One of the highlights of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s annual Aviation Summit is the presentation of the Carol B. Hallett Award, and this year’s recipient, Allan McArtor of Airbus Group, Inc. took center stage on Thursday.
As Chairman and CEO of Airbus Group, McArtor oversees the operations, activities and strategy of all Airbus Group companies in the United States, Canada and Latin America.
Here are some great things to know about Allan McArtor:
What came before Airbus? McArtor was the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Legend Airlines, a regional airline based in Dallas Love Field, Texas. He served on the senior management team of Federal Express Corporation from 1979-1987 as well as 1989-1994, first as the Senior Vice President Telecommunications, then as Senior Vice President Air Operations for FedEx’s global airline. President Ronald Reagan appointed McArtor to serve as the Administrator of the FAA from the years 1987-1989. McArtor also served a series of leadership and management positions in the military, civil and government sectors, and was a combat fighter pilot in Vietnam from 1968-1969, as well as an Associate Professor of Engineering Mechanics at the Air Force Academy, and a pilot with the U.S. Air Force’s Thunderbirds Aerial Demonstration Team.
What other honors has he received? In 2009, McArtor was awarded the Air Traffic Control Association’s Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award for outstanding lifelong achievements by any individual in the field of aviation. He was also recognized in October 2010 by The Wings Club, and was honored with the 2010 Distinguished Achievement Award, acknowledging his outstanding accomplishments in the field of aviation.
What is he involved with now?McArtor is a member of The Group Executive Committee of The Airbus Group S.A.S. and also serves on the Board of Directors for Air Force Academy Athletic Corporation, The European Institute, GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, Kymeta Advisory Board, the NextGen Advisory Committee, Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum and Washington Area Airports Authority. His civic and charitable involvement includes the Air Force Memorial Foundation Board of Trustees, Camp Soaring Eagle, The Falcon Foundation, Sabre Society and the St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital Professional Advisory Board.
Where did he receive his education? McArtor graduated in 1964 from the U.S. Air Force Academy, where he was the Cadet Wing Commander, and holds a master’s degree from Arizona State University. He holds an honorary doctorate degree from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee, in recognition of his role in establishing the School of Telecommunications and Information Systems.
