Muellner Elected to National Academy of Engineering

2/9/2015 Susan Mumm, Media Specialist

The NAE recognizes AE alumnus George K. Muellner for leadership in the research, design, and development of advanced air and space vehicles.

Written by Susan Mumm, Media Specialist

George K. Muellner
George K. Muellner
George K. Muellner
Aerospace Engineering at Illinois alumnus George K. Muellner has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering.

Election to the NAE is among the highest professional distinctions accorded to an engineer. Academy membership honors those who have made outstanding contributions to "engineering research, practice, or education, including, where appropriate, significant contributions to the engineering literature," and to the "pioneering of new and developing fields of technology, making major advancements in traditional fields of engineering, or developing/implementing innovative approaches to engineering education."

Muellner, vice chairman of the board of The Aerospace Corporation in El Segundo, California, was selected for leadership in the research, design, and development of advanced air and space vehicles.

Muellner, BS ’67, has also served as Chairman of the Board for the Air Force Association. He is a Life Member of the AFA and has previously served as the Vice Chairman for Aerospace Education, a National Director and as a member of the Aerospace Education Council.

Muellner, who retired from the Boeing Company in February 2008, was president of Advanced Systems for the Integrated Defense Systems business unit. Prior to this assignment Muellner was senior vice president-general manager of Air Force Systems, responsible for all domestic and international Air Force programs. He was appointed to this position in July 2002. Prior to that, Muellner was president of Phantom Works, Boeing's advanced research and development unit.

Muellner served 31 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a lieutenant general in 1998 from the position of principal deputy for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition in Washington, D.C., to which he was assigned in 1995.

From 1993 to 1995, he served as director and program executive officer for the Joint Advanced Strike Technology program, now the Joint Strike Fighter program. He earlier served as mission area director for tactical, command, control and communications, and weapons programs. In 1992, he became deputy chief of staff for requirements for the Headquarters Air Combat Command at Langley Air Force Base, VA. A highly decorated veteran, Muellner spent most of his career as a fighter pilot and fighter weapons instructor, test pilot and commander. He flew combat missions in Vietnam and commanded the Joint STARS deployment during Operation Desert Storm.

Muellner is a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow and Past-President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). In 2014, the AIAA selected Muellner as an Honorary Fellow, AIAA’s highest distinction.

He is also a trustee of the USAFA Falcon Foundation and serves on the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's College of Engineering Board of Visitors of the University of Illinois.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree in AE at Illinois, Muellner holds a master’s degree in aeronautical systems management from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in engineering from California State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Auburn University. He also completed the Air War College and the Defense Systems Management College.

Muellner has received Distinguished Alumni Awards from both AE at Illinois and the College of Engineering, and serves on the AE at Illinois Alumni Board. He and his wife, Vicki, live in Huntington Beach, California.

"We are delighted to see George’s outstanding contributions to aerospace engineering recognized by this prestigious award,” said AE Department Head Philippe Geubelle. “We in AE have for many years benefited from his involvement with the Department, through insightful advice provided during his many visits on campus and his generous contribution to student scholarship funds.”
 


Share this story

This story was published February 9, 2015.