Delford M. Smith

Delford M. Smith is the owner and founder of Evergreen International Aviation. Delford M. Smith graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Science degree. He also earned top honors as a distinguished military student in the  Air Force ROTC. He continued to earn honorary Doctor of Aeronautical Science and Doctor of Business Administration degrees from Salem College and Johnson and Wales College. Smith served in the U.S. Air Force and was a commercial airplane and helicopter pilot for many years.

He earnes his right to be influentional beacues of his achievements. He began the company with the idea that aircraft could be used as angels of mercy as well as industrial workhorses. this idea grew and his company grew to 100 worldwide bases and over 4,500 employees, Evergreen International Aviation has worked for customers in 168 countries. His comaney has 5 subsidaries.

1) Evergreen International Airlines operates a fleet of B-747 freighter aircraft, which are employed in contract services for major airlines and U.S. government agencies. This division specializes in cargo carriage around the globe.
2) Evergreen Helicopters is the world’s most diversified rotor-wing operator, and serves agriculture, construction, forestry, health, peacekeeping, petroleum, and utility industries. The division also provides helicopter airframe and component management services, including repair and overhaul.
3) Evergreen Aviation Ground Logistics Enterprises provides full-service ground handling and express logistics serving 38 major airports in the United States.
4) Evergreen Aircraft Sales and Leasing specializes in matching machines to missions through managing the acquisition, trade, lease, and sale of aircraft assets.
5) Evergreen Air Center is an unlimited aircraft overhaul and repair station. This maintenance center is the world’s largest commercial aircraft storage facility, and provides maintenance services to major airline fleets and NASA’s shuttle aircraft carriers.

Smith has also been on several high influential boards. He was on the National Transportation Defense Association Airlift Committee Board of Directors, Chairman of the Board of the Helicopter Association International and was founder of its Economics Committee, and Air Transportation Board of Directors.

Some of the awards Smith has earned are of great value.  
Mr. Smith is the recipient of:
• The Horatio Alger Award for Distinguished Americans
• The Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy
• The Napoleon Hill Gold Medal Award of Entrepreneurial Achievement
• The Helicopter Association International Lawrence D. Bell Memorial Award
• Professional Pilot Aviation’s Humanitarian of the Year Award
• Museum of Flight Pathfinder Award
• Kaman Heroism Award
• World Vision Contributor Award
• Free Enterprise Award
• Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award
• P.O.E. Leadership Award
• Optimist Club Leadership Award
• Chamber of Commerce First Citizen of the Year Award
• National Transportation Award