Washington, DC – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that James Cooling, an aviation attorney whose numerous, continuing contributions to the industry causes have extended far beyond his service on the Association’s Board of Directors, will receive the John H. Winant Award at the 2013 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2013) in Las Vegas, NV in October.
Cooling, the managing director of the law firm of Cooling & Herbers, P.C., served on NBAA’s Tax Committee for nine years, and later on NBAA’s Board of Directors from 2001 to 2008. After leaving the board, Cooling has continued his work on behalf of NBAA and Corporate Angel Network (CAN) in assisting with the organization of the annual NBAA/CAN Soiree charity event, which raises funds to support CAN’s life-saving work to transport cancer patients aboard business aircraft with unused seats to clinics for treatment.
Today, Cooling also serves on the organizing committee for the annual Gathering of Eagles dinner on behalf of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles Program. In 2011, he was elected to the Board of Trustees for the National Aviation Hall of Fame and tasked with helping raise the organization’s funding and profile.
“Throughout his extensive career in the aviation community, Jim Cooling has shown a tremendous commitment to many causes and organizations that demonstrate the best and most compassionate aspects of our industry,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “It is in this spirit that NBAA has selected him to receive the 2013 Winant Award.”
One of NBAA’s most prestigious honors, the John H. Winant Award is presented to former members of NBAA’s Board of Directors who demonstrate a lifelong passion for and service to business aviation, including service to the industry well after directors’ tenure on NBAA’s board concludes.
Over more than 50 years of service to NBAA, Winant served in all of NBAA’s volunteer-elected officer positions. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1957 and remained on the board until his appointment as NBAA president in 1971, a role that he served in for 15 years.
Following his service to NBAA, Winant remained active in supporting the Association and the broader business aviation community for the rest of his life; for example, he authored two books about the development of business aviation and the history of the Association and its programs.
“I am extremely pleased and surprised to be selected to receive NBAA’s John Winant Award,” Cooling said. “Like John, the people who have received this honor have been recognized for their dedication to the industry and their tirelessness in advancing its causes – I am humbled to be included in their company.”
Cooling is a 1968 graduate of the University of Notre Dame Law School, and received his B.A. from the University of Missouri in 1965. He is a member of the Missouri Bar Association, the Lawyer Pilots Bar Association and the NTSB Bar Association. Cooling also holds commercial, instrument, multi-engine and flight instructor ratings, and is type-rated in the Cessna Citation.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.