The Dee Howard Foundation

Who We Are

The Dee Howard Foundation is dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of aerospace, aviation, and technology leaders through industry-connected education and workforce initiatives. Founded to honor the legacy of legendary aviation pioneer Dee Howard, the Foundation has evolved into a growing force for workforce development and student opportunity across San Antonio and beyond.

Today, The Dee Howard Foundation serves as a bridge between industry, education, and community by creating meaningful pathways that connect students to high-demand careers in aerospace, advanced air mobility, unmanned systems, engineering, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and other future-focused industries.

Our work focuses heavily on underserved communities and expanding access to hands-on, career-connected learning experiences that help students see themselves in the future workforce. Through strategic partnerships with school districts, higher education institutions, employers, workforce organizations, and community leaders, we are helping students build both technical and durable skills that prepare them for long-term success.

The Foundation’s initiatives continue to grow each year and now include programs such as:

• The San Antonio Aviation and Aerospace Hall of Fame
• The Dee Howard Foundation Drone Competition
• Aerospace educator externships and teacher professional development
• Industry-led student experiences and career exploration activities
• Workforce and STEM ecosystem partnerships
• Career-connected learning and Talent Pipeline Management initiatives
• Emerging technology and advanced air mobility education opportunities

One of our signature programs, the Dee Howard Foundation Drone Competition, has become one of the largest K-12 drone competitions in the country. The competition brings together hundreds of students from across the region to apply teamwork, coding, engineering, communication, and problem-solving skills through real-world drone challenges designed alongside industry partners.

In addition to direct student programming, the Foundation also works closely with educators through our Future-Ready Aerospace Educator Community of Practice and industry externship experiences. These initiatives help teachers better understand evolving workforce trends and connect classroom learning to real careers and industry needs.

The Dee Howard Foundation believes students are more likely to pursue careers they can see, experience, and connect with personally. That belief drives our commitment to expanding access to authentic industry engagement, mentorship, project-based learning, and exposure to high-growth career pathways.

The Foundation’s work is made possible through the support of generous donors, sponsors, industry partners, and community champions who believe in investing in the future workforce of our region.

About The Foundation

In July 2013, Dee Howard’s children, Dee Ann Bridges and Lonnie Dean Howard, together with Dee’s longtime friend and former Senior Vice President and General Counsel of The Dee Howard Co., Wayne I. Fagan, established The Dee Howard Foundation Fund at the San Antonio Area Foundation.

The Foundation was created to preserve and celebrate San Antonio’s rich aviation and aerospace history while building opportunities for future generations to shape what comes next. Inspired by Dee Howard’s legacy of innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development, the Foundation continues to honor his vision by helping students discover pathways into meaningful careers that strengthen our community, economy, and aerospace ecosystem for years to come.