contact Megan Rehberg at mrehberg@afmuseum.com if you would like to be listed differently.
unwavering un wavering thanks
FROM EVERYONE AT THE FOUNDATION
1100 Spaatz St., PO Box 33624 Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433 | 937.258.1218
The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., is a Section 501 (c)(3) private, non-profit organization incorporated under Ohio law. It is not part of the Department of Defense (DoD) or any of its components, and has no government status. The use of the Roundel image in the Foundation’s logo is with the permission of the United States Air Force (USAF); endorsement by the DoD or the USAF in fundraising activities of the Foundation is not intended nor implied pursuant to DoDI 5535.12. The appearance of DoD visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.