Five Students Receive NBAA Ginocchio Scholarships

Contact: Cassandra Bosco

Orlando, FL, October 7, 2003 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has selected five students enrolled at NBAA/University Aviation Association-member institutions to receive Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarships. Benjamin E. Bogdan of Southern Illinois University, Kent M. Fujimoto of University of North Dakota, John D. Prather of Southern Illinois University, Russell D. Sage of Daniel Webster College and Paul S. Wagner of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University each will receive $5,000.

The Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship was created in 2001 by NBAA and the family and friends of the late Lawrence Ginocchio to honor his outstanding personal contribution to the business aviation community. Named for a remarkable man whose strength of character inspired a high standard of caring in the aviation community, the Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship recognizes those individuals who have demonstrated honesty, integrity and selflessness in their dealings with others. These individuals should possess a passion for aviation, as Larry Ginocchio did, and have utilized their interest or involvement in business aviation to enhance the lives of others.

Benjamin Edward Bogdan is pursuing an aviation management degree at Southern Illinois University. He currently holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in aviation maintenance technologies from Indian Hills Community College and an airframe and powerplant license. He has worked for Bombardier Aviation Services in Wichita, KS as well as Emery Air Charter in Illinois, and has experience working on several types of aircraft, including Learjet 60s and 55s.

Kent M. Fujimoto is studying commercial aviation, aviation management and air traffic control at the University of North Dakota. He is active in several groups, including the Student Aviation Management Association, of which he is president, Golden Key International Honor Society and National Intercollegiate Flying Association. Last summer he flew for the EAA Air Academy summer camps for ages 12 through adult. His career goal is to fly for a corporate flight department and eventually become a chief pilot. He holds flight instructor and  commercial/instrument single-engine land and multi-engine ratings.

John David Prather of O’ Fallon, IL is pursuing his B.S. in aviation electronics technology at Southern Illinois University (SIU). A member of the Rotary and Wing Association of America and SIU Honor Society, he was the first SIU student selected to intern at Midcoast Aviation in Cahokia, IL. Prather holds a private pilot rating and will complete the second year of his airframe and powerplant license this year.

Russell Donald Sage of Manchester, NH is an aviation management major at Daniel Webster College. He has taken leadership roles at an FAA-sponsored ACE camp and as a student orientation leader, where he served as a mentor to freshman and transfer students. He also completed a two-year stint with Keller Corporation flying as pilot-in-command in a Mitsubishi MU2 and as second-in-command in a Dassault Falcon 10. He holds commercial and instrument single-engine and multi-engine land ratings.

Paul Stanley Wagner of Riegelsville, PA is pursuing an aeronautical science degree at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He obtained his private pilot license in high school and worked as an intern for AT&T’s flight department last summer. He holds commercial and instrument single-engine land ratings.

NBAA offers several scholarships to promote professional development and business aviation careers. For more information, visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.

NBAA represents the aviation interests of more than 7,300 companies that own or operate general aviation aircraft as an aid to the conduct of their business, or are involved with business aviation. NBAA Member Companies earn annual revenues approaching $5 trillion — a number that is about half the gross domestic product — and employ more than 19 million people worldwide. The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is the world’s largest display of civil aviation products and services.

Members of the media may receive NBAA Press Releases immediately via e-mail. To subscribe to the NBAA Press Release e-mail list, fill out and submit the online form found on the web at www.nbaa.org/news/pr/subscribe.