NATA selected Banyan Air Service president Don Campion as this year’s recipient of the association’s Distinguished Service Award. Recognizing individuals or organizations for ongoing outstanding service and contributions to the industry, the award will be presented on June 18 during NATA's Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference.
The association cited Campion’s 40-year aviation business career that has been “hallmarked by his philanthropy and community service extending beyond general aviation and his business locality.”
“He has been a role model for many of us within aviation business and we applaud him for his dedication to giving back to his community,” said NATA president Gary Dempsey. “He is a champion for state issues, joining the fight to get tax relief on labor. Don is a very effective leader and gentleman.”
Campion co-founded Banyan Air Service at Florida's Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport (FXE) in 1979 after serving as a contract copilot for a South Florida charter operator. His business has since grown from one small hangar that he ran with a friend and two employees to a staff of more than 190 and more than 400 aircraft based in a complex spread over 100 acres and encompassing one million square feet. A longtime member of NATA, he served on the association’s board of directors from 1999 to 2002. Campion is also president of the Florida Executive Airport Association.