ANN ARBOR – The Yankee Air Museum announced Monday its 2019 Visionary Award is honoring Destination Ann Arbor for its continuous efforts in improving the community.
Every year, the museum's highest honor is given to those who are forward-thinking and are both making an impact locally and helping propel the museum forward.
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For the first time ever, the Visionary Award is going to an organization.
"The selection of our Visionary Award Recipient is done carefully over time," Kevin Walsh, executive director of the Yankee Air Museum said in a statement. "Destination Ann Arbor, its President, Board of Directors and Staff, collectively, have demonstrated a cohesive, farsighted team that is focused on improving the quality of life for all of us. We are very fortunate to have this organization in Michigan and I am very anxious to present the award at our marquis event, Thunder Over Michigan, on August 3, 2019."
Walsh added that Destination Ann Arbor emerged as a natural choice for this year's award considering its positive and far-reaching change in the community. From its Certified Tourism Ambassador Program to its Community Tourism Action Planning grants, its successful travel writer's program and its recent re-branding, he said the selection committee were impressed with its continuous, robust efforts.
"I am absolutely delighted, excited and humbled all at once," Mary Kerr, president and CEO of Destination Ann Arbor said in a statement. "Destination Ann Arbor is a hard-working team and one that puts the best interests of the community in front of everything we do. We are deeply honored by this recognition."
"Destination Ann Arbor has a clear vision of what Washtenaw County has been, is and can be," added Walsh.
Past recipients of the museum's Visionary Award include:
- Jack Roush, industrialist, automobile racing team principal and accomplished pilot.
- Conrad “Connie” Kalitta, founder and CEO of Kalitta Air, a leading international air cargo carrier and legendary drag racer.
- Bob Lutz, former vice-chairman of General Motors and U.S. Marines A-4 Skyhawk pilot.
About Yankee Air Museum
Established in 1981 the Yankee Air Museum is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. The Yankee Air Museum dedicates itself to educating people through the history of U.S. Military aviation, technology and home front efforts while inspiring generations through personal experiences to instill pride in our national accomplishments.
Yankee Air Museum, located at 47884 D Street, Belleville, Michigan on the grounds of historic Willow Run Airport, is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Visit www.yankeeairmuseum.org to discover more about us and how we are working to preserve local history with the www.SavetheBomberPlant.org campaign. For more information, call 734-483-4030.
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