SEATTLE, Sept. 28, 2009--The Museum of Flight honors Pacific Northwest individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of the aerospace industry with its annual Pathfinder Award. The 2009 honorees, Dr. James Joki and Mr. John Roundhill will receive their awards at a fund raising banquet at The Museum of Flight on Saturday, Oct. 10.
Dr. James Joki
Dr. James Joki was one of NASA's outstanding engineers. He contributed prominently to the development of the Apollo program Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU)--space suits and life support backpacks--as a designer and flight controller. The highlight of Dr. Joki's NASA career was during Apollo 11--July 20, 1969--ensuring the astronauts' EMUs were fully functioning for extravehicular activities on the moon.
After receiving a degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering at the University of Washington, Dr. Joki applied to NASA for a flight control position in Houston, Tex. His enthusiasm and interest in space medicine directed him towards the EMU. He designed, developed, and tested the product with his colleagues, assessing the EMU through experiments simulating zero gravity and deep space conditions. Part of his work was to analyze the EMU and space suit performance flying parabolic trajectories in NASA's infamous "vomit comet."
Joki's work at NASA inspired a transition from engineering to medicine. First he attained a Master's degree in physiology, then eight years of medical school and residency to become an MD. He is now an OB-GYN doctor practicing at Northwest Hospital in Seattle-recognized in 2009 by Seattle magazine as one of the city's top OB-GYNs. He continues to be a community figure seeking to educate and inspire local youths about the exploration of space.
Mr. John Roundhill
John Roundhill began his 37-year career at Boeing in 1965 as a research specialist in acoustics and propulsion technology. He has succeeded in numerous technical and management positions including those of chief engineer of product development technology for the 737 and 757. Roundhill also worked on the development of new 767 derivatives; preliminary design, evolving customer configurations and relationships, development and marketing of the 777 program to its "launch" customers. His leadership was a role in the creation of 747-400s derivatives and concepts in the New Large Airplane Development project. During his last five years at Boeing, he served as vice president of Product Strategy and Development for the Commercial Airplane Group, where his team contributed to various new airplane programs such as the 777, 747-8 and the 787.
Since his retirement in 2002, Roundhill remains an active participant in the Boeing 787 programs and product development. He travels to Seattle from his home in northwest Montana where he enjoys restoring antique cars as a hobby. Roundhill's innovations will influence future developments in aviation as his contributions inspire future generations of engineers.
Pathfinder Award Honorees
The Pathfinder Award honorees are selected by the Museum of Flight Board of Trustees from among nominees chosen by the Museum, the Pacific Northwest Section of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and representatives of other aviation and aerospace organizations and companies throughout the Northwest.
A wall of honor featuring photos of all Pathfinder Award recipients is on view in the Museum's WilliamM.AllenTheater lobby.
For more information about the Pathfinder Award, see: http://www.museumofflight.org/exhibits/pathfinders
To visit the interactive Pathfinder Awards database, see: http://www.museumofflight.org/files/video/PathFinders/
Tickets are available to the Pathfinder Awards Banquet. For reservations call 206-764-5709.
Images: First, Dr. James Joki; second, Mr. John Roundhill. Photos courtesy the individuals.
### The Museum of Flight is located at 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle, Exit 158 off Interstate 5 (on Boeing Field between downtown Seattle and SeaTac Airport.) The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $14 for adults, $13 for seniors 65 and older, $10 for active military, $7.50 for youth 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Group rates are available. Admission on the first Thursday of the month is free from 5 to 9 p.m. courtesy of Wells Fargo. For general Museum information, please call 206-764-5720 or visit www.museumofflight.org.
Ted Huetter
PR and Promotions Manager
206.768.7105
PR Assistant
206.768.7128
