Edward (Pete) Cleveland Aldridge

Mr. Edward Cleveland Aldridge Jr. was former Secretary of the Air Force, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, Chief Executive Officer, and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. He was scheduled to fly as an astronaut in the late 1980s but his mission was canceled in the wake of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. He served in many senior U.S. Defense Department and defense industry positions, including director of the National Reconnaissance Office, 1981-1988, undersecretary of the Air Force, 1981-1986, and secretary of the Air Force, 1986-1988. From 1989 to 1992 he was president of the Electronic Systems Company division of McDonnell Douglas, and later, CEO of the Aerospace Corporation. He retired from his position as undersecretary of defense in 2003 and accepted President George W. Bush's appointment to chair the Commission on the Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy. He is also a former board member of Lockheed Martin and Sybase Inc. Awards include being a recipient of the  Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award and Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Wright Brothers Memorial Award.