July 17, 2013
NBAA recently presented its Silk Scarf Award to three individuals in recognition of their exemplary efforts on behalf of the business aviation community in their respective regions.
The awards were given to Jol Silversmith, a partner in the law firm of Zuckert, Scoutt and Rasenberger in Washington, DC; Vic Slater, director of flight operations for Bloomin’ Brands in Tampa, FL; and Daniel Slapo, flight coordinator of ExecuJet Charter Service, also in Tampa.
“The Silk Scarf Award is a well deserved recognition of the contribution these individuals have made to the business aviation community. It has been a pleasure to work with them over the years on a number of projects,” said Harry Houckes, NBAA’s Southeast regional representative.
Silversmith’s law practice principally involves advising airlines, aviation-related businesses and government entities on issues such as FAA and DOT regulations, airport issues, international bilateral agreements and more. His work for NBAA has specifically focused on preserving access for the Association’s Member Companies to California’s Santa Monica Airport (SMO). He is a member of the District of Columbia Bar, the Massachusetts Bar and the Maryland Bar. Silversmith serves as a director and the secretary of the Greater Washington Business Aviation Association and is a member of NBAA’s Access Committee.
Slater joined Bloomin’ Brands (formerly Outback Steakhouse) in 1993 and has served in his current position with the company’s flight department for the past 17 years. He has spent virtually his entire aviation career in the Tampa Bay area, and a few years ago, he and a few others formed the Tampa Bay Aviation Association (TBAA). As the president of TBAA, his hope is to continue to expand the organization and pass on the aviation knowledge and experiences of his career in order to help others grow in the aviation industry.
As flight coordinator for ExecuJet Charter Service, Slapo plans the day-to-day travel itineraries of ExecuJet’s clients, along with helping to coordinate the daily activities of 15 crewmembers on seven different aircraft. He began his aviation career in the United States Air Force, where from 1987 to 1997, his assignments took him to Sicily, Hawaii, New Jersey and ultimately, the Pentagon, where he worked directly for the vice president of the United States. He was one of seven flight attendants who cooked for the vice president while flying on Air Force II. In addition to his professional career, Slapo worked with NBAA’s Flight Attendants Scholarship program, and he was the scholarship chairperson from 2007 to 2009. He serves as treasurer/secretary of the Tampa Bay Aviation Association.
About the Award
In an effort to honor outstanding business aviation community members and inspire future aviators, the NBAA Silk Scarf Award is given to individuals for special contributions to the business aviation community during their careers. Learn more and view past award recipients at the Silk Scarf Award web page.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.