Contact: Dan Hubbard, (202) 783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org
Las Vegas, NV, Oct. 20, 2013 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) offers a wide range of scholarships that encourage young people to seek careers in business aviation. This week at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2013), students will be recognized for receiving the following NBAA awards: UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship, Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship, William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship, Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship and NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship.
The recipients will be announced at a press conference on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 1 p.m. in Press Room 1 (Las Vegas Convention Center Room N115).
UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship
The UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship is named for the founder of Aviation Personnel International, who has been active in the aviation community for decades, and has served many times as the local committee chair of NBAA’s Convention. The following five college students studying aviation-related curricula at NBAA and University Aviation Association (UAA) member institutions have been selected to receive this year’s Barden scholarship:
- Savannah Bonty is a sophomore studying air traffic control management and aviation business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He has spent time working with People to People in Costa Rica as an ambassador, as well as a representative in the Global Youth Program. In his post-graduate career, Bonty hopes to help manage airports more efficiently.
- Calvin Hendrickson, a junior at Western Michigan University, is studying aviation maintenance technology and works at the university’s airport. He also is a member of Alpha Eta Rho and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association. Hendrickson hopes to pursue a career in aviation maintenance after graduating in December.
- Tyler Hutchinson is a sophomore at the University of Dubuque studying business aviation and operations, and he worked at Dubuque Regional Airport. Following graduation, Hutchinson looks forward to gaining a variety of aviation experiences.
- Ashley Thorsen is a sophomore at Hampton University pursuing a degree in aviation management, air traffic control specialist. After deciding to get her pilot’s license and taking weather classes at a community college, Thorsen realized her interest in air traffic control, and she now interns at the terminal facility at Raleigh-Durham TRACON.
- Jannesar Vahid is a junior at Kent State University pursuing a degree in aeronautics, flight technology. He has wanted to be a pilot since the age of 10, and upon arriving in Ohio as an Iranian refugee in 2009, he was thrilled for the opportunity to enroll in Kent State’s flight program.
Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship
The Conklin Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Al Conklin, a U.S. Air Force veteran, business aviation leader and member of NBAA’s Operations Committee for many years.
This year’s recipient is Owen Woodland, a junior at University of Dubuque pursuing a double major in aviation management and business administration, and a minor in flight operations. While in high school in the United Kingdom, he helped prepare the Concorde aircraft exhibit at the Brooklands Museum as a volunteer.
William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship
The Fanning Scholarship recognizes individuals who are studying to enter the field of business aviation maintenance. It is named in honor of retired NBAA staff member William M. Fanning, who was active in maintenance issues during his nearly 20-year tenure at the Association. This year’s recipients are:
Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship
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 business aviation. Recipients should possess a passion for aviation and have utilized their interest or involvement in business aviation to enhance the lives of others. This year, the following students received this award:
- Eric Bradt is a junior at Kent State University and is studying air traffic control and dispatch procedures while making the dean’s list every semester. He completed a flight operations/aircraft dispatch internship at CommutAir d/b/a United Express. During the academic year, Bradt works as a lab instructor/technician in the air traffic control simulator and is involved in various community service projects.
- Whitney Brouwer is a senior at LeTourneau University majoring in aircraft systems with a concentration in electrical technology. With a private pilot certificate and instrument rating, she wants to help design, install and troubleshoot intelligent cockpit displays that are easy to use. Brouwer also plans to obtain her A&P certificate before she graduates in May. She is currently a member of the Ninety-Nines and the Sting Precision Flight Team and an intern at a Mooney Service Center.
- Devon Burris is a sophomore at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona majoring in aeronautical science. He competes with the ERAU Eagles Flight Team and is a member of the Civil Air Patrol. After his hometown airport closed, Burris is determined to spread the message that business aviation is beneficial to communities, businesses and humanitarian missions.
- Zachary Floto, a senior at Liberty University, is studying aeronautical science and has a strong passion for aviation. He was a member of the Civil Air Patrol as a cadet, a flight operations intern at Delta Airlines, an EAA Young Eagles program volunteer and a member of the Liberty University Collegiate Flight Team for National Intercollegiate Flying Association 2010. Floto has also tutored underprivileged students.
- Ronald Kaminski is a senior at Western Michigan University studying aviation maintenance and is planning to take the A&P exam this fall. He was an intern at Rapid Air and Grand Rapids Air Center. Kaminski is also on the Aviation Advisory Committee for the Kent Career Technical Center, Aviation Maintenance Program. He is pursuing a career as a chief technician.
NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship
The NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship was created by NBAA and The NORDAM Group to honor the lifetime achievements of two aerospace engineering pioneers, Dee Howard and Etienne Fage. NORDAM has been a world leader in aircraft component manufacturing and repair since 1969.
This year’s recipient is Wesley Stine, a sophomore at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. He is majoring in aerospace engineering and space physics after graduating from high school two years early and earning a perfect math SAT score of 800. Stine is an Eagle Scout, accomplished classical pianist and a member of Mu Alpha Theta, a math honor society. He plans to pursue a career in private space exploration.
To learn more about the numerous scholarship opportunities offered by NBAA, contact Jay Evans, director, professional development, at (202) 783-9353 or jevans@nbaa.org, or visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.
For complete Convention coverage, visit the NBAA2013 Online News Bureau.
# # #
Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 9,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
Members of the media may receive NBAA Press Releases immediately via email. To subscribe to the NBAA Press Release email list, submit the online form.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.