Howard Lovering was founding executive director, planner and lead programmer for this museum, one of the largest and most popular cultural attractions in the Northwest.  The first phase incorporated the historic Boeing factory building and early flight exhibits.  The restoration and interpretive reuse of this historic structure received broad acclaim.  The new institution became the second flight museum in the country to receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums.  Becoming one of the most honored cultural institutions ad popular event venues in the region, the second phase added an award-winning Great Gallery of Modern Flight, major archives, and extensive convention and business facilities.  This successful flight museum won a host of design, construction, and exhibit honors, as well as AAM awards.