National Aviation Hall of Fame Board of Trustees Announces Interim CEO

The National Aviation Hall of Fame (NAHF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Aimee Maruyama as the interim President & CEO, effective December 22, 2022.

Aimee Maruyama

“Over the past three years, Aimee has worked in tandem with outgoing CEO Amy Spowart,” said Michael Quiello, Chair of the NAHF Board of Trustees. “Therefore, she has important institutional knowledge of our mission and programs. Her experience is key to our transition to new leadership.”

Serving as a consultant to the NAHF on programs, strategy, and development since 2019, Maruyama has over 18 years of experience in strategy development, management, philanthropy, marketing & communications, and event planning. Before working with the NAHF, Maruyama led teams in the higher ed and nonprofit sectors, including Wittenberg University, The University of Dayton, and a national grassroots organization, Mothers Out Front. A lifelong Daytonian, Maruyama is an active community member and former trustee at the Miami Valley School.

“I am deeply committed to the mission and vision of the NAHF. I look forward to working with the NAHF’s talented staff, board, members, and Enshrinees,” said Aimee Maruyama, Interim President & CEO. “Together, we will continue the work to achieve the NAHF’s mission to honor aviation legends to inspire future leaders. The NAHF’s strategy remains on track.”

Working closely with the outgoing CEO, Maruyama co-founded the NAHF’s education program Discovering Flight with the National Aviation Hall of Fame, which combines a pre-K through the 6th-grade curriculum with additional programs, like the Junior Collier Award and key peer partnerships. Maruyama is also pivotal in the ongoing transformation of the NAHF’s permanent learning facility, Heritage Hall and Education Center.

“We are excited that Aimee has agreed to serve in this capacity as we continue implementing our transition plan to find a permanent executive leader,” said vice-chair David Brixey. “The NAHF is committed more than ever to building upon our recent successes and working to achieve our mission to honor and to inspire.”

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.