Kim Dell '92 earns one of aviation's highest honors

Dell has soared to new heights after charting a journey from BW to aviation excellence, producing 50 events across the country.

When Kim Dell '92 walks onto the tarmac at Burke Lakefront Airport each Labor Day weekend, she's orchestrating a legacy that has captivated Cleveland for generations.

As executive director of the Cleveland National Air Show, Dell has transformed her Baldwin Wallace education in speech communications and business marketing into a remarkable career that recently earned her the 2025 Katharine Wright Trophy from the National Aeronautic Association — one of aviation's most prestigious honors.

A Career Takes Flight

Dell's journey began after her graduation from BW in 1992, when she joined C.K. Newcomb & Associates as a promotions assistant. By 1994, she was director of marketing and promotions for the Cleveland National Air Show. In 2015, she made history as the first female executive director of the show.

"I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive the Katharine Wright Trophy," Dell said. "I will be forever grateful to Chuck Newcomb, who gave me the opportunity to join his team in 1992."

Setting Industry Standards

Over three decades, Dell has helped produce more than 50 aviation events across the country. The Cleveland National Air Show, under her leadership, has earned "Air Show of the Year" from World Airshow News and multiple marketing awards from the International Council of Air Shows, which regularly invites her to lead industry seminars.

Dell has also championed community engagement through Make-A-Wish Foundation partnerships, scholarship programs and educational outreach initiatives. She created an innovative internship program that has provided valuable opportunities for college students entering the field.

Pioneer and Role Model

Dell was the inaugural recipient of the Women in Air Shows Award, recognizing those who elevate the field as a professional career path. Baldwin Wallace previously honored her with its Alumni Merit Award — the university's highest alumni recognition.

The Katharine Wright Trophy is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to aviation and space flight. In receiving this honor, Dell joins an elite group of aviation leaders whose work has shaped the industry.

From her days at Baldwin Wallace to leading one of America's premier air shows, Dell exemplifies how passion, dedication and a solid educational foundation can propel a career to extraordinary heights.