Air Force Museum Foundation introduces Seth R. Baron as Chief Executive Officer
Mission-driven executive brings more than 20 years of experience advancing nonprofit organizations.
Dayton, Ohio– May 28, 2026 — The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc., formally announced today that its Board of Trustees has appointed Seth R. Baron as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 8, 2026. The Foundation is the nonprofit organization that raises funds and awareness in support of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force™.
This announcement follows an extensive search by the Board of Trustees for an innovative, mission-driven executive leader with experience advancing nonprofit organizations, building high-performing teams, strengthening donor engagement, and scaling philanthropic growth. Melinda Lawrence, who has served as acting CEO and Director, Retail, since October 2025, will continue as Director, Retail.
In his new role, Baron will ensure the Air Force Museum Foundation’s continuing strong support of, and partnership with, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Since its incorporation in 1960, the Foundation has provided nearly $100 million to the Museum and the Department of the Air Force, including directly funding 94% of the more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space, and in recent years more than $1 million in annual program support.
Ms. Trish Young, Chair of the Board of Trustees, Air Force Museum Foundation, said, “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.”
Prior to joining the Air Force Museum Foundation as Chief Executive Officer, Baron served as a Vice President for Friends of the Israel Defense Forces, where he helped advance national strategic initiatives while overseeing the Georgia and Southeast States Region. During his tenure, he played a key role in expanding donor engagement, strengthening regional and national fundraising efforts, and supporting critical programs for soldiers and their families. His work included major donor cultivation, foundation partnerships, emergency campaign leadership, CRM strategy, and board and community engagement.
“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.”
Mr. David Tillotson, Director of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, said, “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.”
The Foundation’s support of the Museum is currently focused on raising funds to support the Museum’s ambitious plans to redesign the Missile Gallery into an immersive exhibition that will answer the question, “How do we get to space?” It will offer an in-depth look at the significant role played by the U.S. Air Force, along with its industry and academic partners, in creating and advancing America’s space program. The missiles developed for national defense are the very same rockets that propelled astronauts and scientific satellites into space, and the Museum’s collection presents a rare and privileged opportunity to witness the actual technology that significantly shaped history, particularly during the Cold War and Space Race.
