Arlington, VA, September 15, 2000 – Thomas J. McKee of Fairfax Station, Virginia, was named the new National Chairman of the Board at the recent Air Force Association National Convention and Aerospace Technology Exposition, held in Washington, D.C., September 11-13, 2000.

McKee had been serving, since 1998, as National President of the 150,000-member Association. McKee has also served as Chairman of the Board of the Aerospace Education Foundation (AFA’s educational affiliate), an Under-40 National Director of the Air Force Association, AFA National Secretary, chairman of both AFA’s Resolutions Committee and Industrial Associate Task Force, and as a member of its Executive and Communications committees. 

At the grass-roots level, he has been as active member of AFA’s Iron Gate Chapter, located in New York City, previously serving as Chapter Vice President, President, and Chairman of the National Air Force Salute Foundation.  He is also a trustee on several boards including the Air Force Memorial Foundation, Falcon Foundation at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs and the College of Aeronautics in New York.

McKee’s awards include New York State AFA’s Exceptional Service Citation, AFA’s Exceptional Service Award, and AFA’s Presidential Citation. He has twice been designated an AEF Doolittle Fellow in Recognition of his seven years as Chairman of the National Air Force Salute Committee.

After commissioning into the Air Force through Officer Training School and earning his pilot wings at Reese AFB, Texas, McKee served as a T-38 instructor and check pilot at Williams AFB, Arizona. He later transferred to the Tactical Air Command (TAC) where he flew the A-7D Corsair II while assigned to Myrtle Beach AFB, South Carolina.  After seven years of service, he separated from the Air Force and began a career in the defense industry.

Working for the Grumman Aerospace Corporation in Bethpage, NY, as a customer requirements representative for Air Force programs, McKee advanced to the position of Director of Air Force Requirements, and was transferred to Grumman’s Washington Operations where he was elected a corporate vice president. In 1994, McKee became responsible for executive-branch customer relations for the Northrop Grumman Corporation.

McKee earned a B.A. of Political Science from Southeast Missouri State University and completed the Emerging Executives Program at Pennsylvania State University in 1983.  He is married to the former Patricia Rizzuto from Midland Park, NJ, and they have three children, Michelle, Catherine, and Thomas Jr.

LOCAL CONTACT:  Melissa Braxton,  Assistant for News and Information
                                    (703) 247-5843, mbraxton@afa.org