Exclusive visual presentation by Dennis Tito Buzz Aldrin to serve as master of ceremony
LOS ANGLELES, January 11, 2002 -Ð The Western Los Angeles County Council of the Boy Scouts of America will honor Dennis A. Tito, founder and chief executive officer of Wilshire Associates and the first individual to personally pay to travel in space, with its coveted Americanism Award on February 21, 2002.
The award, presented annually to individuals who personify the traditions of our country and the Boy Scouts of America, will be presented to Tito at a dinner reception at the St. Regis Hotel, Los Angeles, in recognition of his outstanding career in science, finance and philanthropy as well as his courageous space voyage.
ÒGrowing up in Queens with Italian immigrant parents who truly believed in the American dream, being a Boy Scout was a great motivator for me; the experience taught me that I could achieve anything if I set my mind to it.Ê I am truly honored by this special recognition,Ó reflected Tito.
Focused on his goal to participate in the U.S. space program, Tito earned a B.S. in Astronautics and Aeronautics from NYU College of Engineering and a M.S. from Rensselaer in Engineering Science.Ê He began his career as an aerospace engineer with NASAÕs Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the age of 23.Ê Employing the same methodology he used to determine a spacecraftÕs path, Tito founded Wilshire Associates and is credited with helping to develop the field of quantitative analytics that uses mathematical tools to analyze market risks. Although thoroughly committed to his investment management career, Tito never lost sight of his desire to travel to space, a dream he fulfilled in April 2001.
John Creighton, Chairman of United Airlines and dinner organizing committee member said, ÒWe salute Dennis Tito for his extraordinary bravery in becoming the worldÕs first paying space traveler, his outstanding accomplishments as a pioneer in technology, and his life-long commitment to civic leadership.Ê He is truly an inspiration to all, both young and old.Ó
The Americanism Award has a long history of distinguished honorees including: former U.S. President Gerald R. Ford, comedian Bob Hope, former Governor of California Pete Wilson, and the late James ÒJimmyÓ Doolittle, U.S. Air Force General and World War II fighter pilot.
About the Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 and is the nationÕs foremost youth program.Ê The organization provides adventure and leadership skills to our youth and services to the community.Ê Spanning 90 years, the total membership to date is 104,003,921.
The Western Los Angeles County Council, Boy Scouts of America was established in 1972 by the merger of the Crescent Bay and San Fernando Valley Councils.Ê The Council has been recognized nationally for membership and program growth by receiving the coveted Quality Council status for providing quality programs to youth, balanced growth in Cub and Scout membership, and sound fiscal management.Ê In 2001, the Council led the Western Region in the area of growth with a 4.2 percent increase in membership in Scouting programs.
About Wilshire Associates
Wilshire Associates is a global leader in providing investment management, investment consulting and investment technology services to a wide variety of institutional and high net worth investors.Ê Wilshire has provided asset management, consulting and portfolio analytics to more than 400 institutional clients with assets of $1 trillion.Ê It has provided private equity services since 1984 and currently manages $7 billion in equity, fixed income, and private market funds.
CONTACT:
Kim Gear
Boy Scouts of America
818/785-8700 x135
Kim Shepherd
The Dilenschneider Group
312/553-0700
