Air Force Museum Foundation Introduces New CEO
Rorie Cartier, PhD, to take over effective August 4.
Dayton, Ohio– July 22, 2022 — The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., (AFMF) formally announced today the appointment of Rorie Cartier, PhD, as the Chief Executive Officer, effective August 4, 2022. The Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds and awareness in support of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™. Cartier was previously the Executive Director of the Patriots Point Development Authority in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina.
In his new role, Cartier will ensure the Air Force Museum Foundation’s continuing strong support of, and relationship with, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The Foundation has funded 94% of the more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space in addition to annual program support. Cartier will lead the Foundation in assisting the Museum into the future as technology changes the way visitors experience and interact with exhibits, and the ways the Museum shares the incredible stories and artifacts at the world’s largest military aviation museum with the public.
Lt Gen C.D. Moore, USAF (Ret), Chair of the Air Force Museum Foundation Board of Trustees, made the announcement. “I am pleased to welcome Rorie Cartier as our new Chief Executive Officer. Rorie brings a wealth of leadership and national museum management experience to this important CEO role. We are confident Rorie will guide the Foundation to greater levels of financial growth, support, and impactful advocacy for the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.”
Prior to his tenure with Patriots Point Cartier served as the Museum Director and Chief Operating Officer at the National Museum of the Pacific War, in Fredericksburg, Texas. Cartier also worked in membership and development at the Admiral Nimitz Foundation and the National World War II Museum and spent several years teaching at the university level. A native of New Orleans, Cartier holds a doctorate in history from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.
“I am very excited and honored to be joining the Dayton community and continuing the important and impactful work that the AFMF does in support of the National Museum of the United States Air Force,” Cartier said on accepting the position. “I am looking forward to helping preserve and present the legacies of the men and women who have served in the Air Force, and their enduring contributions to our society.”
Mr. David Tillotson, Director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, lauded the decision. “Dr. Cartier has an impressive background in both academia and professional museum experience. His strong passion for history, experience in military history museums, and leadership are just the combination needed to head the Air Force Museum Foundation. I look forward to building a strong partnership with Dr. Cartier as we both work to share the Air Force's history and heritage and bring new experiences to the next generation of visitors at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.”
Cartier replaces Mike Imhoff who left the Foundation as of the end of January 2022.
Throughout 2022, the National Museum of the United States Air Force and the Air Force Museum Foundation are hosting a series of events and exhibits to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Air Force, saluting its history and honoring its Airmen. The complete schedule of events and exhibits is available at www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Events/75th-anniversary/.
About the Air Force Museum Foundation
The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., raises funds and awareness in support of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., is a Section 501 (c)(3) private, non-profit organization. It is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components, and it has no government status. The use of the Roundel image in the Foundation's logo is with the permission of the United States Air Force; endorsement by the Department of Defense or the United States Air Force in fundraising activities of the Foundation is not intended nor implied pursuant to DoDI 5535.12. For more information on the Air Force Museum Foundation, visit afmuseum.com.
About the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the world’s largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year about one million visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
