Lindbergh Foundation Announces Two New Board Members

Robert Stangarone, Embraer Vice President of Corporate Communications, North America &
Katie Pribyl, GAMA’s Director of Communications

Kermit Weeks Joins Aviation Green Alliance

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (Nov. 8, 2011) — The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation is pleased to announce the elections of Embraer’s Vice President of Corporate Communications Robert Stangarone and GAMA’s Director of Communications Katie Pribyl to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to have Bob and Katie join the Lindbergh Foundation Board, said Lindbergh Foundation Chairman and CEO Larry Williams. “Their experience as both gifted communicators and respected members of the aviation community will be welcomed in our mission to better the environment through the innovative use of science and technology.  As the Foundation strives to further its aviation-environmental programming, we are confident that their leadership will be valuable additions to our already-influential board.”

Katie Pribyl

Katie Pribyl joined the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) in 2005 where she serves as the worldwide industry spokesperson for the manufacturers of general aviation airplanes, engines, avionics and related equipment.  Prior to GAMA, she was a line pilot on the Canadair Regional Jet (CRJ) with United Express and Independence Air, where she also worked with the company's air carrier certification team for their Delta Connection operation. Katie also worked at the FAA’s National Aviation Safety Data Analysis Center by conducting studies and performing assessments of aviation safety data.

“The history of the Lindbergh Foundation is great,” said Pribyl.  “I hope that my involvement will honor the Lindberghs' pioneering contributions to aviation and the environment and also help further the work of this organization whose establishment was led by General James H. Doolittle and Astronaut Neil Armstrong.  It is a great honor to have been asked to serve on this foundation and I feel an even greater responsibility to preserve the legacy built by those before me.”

Katie is a commercial pilot with 4,000 hours of flight experience and she is also a certificated flight instructor. A native of Montana, Katie graduated from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University at Prescott.

Robert Stangarone

Stangarone is the newly-appointed Vice President of Corporate Communications, North America for Embraer, following a successful stint heading Corporate Communications at Cessna. Stangarone’s earlier career included serving as Managing Editor of Business & Commercial Aviation magazine, in addition to having held senior communications positions with such highly respected companies as United Technologies (Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky), Rolls-Royce North America, and Fairchild Dornier.

“I’ve been an enthusiastic supporter of the Lindbergh Foundation for some time,” Stangarone said. “I’m pleased that the Lindbergh Foundation has the foresight and credentials to undertake such meaningful work.  I look forward to finding new ways to help enhance the Aviation Green Alliance program, as I’m sure the Lindberghs would have heartily endorsed this kind of environmental responsibility.”

Stangarone holds a commercial pilot’s license with instrument and multi-engine ratings, and is type rated in several business jets. As a former flight and acrobatics instructor and charter pilot, he has logged more than 2,000 flight hours.

Aviation Green Alliance Update

The Foundation is also very pleased to recognize Fantasy of Flight President Kermit Weeks as an Aviation Green Alliance (“AGA”) Founder Member.  Weeks joins Foundation Vice Chairman David Treinis and John and Martha King, of King Schools, Inc., as Individual Founding Members of AGA.

The Aviation Green Alliance was formed to support aviation-related companies and individuals committed to proactively addressing matters regarding aviation and the environment. With a stated mission that includes ‘Encouraging solutions, acknowledging progress and communicating ideas,’ the Aviation Green Alliance will create multiple platforms for members to share strategies, findings, progress, and ideas related to addressing aviation’s environmental challenges.

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About The Lindbergh Foundation

The Lindbergh Foundation is a public 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, based in Anoka, Minnesota, which focuses on technological breakthroughs to address significant aviation-environmental issues. The Lindbergh Foundation also values individual initiative and accomplishments.  Its programs are devoted to supporting, honoring, and educating individuals, through three major programs:  the annual Lindbergh Award, presented to individuals for significant contributions toward balancing nature and scientific innovation in their work; the Lindbergh Grants program, which provides grants in amounts up to $10,580 (the cost of building the Spirit of St. Louis in 1927) for research or education projects that will make important contributions to the technology/environment balance; and a variety of educational events including the new Aviation Green Alliance.