The San Diego Air & Space Museum’s President & CEO Jim Kidrick has been selected as one of the San Diego Business Journal’s 2022 Top 50 Influential Veteran Business Leaders.

“I am honored to be named one of San Diego’s Top 50 Influential Veteran Business Leaders by the San Diego Business Journal,” said Kidrick. “We pride ourselves at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in thanking and serving those who serve this great country, whether it is through discounted admission for retired military or free admission for active-duty military. As a former naval aviator, I have a responsibility and commitment to give back to the men and women who have dedicated their lives to preserving and protecting the freedoms we enjoy every day of our lives.”

In this role as President & CEO of the Museum he is responsible for the fundraising and management of one of our nation’s most significant aero-themed institutions. The Museum is American Alliance of Museums accredited, a Smithsonian Affiliate and California’s “Official Air & Space Museum and Education Center.” 

Kidrick joined the Museum as the Foundation’s Executive Director in January of 2006 and still fills that role, and is also the President of the San Diego Air & Space Technology Center (Wind Tunnel), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Museum. He became President & CEO of the Museum in March of 2007.

Kidrick has over 25 years of non-profit leadership as an Executive Director or President and led the most successful family festival/powerboat competition in the country, San Diego Bayfair’s World Series of Powerboat Racing. The event was chosen National Race Site of the Year three times, and received numerous other awards such as National Management Team of the Year and Most Outstanding Production/Promotion. Kidrick also was honored personally for his outstanding contributions nationally to the sport of powerboat racing. Additionally, he founded the Fallon Air Show as its Director for five years and was Event Manager for the Kern County Air Show for six years.  Mr. Kidrick also produced the San Diego Grand Prix and the Jet Ski World Championships.

He has an extensive aviation background, and is a retired Navy Commander, a fighter pilot for 21 years with over 4,250 accident free hours of military flight time flying from our Navy’s aircraft carriers. He is also an FAA rated commercial, instrument and multi-engine pilot. Kidrick has a significant background in aviation, and the aerospace industry. He worked 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. He also is an experienced defense and corporate consultant, representing Booz Allen Hamilton before he was offered and accepted the position with the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

Kidrick is a native of Washington State, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Puget Sound and advance courses on aviation safety from the Navy Post Graduate School, Monterey. He has lectured and consulted on special event development and operation, including sponsorship creation and return-on-investment strategies. Kidrick is a proponent of advancing programs, which encourage our nation’s youth to pursue the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) academic disciplines.