The Air Force Museum Foundation, Dayton, Ohio, has appointed Seth R. Baron as its new chief executive officer, with his appointment scheduled to take effect on June 8, 2026. The foundation, which serves as the fundraising and awareness partner for the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, said the appointment follows a search process led by its Board of Trustees. The search focused on finding a leader with nonprofit experience, fundraising expertise, and a background in organizational growth. Melinda Lawrence, who has served as acting CEO and Director of Retail since October 2025, will remain in her role as Director of Retail.
Baron will take over leadership of an organization that has supported the museum since its incorporation in 1960. According to the foundation, it has contributed nearly $100 million to projects supporting both the museum and the Department of the Air Force, including funding most of the museum’s indoor exhibit space and contributing more than $1 million annually toward programs in recent years. “We are excited to welcome Mr. Seth Baron to the Foundation. His extensive leadership in the not-for-profit arena and passion for the military make him an exceptional fit for the CEO position. His success and experience will bring innovative ideas and strategies to the partnership with the Museum. I look forward to him advancing our shared goals,” said Trish Young, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Air Force Museum Foundation.
Before joining the foundation, Baron worked as a vice president at Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, overseeing operations across Georgia and the southeastern United States. During his time there, he was involved in fundraising efforts, donor outreach, foundation partnerships, board engagement, and emergency campaigns supporting military personnel and families. “I am honored and excited to join the Air Force Museum Foundation as CEO, and I am grateful to the Executive Committee and Search Committee of the Board of Trustees for their confidence,” said Baron.
“The opportunity to support the National Museum of the United States Air Force is both meaningful and inspiring, and I look forward to working with the Foundation team, Museum leadership, the Board, and the Dayton community to advance the mission and strengthen the Foundation’s impact.” Museum leadership also welcomed the appointment. “Mr. Baron has a strong and effective history of working successfully in the not-for-profit arena. He has strong family connections to the military services and has already expressed several thoughtful ideas about how the Museum and the Foundation can work even better together. I am looking forward to collaborating with him and improving on the already strong partnership between our organizations,” said David Tillotson, Director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. One of the foundation’s major projects moving forward is fundraising for a redesign of the museum’s Missile Gallery. The updated gallery is planned as an immersive exhibit examining how military missile technology contributed to the development of America’s space program, particularly during the Cold War and Space Race era. For more information and to support the Air Force Museum Foundation, click on this link: airforcemuseumfoundation.org.
