Preston “Pres” Henne (NAE) is Senior Vice President for Programs, Engineering and Test at Gulfstream. He also is a Vice President of General Dynamics Corp. He began his aerospace career in 1969 at McDonnell Douglas, where he managed several advanced programs in aerodynamics and acoustics for both military and commercial aircraft. Known for his work in advanced aerodynamic technology, he was responsible for the aerodynamic design of the wing on the C-17 -- considered the most versatile aircraft in airlift history and winner of the 1994 Collier Trophy for aeronautical achievement. He later served as Chief Design Engineer for the MD-80 aircraft. In 1991, he became Vice President and General Manager of the MD-90 Program at McDonnell Douglas’ Long Beach Douglas Aircraft facility, where he oversaw the aircraft’s complete development and certification process.

Joining Gulfstream in 1994, Henne is credited with the design, development, test and certification of the Gulfstream V aircraft -- which was awarded the Collier Trophy for greatest aeronautical achievement in America in 1997. Mr. Henne became a Vice President of General Dynamics in July 1999 when the company acquired Gulfstream. As Senior Vice President, Programs, Engineering and Test, he is responsible for Gulfstream’s product program management, engineering, and flight operations.

Mr. Henne is a member of the Innovation Leadership Advisory Board (ILAB) at the University of Illinois College of Engineering and of the Georgia Tech Research Corporation Board of Trustees. He is a Fellow of the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society. His awards include the AIAA Engineer of the Year Award in 1996 and the AIAA Hap Arnold Award in 2001 for excellence in aeronautical program management. In 2005 the University of Illinois recognized him with the Alumni Award for Distinguished Service.