Washington, DC – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today presented several awards during the first day of the 53rd Annual Meeting & Convention. The Gold Wing Award went to two journalists, David Collogan and Joe Sharkey, for excellent, accurate and insightful reporting on issues related to business aviation. Richard Collins of Flying Magazine received the Platinum Wing Award for lifetime achievement in the field of journalism. In addition, 2000 NBAA Local Committee Chairman Janice Barden received the Association’s American Spirit Award.
The Gold and Platinum Wing Awards were presented during the Media Kickoff Breakfast in the morning. Collogan, a writer for the Weekly of Business Aviation, won the Gold Wing Award for best trade-press story for his series on fractional ownership. Sharkey, author of the New York Times Business Travel column, accepted a Gold Wing Award for his May 2000 business travel article titled “Companies Increasingly Turn to Corporate Jets, Thanks to the Economy and Airline Hassles.”
Platinum Wing Award winner Richard Collins has written more than one thousand magazine articles and more than one dozen books, and throughout his 42-year career he has focused on weather and instrument flying. Collins joined Flying Magazine in 1968, where he continues today as editor at large.
NBAA President Jack Olcott presented the American Spirit Award to Janice Barden during the President’s Luncheon, sponsored by Fortune magazine. Barden, founder and president of New Orleans-based Aviation Personnel International, has been active in the aviation community for over 30 years. She did undergraduate work in Miami University’s college of business administration and was the first person granted a degree in industrial psychology by Kent State University. Since its founding by Barden in 1971, Aviation Personnel International has contributed to hundreds of outstanding flight operations, setting standards for the industry in quality and performance.
Barden has served as Local Committee Chairman for a total of six times, more than any other person in NBAA history and the only woman to serve as chair. The Local Committee chairman traditionally acts as a liaison between NBAA and the Convention’s host city in the year leading up to the Show. In addition to the 2000 Show, Barden also has chaired the 1975, 1985, 1987, 1990 and 1994 Conventions, all located in New Orleans.
NBAA represents the aviation interests of over 6,200 companies which 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.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.