Don Richardson, an alumnus of Georgia Tech's Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering, has been awarded the 2012 Distinguished Service Award from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).  This is the highest honor that AIAA can bestow to an individual member who has made distinguished contributions to the AIAA over an extensive period of years.

Richardson retired in 2005 as the vice president of Science Applications International Corporation responsible for all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and civil aviation corporate activities. He is a fellow and past president of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), of which he has been a member for nearly 60 years. In addition, Richardson is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and served on its Engineering Council. He was awarded the NASA Public Service Medal in 2002 for his work in reinvigorating U.S. federal funding for aeronautics research and development (R&D).

Richardson holds bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees in aeronautical and mechanical engineering. A commercial instrument pilot with multi-engine land and seaplane ratings, Dr. Richardson has been an active pilot for 60 years. His engineering career has included assignments as an aerodynamics and flight-test engineer, research pilot, and engineering manager.  Richardson also is currently serving as the Chair of the AE School Advisory Council.