FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Sarah Levanti
(321) 634-4730
SLevanti@SpaceCoastEDC.org

Weatherman awarded ‘Distinguished Public Service Award’ by Department of the Air Force

Award is highest issued by Air Force to non-employee civilian

 

Florida’s SPACE COAST, Fla. (May 6, 2024) –The Department of the Air Force presented its Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest award issued by the Air Force to a non-employee civilian, to Lynda L. Weatherman, President and CEO of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC).

To be considered by the Secretary of the Air Force for this honor, a civilian must have made a profound contribution at the national level that is representative of substantial progress in fulfilling the Air Force mission.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Department of the Air Force’s Distinguished Public Service Award,” said Weatherman. “This recognition serves as a testament to the collaborative efforts of the EDC and our commitment to supporting and advocating for military initiatives on a national scale.”

 “Lynda is truly deserving of this high-level recognition,” wrote Jerry Renne, Director of Public Affairs, Department of the Air Force. “A true civic leader, her dedication and patriotism to both the U.S. Air and Space Force has been integral to the success of both programs.”

As a member of the Air and Space Forces Civic Leader Program, appointed by the Secretary of the Air Force, Ms. Weatherman served as a Department of the Air Force champion, connecting her regional and professional communities to the Air Force and Space Force through her expertise in military operations and civilian socioeconomic issues. In addition, she advised senior Air Force and Space Force leaders on the development of national and international military programs as well as facilitated cooperation between civilian communities and Department of the Air Force entities to ensure each program’s success.

Over her career, Ms. Weatherman has openly communicated information about Air Force and Space Force missions and requirements to the American public, increasing awareness and understanding among local, regional, national and international audiences. Ms. Weatherman’s concern for Airmen, Guardians and their families, as well as her desire to facilitate communities’ service to those service members, was essential to her stewardship of an enduring relationship between the Department of the Air Force and the Nation.

Ms. Weatherman is one of only sixty-six individuals to win the Air Force Distinguished Public Service Award.  This places Ms. Weatherman in a unique position to have received two prestigious national honors for her work; as in 2007, she was honored with the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the highest honor NASA awards to both government and non-government employees.

IMAGE: TOP: Performing the Duties of Undersecretary of the Air Force Kristyn Jones (left) presents the Distinguished Public Service Award to Lynda Weatherman (right) during an award ceremony, Joint Base Andrews, Md. (Air Force Photo by Andy Morataya) BOTTOM: The Distinguished Public Service Award for Lynda L. Weatherman.

###

About the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast
The Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast (EDC) is dedicated to attracting new business and investment and expanding existing industry throughout the Space Coast, influencing change on government laws and regulations affecting economic development, promoting the Space Coast to encourage new investment, supporting efforts of Space Coast military installations, and relaying new programs and procedures to assist manufacturing and high-tech companies. The EDC is a private, not-for-profit coalition whose stakeholders are business leaders committed to the economic growth and stability of Florida’s Space Coast. Visit www.SpaceCoastEDC.org.