Dee Howard Foundation

04/13/2026

Amazon and Amazon Air invested in the future of aerospace talent in San Antonio.

Their $50,000 investment is helping expand drone education and advanced air mobility pathways, hands-on learning, and real-world career pathways for students through The Dee Howard Foundation.

With this support, we are:

• Expanding project-based AAM learning in classrooms
• Strengthening our Future-Ready Aerospace Educator Community of Practice
• Connecting students to real-world applications shaping the future of flight

This is what industry-led workforce development looks like.

Read more: https://www.deehoward.org/news/dhf-news/item/amazon-invests-50000-in-drone-education-and-experiential-learning

East Central ISD | Amazon.com

04/01/2026

Look to the sky and San Antonio!

The future of aerospace is not just happening in space. It is being built right here in San Antonio.

Through partnerships like those at Port San Antonio with Astroport Space Technologies and the WEX Foundation students are gaining real exposure to the work shaping life beyond Earth.

At The Dee Howard Foundation, we are proud to help build that pipeline. When students engage directly with industry, they begin to see their place in it and prepare for the careers that will define the future.

The next generation is not just looking up. They are getting ready to lead right here at home.

03/26/2026

This is a great moment to make your impact go further!

In partnership with the Valero Texas Open, donations to The Dee Howard Foundation will receive a 7% match through the Champions fore Charity program.

That means your support goes even further in helping local students explore aerospace, STEM, and future career pathways.

Every dollar helps us:
✈️ Bring hands-on advanced air mobility programs into schools
🎓 Connect students to real career opportunities
🚀 Inspire the next generation of innovators right here in our community

If you’ve ever thought about supporting our work, this is the time.

🔗 Donate here: https://valerotexasopen.com/championsforecharity/donate?code=TheDeeHowardFoundation

Thank you for being part of building San Antonio’s future.

03/17/2026

Thank you to the Greater San Antonio Chamber for helping share the call for nominations for the 2026 San Antonio Aviation & Aerospace Hall of Fame.

Who in your network has helped shape San Antonio’s aviation or aerospace industry?

Nominations close Friday, March 20.

✈️ Submit a nomination: https://www.deehoward.org/2026-awards-luncheon

The Dee Howard Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2026 San Antonio Aviation & Aerospace Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals whose work and leadership have made a lasting impact on the region’s aviation and aerospace industry.

Each year, the program honors pioneers, innovators, and emerging leaders who continue to strengthen San Antonio’s aerospace legacy and inspire the next generation of talent. Award categories include the Aerospace Legacy Award, Aerospace Industry Impact Award, and the Aerospace Hope for the Future Award.

If you know someone who has helped shape the future of aviation or aerospace in our community, now is the time to nominate them. Nominations are open through March 20, 2026.

Learn more and submit a nomination here: https://www.deehoward.org/2026-awards-luncheon ✈️

03/05/2026

✈️ Nominations Are Now Open!

Do you know someone who has made a lasting impact in aviation or aerospace in San Antonio?

The Dee Howard Foundation is now accepting nominations for the 2026 San Antonio Aviation & Aerospace Hall of Fame. Each year, we recognize leaders who have shaped our region’s aerospace legacy and inspired the next generation.

Award Categories:
• Aerospace Legacy Award
• Aerospace Industry Impact Award
• Aerospace Hope for the Future Award

Join us in honoring the pioneers, innovators, and future leaders who continue to move our community forward.

Submit your nomination by March 20, 2026.

Learn more and nominate today: https://www.deehoward.org/2026-awards-luncheon

12/02/2025

We are proud to share that the San Antonio Express-News published an op-ed highlighting the impact of experiential learning and the growing partnerships that support students across our region.

Written by DHF Executive Director Christopher Mammen, Board Chair Joe Fisher (Hallmark University), and Board Member Tyler Schroeder (Boeing), the piece reflects on this year’s 2025 Dee Howard Foundation Drone Competition, where nearly 250 students from 16 school districts put their skills to work in the nation’s largest K12 drone challenge.

The op-ed also lifts up the importance of industry-led, career-connected learning and the role our partners play in helping students discover what is possible through hands-on experience.

As we look ahead, DHF is committed to expanding opportunities like these and strengthening collaboration with schools, industry, and community partners. Together, we can prepare students not just for what comes next, but for what comes beyond next.

Student drone operators used skills companies identify as critical.

11/18/2025

Congrats to the 2025 Drone Competition Grand Champion - team “Benjamin Franklin” from Loma Alta Middle School in Medina Valley ISD.

11/18/2025

What an incredible weekend for Texas students and the future of aerospace!

Nearly 250 middle and high school students from 15 schools districts came together at the Boeing Center at Tech Port for the 2025 Dee Howard Foundation Drone Competition — the largest K–12 drone competition in the country!

Participating Districts & Schools:
Corpus Christi ISD • Deer Park ISD • East Central ISD • Harlandale ISD • Houston ISD • Judson ISD • Medina Valley ISD • North East ISD • Northside ISD • ResonsiveEd • San Antonio ISD • School of Science and Technology • South San Antonio ISD • Southwest ISD • Stafford MSD

Grand Champion:
🏆 Loma Alta Middle School (Medina Valley ISD) — outstanding work from one of our youngest teams.

A huge thank-you to our partners:
Title Sponsor: Port San Antonio
Education Partner: Iconic Drone Education
Additional Sponsors: Amazon.com • CPS Energy

More photos, videos, and highlights coming soon—stay tuned!

11/11/2025

On Veterans Day, we proudly recognize the brave men and women who have served our nation and those who helped shape San Antonio into Military City, USA.

We are deeply grateful for the many veterans who continue their service through The Dee Howard Foundation as board members, volunteers, mentors, and champions for students. Your leadership strengthens our mission and creates opportunities for young people to explore aerospace pathways and discover their potential.

As we expand awareness of aerospace careers and build education pathways for future innovators, we carry forward the legacy of those who laid the foundation for our region’s aviation and aerospace ecosystem and all veterans whose service, sacrifice, and example protect our freedoms and inspire our future.

Today and every day, we thank you.

09/24/2025

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 San Antonio Aviation & Aerospace Hall of Fame Luncheon!

This year’s luncheon brought together more than 400 leaders, students, and community partners to celebrate our honorees and the impact of aerospace on San Antonio’s past, present, and future.

📽️ Relive the full program and watch the honoree tribute videos

📸 Browse event photos capturing the energy of the day

👉 See the full recap, photos, and videos here: https://www.deehoward.org/2025-awards-luncheon/event-recap

Most importantly, proceeds from the luncheon directly support students and educators through classroom programs, hands-on competitions, and professional development that build future aerospace pathways.

We are grateful to our sponsors, partners, and volunteers who made this record-breaking event possible and helped us raise critical support for students and teachers across our community.

Honorees - Wayne I. Fagan | Joseph Krier | Juan Solis III | Jose Villarreal | Tullos Wells | Kathryn Bolish

Major Sponsors - Port San Antonio | The Boeing Company | 80/20 Foundation | Hallmark University | H-E-B | StandardAero | Truist

Venue - Boeing Center at Tech Port

Emcee - Robert Rivard

09/20/2025

The Dee Howard Foundation joins Port San Antonio and our community in mourning the loss of David Monroe. Our hearts are with our SAMSAT family.

David was a remarkable leader, educator, and innovator whose vision and dedication to lifelong learning touched countless lives. We will continue to honor his legacy of curiosity, his commitment to creating educational pathways, and his gift for inspiring creativity.

Our Port community is deeply saddened by the loss of David Monroe.

David was a force for good who transformed countless lives he touched.

To the Port team, he was a friend and partner who inspired us and, through his beloved SAMSAT and museum team, worked hand in hand in a shared vision to make the world a better place.

To tens of thousands of people—youngsters and adults alike—he was a tireless leader deeply committed to providing opportunities to lifelong learning. He sparked people’s imagination, encouraged their curiosity, and presented innovative and exciting ways to acquire new knowledge and prepare for big futures ahead.

His profile loomed large in our community and across the world for his many accomplishments in the advancement of transformative technologies.

Most of all, we remember him for his constant positive energy, his good humor and ever-humble nature. He led by example and saw the good in every person and the world around him as a place of endless possibilities.

David was an inspiration to us all.

We miss him greatly.