Preston A. Henne

Preston A. (Pres) Henne began his aerospace career in 1969 at McDonnell Douglas, where he managed several advanced programs in aerodynamics and acoustics for both military and commercial aircraft. Known for his work in advanced aerodynamic technology, he was responsible for the aerodynamic design of the wing on the C‐17. Considered the most versatile aircraft in airlift history, the design was recognized with the 1994 Collier Trophy for aeronautical achievement. Henne later served as chief design engineer for the MD‐80 aircraft. In 1991, he became Vice President and General Manager of the MD‐90 program at McDonnell Douglas’ Long Beach Douglas Aircraft facility, where he oversaw the aircraft’s complete development and certiication process.

Joining Gulfstream in 1994, Henne is credited with the design, development, test, and certification of the Gulfstream V aircraft, which was awarded the 1997 Collier Trophy. Henne became a Vice President of General Dynamics in July 1999 when the company acquired Gulfstream. As Senior Vice President of Programs, Engineering and Test, he is responsible for Gulfstream’s product program management, engineering, and light operations. His organization led the development of the Gulfstream 550—which was recognized with the Collier Trophy in 2003—and the Gulfstream 450. His organization is leading the development of the new large‐cabin, mid‐range G280 and the new ultra‐large‐cabin, ultra‐long‐range G650, both of which are in light test. He also has responsibility for advanced design and tech-nology development for future product consideration.

Henne earned a master’s degree in engineering from California State University at Long Beach. He is a member of the Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Engineering Advisory Board, a Fellow of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 2003.

In 2005, the College of Engineering recognized Henne with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Service. Other awards include the AIAA Engineer of the Year Award in 1996 and the AIAA Hap Arnold Award in 2001. He received the 2010 Living Legends of Aviation, Industry Leader of the Year Award, and the 2011 AIAA Aerodynamics Award for his technical contributions in applied and computational aerodynamics. He was recently inducted as a Living Legend of Aviation by the Kiddie Hawk Academy, received an Aviation Week Laureate Award in General/Business Aviation for his contributions to the G650 program, and was presented the AIAA’s highest achievement honor, the Reed Award, for his exemplary leadership in the development, design, testing, and certification of major airplane programs and significant contributions to supersonic boom mitigation.

Degrees

BS Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, 1969