E.C. “Pete” Aldridge with the first Aerospace Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award

College Station, TX: E.C. “Pete” Aldridge ‘60 received the first Aerospace Engineering Distinguished Alumnus Award last night at a reception held at the Miramont Country Club. He also received The Association of Former Students Distinguished Alumnus Award for 2009. These awards recognize his numerous accomplishments in a career of exceptional nationally important service and leadership. The event was attended by a number of University leaders including President Murano, and also nationally prominent colleagues, including former NASA Administrator Michael Griffin. Also in attendance were eight of the first eleven Aerospace Engineering undergraduate recipients of the E.C. “Pete” Aldridge Scholarships.

A brief bio of the honoree follows:

Edward C. “Pete” Aldridge, Jr. Class Year 1960 Retired, serves on several corporate boards, including Lockheed Martin Corporation Presently resides in Arlington, VA

Hometown: Houston, TX Date of Birth August 18, 1938

Spouse’s Name: JoAnne K. “Jody” Aldridge

Education:

Texas A&M University (1956-60), BS Aeronautical Engineering, 1960 Georgia Institute of Technology (1960-61), MS Aeronautical Engineering, 1962

Involvement as a Texas A&M University Student:

Member Corps of Cadets, AFROTC Group Sergeant Major, Member Institute of Aerospace Sciences, Member Tau Beta Pi, Treasurer-Sigma Gamma Tau, Member Shreveport Hometown Club

Career:

-Retired from Government Service and Industry in May 2003 -Special Advisor to the Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC, 2003 -Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics), Washington, DC, 2001-2003. A Presidential Appointee Position

-President/CEO, The Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA, 1992-2001 -President, McDonnell Douglas Electronic Systems Co., McLean, VA, 1988-1992 -Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC, 1986-1988. A Presidential Appointee Position.

-Astronaut Training for 1986 Shuttle Launch (cancelled as a result of Challenger Accident), Houston, TX, 1985-1986 -Under Secretary of the U.S. Air Force, Washington, DC, 1981-1986. A Presidential Appointee Position.

-Director, National Reconnaissance Office, Dept. of Defense, Washington, DC, 1981-1988 -Vice President, Systems Planning Corp., Roslyn, VA, 1977-1981 -Director, Office of Planning and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, DC, 1974-1977 -Manager, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President, Washington, DC, 1973-1974 -Manager, LTV Corporation, Grand Prairie, TX, 1972-1973 -Operations Research Analyst, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Systems Analysis), Washington, DC, 1967-1972 -Advisor, Strategic Arms Limitation Talks, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Helsinki, Finland and Vienna, Austria, 1970-1972

-Advanced Systems Engineer, Douglas Aircraft Co., Santa Monica, CA, 1961-1967

Professional Attainment and Achievement

-Achieved Leadership Positions in Government (Secretary of the Air Force, Under Secretary of Defense) and the Aerospace Industry (President and CEO positions in McDonnell Douglas and The Aerospace Corporation)

-Was responsible for the acquisition and support strategies and policies of all weapon systems by the Dept of Defense—to include the technology and industrial base–including management of four major Defense Agencies: Missile Defense Agency, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, and the Defense Acquisition University,

-Led the Efforts for “Transformation” of the Dept. of Defense, initiated by Secretary of Defense Don Rumsfeld.

-Directed a Joint Capabilities Planning Study, focused on improved “joint” military force planning process within the Dept. of Defense, requested by the Secretary of Defense.

-Was considered as “Mr. Space” in the Dept of Defense and Intelligence Communities -Established the “Mixed Fleet” Space Launch Strategy Resulting in Assured Access to Space after Challenger and Other Launch Accidents

-Was the longest serving Director of the National Reconnaissance Office (8 years), the organization responsible for developing, launching and operation of intelligence and reconnaissance satellites for the United States.

-Named by President Bush as Chairman, President’s Commission on Implementation of the U.S. Space Exploration Policy (the Moon to Mars Exploration Vision)

-Served on key government advisory boards and commissions—the Defense Science Board, NASA Advisory Committee on the Future of the U.S. Space Program, National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee, and National Space Council Space Policy Advisory Board.

-Named by the Secretary of Defense to lead a Planning and Evaluation Office, tasked with developing the Five Year Defense Plan for the Dept. of Defense.

-Led professional organizations, as President and Honorary Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, President of Security Affairs Support Organization, and Chairman, High Technology Council of the Economic Development Corp. of Los Angeles.

-Made numerous speeches during government service and industry employment, including congressional testimony supporting government programs and policy.

-Professional experience has led to being elected to serve currently on the Boards of Lockheed Martin Corp., Global Crossing Ltd., and Alion Science and Technology. Past board memberships includes: United Industrial Corp., C. S. Draper Laboratories, ERIM International, Sybase, Inc., the National Space Club, Air Force Falcon Foundation and the U.S. Space Foundation.

-Academic memberships include: Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Gamma Tau, and Sigma Xi.

-Elected as Honorary Member of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, air demonstration team.

-Listed below are the numerous awards presented:

–Elected a Member of the National Academy of Engineer, 2007 –Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, Awarded by the National Aeronautic Association, 2005 –U.S. Space Foundation James Hill Lifetime Achievement Award, 2005 –College of Engineering Honor Alumnus, Texas A&M, 1985 –Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor, Texas A&M, 1998 –Georgia Institute of Technology Engineering Hall of Fame, 1996 –National Aeronautic Association Wright Brothers Award, 2005 –Ronald Reagan Missile Defense Award, 2007 –U.S. Space Foundation Lifetime Space Achievement, 2005 –American Astronautical Society Lifetime Achievement, 2004 –NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, 2004 –Secretary of Defense Civilian Service Award, 1972 –Dept. of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award, 1975 –Dept. of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award, 1977,1987,1988,2003 –Air Force Exceptional Civilian Service Award, 1986,2003 –Air Force Association W. Stuart Symington Award, 1988 –Air Force Association General Bernard Schriever Award, 1986 –Air Force Academy Foundation Distinguished American Award, 1987, 1988 –Army Distinguished Civilian Service Award, 1988, 2003 –Navy Distinguished Public Service Award, 1988, 2003 –Rotary National Award for Space Achievement, 1993 –Scientific American Top 50 Award, 2004 –National Space Club Robert H. Goddard Trophy, 1987 –National Defense Industrial Association Bob Hope Award, 1997 –National Guard Association Harry S. Truman Award, 1988 –National Security Industrial Association General James Hartinger Award, 1987 –American Aeronautical Society Military Astronautics Award, 1985 –National Intelligence Distinguished Service Award, 1989 –American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Goddard Astronautics Award, 2004 –International Society of Logistics Jack Williams Space Logistics Medal, 2004

-A “Google” search on the internet will reveal over 55,000 articles on career accomplishments and personal news events.

-The Aerospace Corporation headquarters building in El Segundo, CA is named after Mr. Aldridge

Community Service and Participation

-Co-chairman, Capital Campaign Committee, Air Force Memorial Foundation, completing the effort on the construction of the Air Force Memorial at Arlington Cemetery.

-Member of Advisory Committee, Shreveport/Bossier Community Renewal, raising funds and developing projects for local area improvements and renewal.

-Served as Trustee, U.S. Air Force Falcon Foundation, supporting educational opportunities for future students at the Air Force Academy.

-Served on the Board of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Foundation, an organization responsible for funding and improving educational opportunities for future math, science and engineering students.

-Former member of the board of the Wolf Trap Foundation, supporting the performing arts.

-Sponsored a scholarship at Italy High School, TX, in my wife’s name to enhance continued educational opportunities for graduating seniors, and made donation to Byrd High School in Shreveport, LA, to enhance math and science education.

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