In Andrew Parton’s tenure as first, executive director and now president he has worked to transform the museum into an education center with an emphasis on the S.T.E.M. disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math.
The goal of the museum is to use its collection of air and spacecraft to generate excitement for studies in math and science and to help create a new labor pool for the aviation, aerospace and defense industries. He has been instrumental in building the museum’s educational platform to include High School Magnet Academies for STEM.
In addition, the museum has expanded its educational efforts and serves as the host site for a number of science-based competitions including the Rube Goldberg Engineering Competition as well as competitions such as “Kid Wind”, “Solar Cars” and their new “Drone/UAV” program.
It is with these distinct and creative partnerships that the museum influences countless kids to study STEM, sparking interest in Higher Ed and STEM careers. Mr. Parton hopes the museum will continue to excel as a resource for the community, promoting and fostering a strong STEM-educated society.
The museum serves as the Co-Steward of the Long Island STEM Hub along with Northwell Health and Brookhaven National Lab.
The museum is home to over 75 planes and spacecraft and chronicles Long Island’s rich aerospace history and attracts over 300,000 visitors each year. It has consistently been ranked in the top 10 of Air & Space Museums in the country
Prior to joining the museum, Andrew spent 19 years at JPMorgan Chase as vice president, and director of marketing for the Commercial Banking Group.
He serves on the board of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, The JFK Chamber of Commerce and the Grumman/Northrop Grumman Retiree Club.
His education encompasses a masters of business administration in marketing management and a bachelor of science in communications arts and sciences from St. John’s University in Jamaica, N.Y.
