Cleveland, OH — 2 February 2007 — The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) announced today the appointment of Michael L. Heil as president and CEO.  Michael will join the Institute in mid March, according to Salvatore J. Miraglia, Jr., chairman of OAI’s board of trustees and president of the steel group at The Timken Company. 

Heil most recently served as director of the Center for Space Studies and Research at the Air Force Institute of Technology, located at Wright–Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, and was AFIT's Commandant from 2001-2003. He has extensive history in the aerospace and defense community and more than 30 years experience in research, development, test, acquisition and higher education. He replaces William R. Seelbach, who recently left the organization that focuses on the economic development of Ohio’s aerospace industry.

“Michael is a proven leader who offers a rich background of experiences involving development and research in the aerospace industry,” said Miraglia. “We’re confident he will leverage his expertise to inspire more OAI programs and research that position Ohio’s aerospace-dedicated companies, research labs and universities at the forefront of the industry.”

A distinguished graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Heil earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering sciences. He holds a master’s degree in flight structures from Columbia University; a master’s in national resource strategies from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology.

“I am delighted to join the OAI team,” said Heil.  “Our Ohio universities, federal laboratories, and aerospace industries make Ohio a strong leader in aerospace, and I’m looking forward to helping OAI grow Ohio’s aerospace economy.”

The Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) is a non profit organization that works to build Ohio’s aerospace economy through research and technology development, education and training, and networking and information exchange. For more information, visit: www.oai.org.