Dec. 8, 2015
The Georgia Business Aviation Association (GBAA) received NBAA’s highest award for local and regional business aviation groups – the Recognition of Outstanding Excellence by a Local or Regional Group award – at NBAA’s 2015 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2015).
“GBAA is very deserving of this prestigious award,” said Steve Hadley, NBAA’s director of regional programs and Southwest regional representative. “This organization sets a great example for other local and regional groups, and its leaders and membership are always willing to share their experience with other groups. That culture of mentorship is just one reason why GBAA received this recognition.”
GBAA excels in the areas of scholarship distribution, aviation safety education and public education. In 2015, the GBAA Scholarship Committee awarded more than $40,000 in scholarships to undergraduate students pursuing careers in aviation, and current aviation professionals seeking further their education. Since 2004, GBAA has awarded $361,000 to 125 students.
GBAA hosts an annual Safety Day for its members and guests – the first of its kind hosted by a regional business aviation group. With nine years of experience planning and hosting the Safety Day, GBAA now assists other regional group in developing similar programs.
GBAA also promotes aviation in area schools. An aviation oriented science, technology, engineering and mathematics program was started in 2014 at Cartersville High School, in partnership with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. GBAA now provides guest speakers and adjunct instructors to this important program.
“Much of GBAA’s success is owed to previous chairman and current board member David Small of Cox Enterprises. It means everything to us to see our volunteer efforts and the hard work we put in to GBAA to benefit the industry come to fruition and be recognized by our national organization,” said Dan Lucey, GBAA’s vice chairman and president of FlightWorks. “This award motivated us even further to grow our scholarships, membership and events to the next level.”
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.