As President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum for 20 years, Jim Kidrick has spearheaded the remarkable transformation of the Museum into one of the premier aero-themed destination experiences in the world, and honored our Space pioneering Astronauts and Flight Directors more than any other museum in the World. The Museum is American Alliance of Museums accredited, a Smithsonian Affiliate and California’s “Official Air & Space Museum and Education Center.” Kidrick has a significant background in the aviation and the aerospace industry. He is a retired Navy Commander and fighter pilot primarily flying the A4 Skyhawk and A7E Corsair with over 4,250 accident free hours and hundreds of carrier landings flying from the decks of our Navy’s aircraft carriers, serving for 21 years. He is also a FAA rated commercial, instrument and multi-engine pilot. Jim has exceptional special event production experience and founded the Naval Air Station Fallon Airshow in 1988 (and remains an International Council of Airshows member) and produced San Diego Bayfair, the Unlimited Hydroplane Races and Beach Festival in San Diego: which was selected as the National Race Site of the Year and Management Team of the Year three times, more than any other site in the country. He led a team of talented engineers as Senior Program Manager for L3/Titan Corporation as a member of the company’s Defense Programs Division - Senior Leadership Team and as Director of the Electronic Combat Range, China Lake, California. Jim continues to lead the Museum and participates in multiple, significant regional and national organizations of importance to Aviation and Space.
Inducted in 2025.
Portrait Location: Not Currently on Floor

Induction Video