Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame Spotlight: Jeanne H. Pedigo
Jeanne H. Pedigo
Jeanne H. Pedigo • Roanoke, Virginia • Inducted in 2003
Inducted in 2003, Jeanne H. Pedigo went to work for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NASA forerunner) in 1950. Soon thereafter she earned an advanced degree in aeronautical engineering and was recruited by North American Aviation as a Thermodynamics Engineer on the F-86 Sabre jet and F-100 Super Sabre jet aircraft. In 1970, Governor Linwood Holton appointed her to the Virginia Airport Authority where she continued to serve for Governors Mills Godwin and John Dalton.
In 1981, Governor Dalton appointed Pedigo as the first, and to date, only woman Chairman of the Virginia Aviation Board. In 1986, she left the board to work for Campbell & Paris Engineers as the Director of Business Planning.
In 1998, she was recruited by Governor Gilmore to serve another four years on the Virginia Aviation Board. Throughout her 20-year tenure she was a strong advocate for both air carrier and general aviation facilities. She continues to actively participate in many national aviation-oriented organizations such as the American Association of Airport Executives, Airports Council International and the Southeastern Airport Managers Association.
After 60 plus years involved in aviation, Jeanne took her last flight on July 3, 2020
To read Jeanne’s Obituary, please click here.
Virginia Dept of Aviation spotlighted Jeanne in Women’s History Month article. See below for that excerpt:
Jeanne H. Pedigo, of Roanoke, went to work for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NASA forerunner) in 1950. Soon thereafter she earned an advanced degree in aeronautical engineering and was recruited by North American Aviation as a Thermodynamics Engineer on the F-86 Sabre jet and F-100 Super Sabre jet aircraft.
In 1970, Governor Linwood Holton appointed her to the Virginia Airport Authority where she continued to serve for Governors Mills Godwin and John Dalton. In 1981, Governor Dalton appointed Pedigo as the first, and to date, only woman Chairman of the Virginia Aviation Board.
In 1986, she left the board to work for Campbell & Paris Engineers as the Director of Business Planning. In 1998, she was recruited by Governor Gilmore to serve another four years on the Virginia Aviation Board.
Throughout her 20-year tenure she was a strong advocate for both air carrier and general aviation facilities. She continued to actively participate in many national aviation-oriented organizations such as the American Association of Airport Executives, Airports Council International and the Southeastern Airport Managers Association capping an aviation career of over 60 years. She was inducted into the Virginia Aviation Hall of Fame in 2003.