Prescott, Ariz., December 6, 2010 – Aerospace industry leader Margaret S. (Peg) Billson returns to her alma-mater, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, as commencement speaker for the fall semester 2010 graduating class, announced Dr. Frank Ayers, Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer.

“We’re always thrilled to welcome back one of our own to inspire our new graduates. Peg Billson’s exemplary career in aerospace engineering is a perfect launching pad for a commencement address,” said Dr. Ayers. “She serves as an outstanding role model for our students, especially to our growing female student population.”

Billson graduated in 1984 with a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering. Currently, she is the President of BBA Aviation’s Legacy Support Division, where she oversees four businesses that provide component spare and repaired parts for older, out-of-production aircraft. Previously, she was Chief Operating Office at Eclipse Aviation, where she led the organization through certification and rapid production of the Eclipse 500, asmall six-seat business jet aircraft that was the first of a class of Very Light Jets (VLJs).

Billson had an eight-year career with Honeywell that included the roles of Vice President/General Manager Airframe Systems and also Aircraft Landing Systems. She served as Vice President of Engineering for Engines, Systems and Services with responsibility for 4000 engineers located worldwide across five business enterprises. Prior to Honeywell, Billson spent 13 years with McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach, Calif., where she worked her way to Vice President of the MD-11, MD-80 and MD-90 programs.

Billson is an instrument and multi-engine rated private pilot and serves on the Board of Directors of SkyWest, Inc. She also holds an M.S. Degree in Engineering-Aerospace from California State University at Long Beach. She is an active member of the Board of Visitors of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott campus.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the world’s largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, offers more than 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in its colleges of Arts and Sciences, Aviation, Business, and Engineering. Embry-Riddle educates more than 34,000 students annually at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., through the Worldwide Campus at more than 170 locations in the United States, Europe, Asia, Canada, and the Middle East, and through online learning. For more information, visit www.embryriddle.edu.

Graduation will take place Saturday, Dec. 18, 10 a.m.
Embry-Riddle Activity Center, 3700 Willow Creek Road, Prescott, Arizona