Kimberly Ford

Kimberly Scott Ford is a pilot with over 11,000 hours in commercial and military aircraft. She has piloted the Boeing 737, the KC-135R Stratotanker, and was the first African American female to fly the C-17 Globemaster.

Currently, Kimberly is a First Officer for Alaska Airlines based in Seattle, WA. She was the first African American female pilot to be hired by Alaska Airlines in February 2001. Prior to joining Alaska Airlines she served in the United States Air Force, after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1990. During her military career she flew over 7000 hours in worldwide, wartime and humanitarian operations, retiring from the Air Force Reserve in 2016 at the rank of Lt Colonel.

Kimberly has a passion for helping youth to achieve their dreams in aerospace. She is a current board member for the Sisters of the Skies, the Museum of Flight, the Red Tailed Hawks Flying Club, and a mentor for the Michael P Anderson Memorial Aerospace Program.

When asked to share words that would describe herself, she noted belief in self, perseverance, positivity and courage.