By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 Alabama Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey (R) was awarded the 2016 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Public Service Award last night. The award was given at the AIAA Aerospace Spotlight Awards Gala at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Lt. Governor Ivey said in a statement, “I was truly honored to accept the 2016 AIAA Public Service Award. It is a huge honor to join this distinguished group. The aerospace industry is not only important to Alabama but to our nation. I am proud to have a part in advancing the aerospace industry. Promoting STEM education through our partners in aerospace is vital for preparing the future workforce.”
Lt. Governor Kay Ivey currently serves as the national chair of the Aerospace States Association (ASA), an organization of Lieutenant Governors that represents states’ interest in aerospace.
The AIAA Public Service Award was established in 1986 to honor a person outside the aerospace community who has shown consistent and visible support for national aviation and space goals. The AIAA Chapter in Huntsville nominated the Lt. Governor for her public service as a distinguished leader and stalwart supporter of the aerospace industry and profession in Alabama and throughout the nation.
Lt. Gov. Ivey worked with the Alabama Legislature to create the Joint Legislative Aerospace Caucus to educate Alabama’s legislators on the important role aerospace plays to our state’s economy. In addition, Ivey is the chair of the Military Stability Commission to secure and strengthen Alabama’s military assets. Ivey is committed to promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education by ensuring Alabama student’s participation in the ASA’s Real World Design Challenge.
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the professional society for the field of aerospace engineering. The AIAA was founded in 1963 after the American Rocket Society (ARS) merged with the Institute of the Aerospace Sciences (IAS). The group has 30,000 members.
Kay Ivey is the first Republican woman to serve as Lt. Governor in Alabama. This is Lt. Gov. Ivey’s second term. Ivey would be only the second woman to serve as Governor if Gov. Bentley is removed from office. Ivey was State Treasurer before running for Lieutenant Governor.
