A recent provision made by Helen and Roger A. Krone, AE '78, has enabled the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering to significantly increase its commitment to faculty support and exceed  its 11-year, $25 million Campaign goal.

The Helen B. and Roger A. Krone Faculty Endowment Fund will give School Chair Vigor Yang the flexibility to meet needs as they arise - including (but not limited to) the creation of director’s chairs, faculty chairs, professorships, and early career professorships.

 “As I have found success in my personal and professional life, I am better able to put my time at Tech in perspective,” Krone explained. “The four years in Aerospace Engineering helped me to realize my dream. It is our hope that this gift will help other students realize their dreams.”

Yang left little doubt but that this gift will inspire great things.

“The generosity of Roger and Helen Krone has long been an inspiration to the Guggenheim School,” he said.

“Their latest act of philanthropy is truly transformative. Not only does it enable us to exceed our ambitious Campaign goal, but it will allow the School to recruit and cultivate the best minds for our future faculty. We are humbled by the faith they have placed in our educational mission. And we are committed to making them proud of that support.”

For the Krones, the key to a world-class aerospace engineering program at Georgia Tech is the faculty, which is also one of the Guggenheim School’s top fundraising priorities.

“To be the best, Tech needs to continue to attract the best. Competition for faculty is high. Having another endowed faculty position gives the School a place to attract and retain another outstanding faculty member,” he said.

​Krone is the CEO of Leidos, a leader in science and technology solutions in the areas of national security, health, and engineering. Prior to joining Leidos, he served as president of Network and Space  Systems for The Boeing Company. He was vice president and treasurer of McDonnell Douglas at the time of its 1997 merger with Boeing. He joined McDonnell Douglas in 1992 as director of financial planning after a 14-year career at General Dynamics.

Helen Krone is secretary, treasurer, and financial manager for the Krone Foundation. She serves on the board of trustees for the Mountain Retreat Association, which manages the Montreat Conference Center, a national Presbyterian conference center in North Carolina. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas, Austin.

Roger Krone currently serves on the board of the Georgia Tech Foundation, and he has been a member and chair of the Georgia Tech Advisory Board. He also served as an ex-officio member of the Campaign Steering Committee.