The 2011 National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame Inductee Dinner was an outstanding success and a wonderful celebration to honor six skydiving legends!
The second National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame dinner left guests in awe. In addition to the six skydiving legends being inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2011, many of last year’s inductees were also on hand to congratulate their new classmates.
The location, the Historic Terminal A at Reagan Washington National Airport , provided a perfect backdrop for the evening’s festivities. Outside, guests could watch jets coming and going over D.C.’s beautiful skyline. Inside, beautiful floral centerpieces and pink dessert boxes filled with the famous “Georgetown Cupcakes” dressed the tables. The guests were treated to a delicious chicken saltimbocca dinner and the good company of fellow skydivers and friends.
The induction ceremony included a “through the years” slide show for each honoree and then they were presented with a plaque and their official blue blazer embroidered with a Hall of Fame patch. The six inductees were Uwe Beckmann (posthumous), Jacques-André Istel (Felicity, CA), Lenny Potts (Port Orange, FL), Steve Snyder (posthumous), Tee Taylor (Tucson, AZ), and Bill Booth (DeLand, FL). Parachute Industry Association (PIA) generously served as the title sponsor for the dinner. Other sponsors were Pope Valley Parachute Ranch (Reception Sponsor), George and Sue Frey (Dinner Sponsor), Cliff Schmucker (AV Equipment Sponsor), Henry Ottley (Inductees’ Blue Blazer Sponsor), Skydive Dallas (Program Book Sponsor), Philip Chiocchio (Inductee Slide Show Sponsor), and Michael (Kearnsey) Kearns (Centerpiece and Dessert Sponsor). There were also several Gold Table Sponsors: Complete Parachute Solutions, Inc., Sun Path Products, and United Parachute Technologies, LLC. & Vigil USA. Lenny Potts was a Silver Table Sponsor.
2011 Hall of Fame Inductees: from left to right, Kurt Gaebel (accepting on behalf of Uwe Beckmann – posthumous), Bill Booth, Tee Taylor, Lenny Potts, and Barbara Snyder Forer (accepting on behalf of Steve Snyder – Posthumous) not pictured: inductee Jacques-André Istel. Photo by Jerry Irwin
The Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those, who through leadership, innovation and/ or outstanding achievements have defined, promoted, inspired and advanced skydiving at the highest and sustained levels in the past, present and for future generations of skydivers. The Hall of Fame inductees are selected by a nominating committee comprised of museum trustees, representatives from the United State Parachute Association (USPA) and Parachute Industry Association (PIA) governing bodies, and two members of the Hall of Fame. The committee use specific criteria – including leadership, innovation, promotion of the sport, philanthropy and competition. The selection process discussions include how the nominees had contributed to the sport over their lifetimes. Honorees could be alive or deceased.
The fundraiser will benefit the National Skydiving Museum’s $5 million capital program that will raise the necessary funds to build the museum in Fredericksburg, VA. The museum has already acquired the land which is situated adjacent to the U.S. Parachute Association. When completed, the 15,000 square feet National Skydiving Museum will recognize and promote the sport of skydiving through public education and awareness; recognize the contribution to skydiving by its participants, suppliers and supporters; capture forever the history of the sport through is events, equipment and personalities; and enhance aviation safety as it pertains to skydiving. It is expected the museum will draw visitors from throughout the world to experience the thrill of skydiving through its history of people, equipment and events.
To nominate someone for induction into the Hall of Fame, click here 
or contact museum administrator nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org or 540-604-9745.
The 2011 National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame Inductee Dinner was an outstanding success and a wonderful celebration to honor six skydiving legends!
The second National Skydiving Museum Hall of Fame dinner left guests in awe. In addition to the six skydiving legends being inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2011, many of last year’s inductees were also on hand to congratulate their new classmates.
The location, the Historic Terminal A at Reagan Washington National Airport , provided a perfect backdrop for the evening’s festivities. Outside, guests could watch jets coming and going over D.C.’s beautiful skyline. Inside, beautiful floral centerpieces and pink dessert boxes filled with the famous “Georgetown Cupcakes” dressed the tables. The guests were treated to a delicious chicken saltimbocca dinner and the good company of fellow skydivers and friends.
The induction ceremony included a “through the years” slide show for each honoree and then they were presented with a plaque and their official blue blazer embroidered with a Hall of Fame patch. The six inductees were Uwe Beckmann (posthumous), Jacques-André Istel (Felicity, CA), Lenny Potts (Port Orange, FL), Steve Snyder (posthumous), Tee Taylor (Tucson, AZ), and Bill Booth (DeLand, FL). Parachute Industry Association (PIA) generously served as the title sponsor for the dinner. Other sponsors were Pope Valley Parachute Ranch (Reception Sponsor), George and Sue Frey (Dinner Sponsor), Cliff Schmucker (AV Equipment Sponsor), Henry Ottley (Inductees’ Blue Blazer Sponsor), Skydive Dallas (Program Book Sponsor), Philip Chiocchio (Inductee Slide Show Sponsor), and Michael (Kearnsey) Kearns (Centerpiece and Dessert Sponsor). There were also several Gold Table Sponsors: Complete Parachute Solutions, Inc., Sun Path Products, and United Parachute Technologies, LLC. & Vigil USA. Lenny Potts was a Silver Table Sponsor.
2011 Hall of Fame Inductees: from left to right, Kurt Gaebel (accepting on behalf of Uwe Beckmann – posthumous), Bill Booth, Tee Taylor, Lenny Potts, and Barbara Snyder Forer (accepting on behalf of Steve Snyder – Posthumous) not pictured: inductee Jacques-André Istel. Photo by Jerry Irwin
The Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those, who through leadership, innovation and/ or outstanding achievements have defined, promoted, inspired and advanced skydiving at the highest and sustained levels in the past, present and for future generations of skydivers. The Hall of Fame inductees are selected by a nominating committee comprised of museum trustees, representatives from the United State Parachute Association (USPA) and Parachute Industry Association (PIA) governing bodies, and two members of the Hall of Fame. The committee use specific criteria – including leadership, innovation, promotion of the sport, philanthropy and competition. The selection process discussions include how the nominees had contributed to the sport over their lifetimes. Honorees could be alive or deceased.
The fundraiser will benefit the National Skydiving Museum’s $5 million capital program that will raise the necessary funds to build the museum in Fredericksburg, VA. The museum has already acquired the land which is situated adjacent to the U.S. Parachute Association. When completed, the 15,000 square feet National Skydiving Museum will recognize and promote the sport of skydiving through public education and awareness; recognize the contribution to skydiving by its participants, suppliers and supporters; capture forever the history of the sport through is events, equipment and personalities; and enhance aviation safety as it pertains to skydiving. It is expected the museum will draw visitors from throughout the world to experience the thrill of skydiving through its history of people, equipment and events.
To nominate someone for induction into the Hall of Fame, click here or contact museum administrator nkemble@skydivingmuseum.org or 540-604-9745.