2025 San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame - Legacy and Impact Awards

The Dee Howard Foundation will honor pioneers, innovators, and community leaders whose work in the Alamo City has impacted aviation and aerospace science worldwide. Awards will be presented during the 2025 Hall of Fame luncheon fundraiser and directly benefit transformative Dee Howard Foundation aerospace programs that are connecting with thousands of students across the community. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) announcement that led to the end of operations at Kelly Air Force Base. It was a pivotal moment that reshaped our region’s industry and workforce development. The 2025 Hall of Fame ceremony celebrates the team who led San Antonio through that historic transition and transformed it into a national model for redevelopment. The honorees also include an inspiring educator and an industry advocate and organization founder whose work to expand student access to aerospace careers reflects the lasting impact of that transformation. Legacy Award Honoree - Joseph R. Krier The 2025 Aerospace Legacy Award honors Joseph R. Krier for his visionary leadership during one of San Antonio’s most pivotal transitions. As President and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce from 1987 to 2007, Krier was instrumental in mobilizing the city’s response to the 1995 BRAC decision to close Kelly Air Force Base. Recognizing the profound economic implications, he played a central role in establishing the Greater Kelly Development Corporation, laying the groundwork for what would become Port San Antonio. His strategic foresight and collaborative approach not only mitigated the immediate economic impact but also transformed a potential setback into a thriving hub of innovation and industry. Today, Port San Antonio stands as a testament to his efforts, contributing significantly to the region's economy and technological advancement. Beyond this, Krier's commitment to workforce development and his tenure as a San Antonio City Councilman for District 9 from 2013 to 2017 reflect his enduring dedication to the city's growth and prosperity. Impact Award Honorees - Juan Solis III, Jose Villarreal, and Tullos Wells (IBASC Tri-Chairs) The 2025 Aerospace Industry Impact Award honors Tri-Chairs Juan Solis III (City Councilman '92-'97), José Villarreal, and Tullos Wells for their extraordinary leadership in the successful transition of Kelly Air Force Base following its BRAC closure. Appointed by Mayor Thornton in 1996, they led a coordinated civic, political, and business effort to mitigate economic loss and retain aerospace industry capabilities in San Antonio. Working closely with Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, they secured a five-year delay in the closure and negotiated agreements that enabled McDonnell Douglas (later Boeing) to assume airframe operations. Their advocacy also led to a public private partnership framework preserving engine work at the Kelly Aviation Center and keeping the TF-39 and T56 engines in the region. The Tri-Chairs played a key role in bringing new military workloads, including the KC-10 and C-17, to San Antonio. They also helped eliminate significant transfer costs through a lease back arrangement, allowing continued military use of key facilities. Recognizing the importance of long-term economic stability, they spearheaded workforce development and education efforts to support the evolving aerospace sector. Their vision and collaboration laid the groundwork for what is now Port San Antonio, a thriving innovation hub that employs more people at higher wages than Kelly AFB did at its peak. Their legacy continues to shape San Antonio’s aerospace future.