The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) selected seven aviation leaders for 2021 Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesmen and Stateswomen of Aviation awards, including NBAA COO Steve Brown, Tailwinds Communications proprietor and long-time business aviation advocate Cassandra Bosco, and aviation safety expert and former National Transportation Safety Board member John Goglia.
Also being recognized are Angela Gittens, who retired last year as director-general of the Airports Council International; famed âBerlin Candy Bomberâ Col. Gail Seymour âHalâ Halvorsen, USAF (Ret.); long-time GE Aviation executive Jean Lydon-Rodgers; and Gen. John Raymond, the chief of space operations for the U.S. Space Force.
Brown, who in addition to NBAA has held leadership roles at NAA, AOPA, and the FAA, is recognized for his âfour-decade-long career in aviation defined by passion, service, inspiration, innovation, and selfless leadership.â Bosco, meanwhile, was selected in recognition of 35 years of dedicated service in the aviation industry in communications and education that has been marked by âher passionate industry advocacy and commitment to the advancement of women in all aviation-related fields.â
Goglia is being honored for âhis lifetime of passion and dedication to aviation safety and maintenance, and whose internationally recognized expertise led him to become the first and only Airframe and Powerplant mechanic to receive a presidential appointment to the NTSB.â
NAA further is recognizing Angela Gittens for exemplary vision and leadership while at ACI, âhaving increased the safety, security, efficiency, sustainability, and diversity of the air transport industry throughout the world.â
Halvorsen, a pilot who joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1942 and participated in the post-war Berlin Airlift, distinguished himself âthrough acts of goodwill, bravery, and determination as the âBerlin Candy Bomber,â contributing significantly to aeronautics in the U.S. and across allied countries worldwide.â
Jean Lydon-Rodgers, who most recently was president and CEO of GE Aviation Service, is being honored for her successful leadership over nearly four decades at GE Aviation âwhile continuously providing mentorship to women throughout the entire spectrum of aviation science and STEM applicationsâ
Raymond, who has served in the U.S. Air Force for 35 years and played an integral role in standing up the Space Force, is being honored for his service and for his contribution in enhancing ânational focus on emerging threats to American interests in space.â
âThe women and men we honor this year as Stateswomen and Statesmen of Aviation represent the depth and breadth of our industry,â said NAA president Greg Principato. âThey represent all sectors of aviation and span the gamut from the Berlin Airlift to efforts to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Their contributions have inspired and continue to inspire.â
NAA has honored distinguished aviation leaders for more than six decades. Past recipients include Scott Crossfield, Clarence âKellyâ Johnson, Katherine and Marjorie Stinson, Charles Bolden, Olive Ann Beech, Clay Lacy, Fran Bera, Bob Hoover, and Chuck Yeager.
This yearâs slate will be recognized during the NAA Fall Awards Dinner on December 6.