Mona Vollmer new Chief Development Officer of the Air Force Museum Foundation Published March 8, 2013 Air Force Museum Foundation DAYTON, Ohio -- The Air Force Museum Foundation announced effective today the appointment of Mona Vollmer, Colonel, USAFR, as Chief Development Officer. The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. is a philanthropic, non-profit organization that raises money for buildings, programs, and other initiatives of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Vollmer was previously the Executive Director of Air Camp, Inc., and is an Air Force reservist. She replaces Lin Erickson, the foundation's Chief Development Officer for the past two years, who has been selected as Executive Director and CEO of the Da Vinci Science Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania. In her new role, Col Vollmer will be responsible for leading the campaign for a new 224,000 square foot building to house the museum's Presidential Aircraft collection, manned and unmanned space artifacts, and Global Reach transport and tanker aircraft. The estimated cost of the new building is $47 million. The foundation currently has $38 million available in cash and pledges, including a $10 million gift from Lockheed Martin. Vollmer's fundraising effort will be focused on major national as well as local donors, focusing on those in the aerospace and other industries that employ a scientific and technical workforce. She will also oversee the foundation's membership program and over time, develop future campaigns to build endowment and expand planned giving programs. Lt Gen Richard V. Reynolds, USAF (Ret.) and Chairman, Board of Managers of the Air Force Museum Foundation, announced Vollmer's appointment, emphasizing the board's excitement about the experience and energy that she brings to the foundation team. "During the selection process, we were thoroughly impressed with Mona's passion for the museum's mission, along with her Air Force experience and current association with a non-profit organization," said Reynolds. "With her leadership and drive, the foundation will move forward aggressively to complete the fundraising required to begin construction of the new building by early 2014." Vollmer brings almost 30 years' of Air Force experience, serving in a variety of positions from director of public affairs to the vice commander of the Air Force Security Assistance Center (AFSAC), as well as experience from a variety of positions in the civilian sector. A seasoned public relations manager, she's partnered with a wide variety of military, industry, business and academic organizations to effectively tell the Air Force story. From her work at AFSAC, she understands the importance of building relationships, and will leverage that experience to expand the range of the foundation's aerospace, heritage and education connections. A former small business owner and airline employee, her breadth of experience will serve her well. Vollmer holds a bachelor's degree, with honors, in Communication Arts from University of Cincinnati, and a master's degree in Human Relations and Supervision from Louisiana Tech University. "I look forward to partnering with the foundation's board to support the expansion of this magnificent museum," said Vollmer. "The fourth building will provide a wonderful backdrop for the planned science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning nodes and the opportunities to develop industry and education partnerships to fuel these programs. STEM education is an economic imperative, and I'm excited to be part of the museum's role in that," Vollmer said. The National Museum of the United States Air Force (NMUSAF), located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the service's national institution for preserving and presenting the Air Force story. Each year, more than one million visitors come to the museum to learn about the mission, history and evolving capabilities of America's Air Force. For more information on the museum, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil. The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc. was established in 1960 to assist the NMUSAF in raising capital to support building expansion and other programs not supported by federal funds. For more information on the Air Force Museum Foundation, visit www.afmuseum.com.