SEATTLE — The Museum of Flight, which honors outstanding contributors to the art and science of aeronautics through its annual Pathfinder program, has chosen Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and renowned restorer of antique aircraft Addison Pemberton, as this year’s honorees.
The annual Pathfinder Awards Dinner will be held at the museum Oct. 22.
Pemberton and Bezos were selected by a committee of 16 aviation and space organizations from the government, private sector, academia and nonprofits including The Museum of Flight, each entitled to one vote. Student interns from Raisbeck Aviation High School work with the Museum Pathfinder Committee and staff members after the selection process to meet with the inductees, write their biographies, and help plan the Pathfinder Awards ceremony.
Jeff Bezos
As the founder and CEO of Amazon, and also the founder of Blue Origin and Bezos Expeditions, Jeff Bezos is best known for revolutionizing e-commerce. But he is also committed to the development of low-cost, reusable private space flight technology.
According to museum officials, he is a perfect manifestation of a Pathfinder: A pragmatic and visionary businessman implementing technology for the present and future benefit of humankind.
Addiston Pemberton
An avid restorer of antique airplanes and co-owner of Scanivalve Corporation, Addison Pemberton brings aviation’s past into the present while helping engineers develop airplanes of the future.
Pemberton’s enthusiasm for his craft, strong leadership ability and charismatic personality make him an exemplary Pathfinder, museum officials noted.
Addison Pemberton does excellent restoration work. Fortunately his projects are an iconic history of “birds of past eras. And he flies them, letting admirers view them as they should be seen – stretching their wings above the countryside.
Ann Pellegreno