Avionics News November 2012 - 8

AEA Mourns Loss of Former Association President and Industry Icon, Monte R. Mitchell

liability faced by aviation manufacturers, and production The Aircraft Electronics Association is deeply saddened by gained momentum from its lowest levels. The cost of the passing of Monte R. Mitchell, former president of the assoliability insurance had previously reduced the investment ciation and a legend in the avionics industry, who served nearly into research and development by general aviation manu40 years in the general aviation industry. Born Feb. 6, 1929, in facturers. Mitchell led the AEA’s efforts to help pass the Quincy, Mo., he passed away Oct. 16, 2012, in Lee’s Summit, landmark piece of legislation. Mo., at the age of 83, following a brief illness. Mitchell also led the establishment of the AEA Educational Mitchell served first as the AEA executive director, then as Foundation to help promote careers in the aviapresident of the association from 1977 to 1996. He tion maintenance industry. Since its inception received the 2007 AEA Lifetime Achievement in 1990, the AEA Educational Foundation has Award during a ceremony at the 50th annual awarded more than $1 million in educational AEA International Convention & Trade Show scholarships to students. in 2007, at the Grand Sierra Resort Theater in Mitchell was united in marriage on Feb. 14, Reno, Nev. The AEA Lifetime Achievement 1954, to JoAnn Ryan Mitchell. She preceded Award is presented for exemplary service to the him in death on Aug. 16, 2000. Together, they general aviation industry and is the highest honor had three daughters: Debra McFarland, Paula bestowed upon an individual by the AEA board Derks and Lisa Lufft; three son-in-laws; and of directors. six grandchildren. Two of his daughters, Debra Mitchell’s career in aviation began in 1956, Monte R. Mitchell McFarland and Paula Derks, followed in Mitchell’s when he joined Wilcox Electric Co., a transponfootsteps. Currently, they help lead the AEA with Derks der manufacturer. When he left Wilcox in the mid-1970s, serving as president and McFarland as executive vice presiMitchell became vice president of marketing at a new face in dent. In addition, one of Mitchell’s grandchildren, Lauren the aviation manufacturing industry, Bonzer, where he was McFarland, serves the AEA as manager of marketing and responsible for marketing its line of radar altimeters. advertising, making three generations of family service to the In 1977, Mitchell was recruited for the position of execuassociation. tive director of the AEA. Up to 1977, a volunteer staff manA U.S. Army veteran, Mitchell served his country in the aged the AEA. Realizing the potential for growth and the Korean War. He was a deacon and member of the Noland work involved, the board of directors decided to hire a fullRoad Baptist Church in Independence, Mo. time, paid staff to properly grow the AEA. “I know from personal experience that Monte Mitchell During his tenure as AEA president, Mitchell tripled the devoted his entire professional career to serving the general membership size and introduced new programs and services aviation avionics industry,” said Paula Derks, AEA presito the members, including the EEDirect equipment exchange dent, and one of Mitchell’s three surviving daughters. “He program and the annual AEA Rate & Labor survey, and he was respected and trusted by aviation professionals, and his quadrupled the size of the association’s monthly magazine, knowledge and dedication to avionics made him a powerful Avionics News. leader in our industry. He truly loved serving and guiding the Under Mitchell’s leadership, the AEA reached beyond vision and mission of the AEA, and he will be dearly missed North American borders and hosted the first AEA Europe by so many friends and family.” Regional Meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1987. Today, A memorial website is available for family and friends to AEA membership reaches every corner of the world in more leave a tribute at www.montemitchell.forevermissed.com. than 40 countries. Memorial donations may be made to the AEA Educational On Aug. 17, 1994, Mitchell stood next to President Foundation; 3570 NE Ralph Powell Road; Lee’s Summit, Bill Clinton inside the Oval Office of the White House MO; 64064. For more information, contact the AEA during a signing ceremony, as Clinton signed the General headquarters at 816-347-8400. q Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994. The law reduced the

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Avionics News November 2012

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