NBAA Awards 17 Scholarships to Students at NBAA-BACE

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The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), through NBAA Charities, offers a wide range of scholarships that support young people seeking careers in business aviation. This week at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Orlando, FL, 17 students will be receiving the following awards:

UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship

The UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship is named for the late founder of Aviation Personnel International, who was active in the aviation community for decades and received NBAA’s John P. “Jack” Doswell Award for her lifelong achievement in support of business aviation. This year's recipients are: 

  • Estelle E. Jules, a student at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University majoring in air traffic management with an air transportation and applied meteorology minor
  • Hunter Huffman, a student at Westminster College with a flight operations major and aviation management minor
  • Jonathan Conod, majoring in AMS/AOC safety science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
  • Kenneth Vadakin, currently in the unmanned aerial systems and profession pilot programs at Kansas State Polytechnic
  • Natelie Chappell, studying air traffic control and aviation management at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale

 Al Conklin And Bill De Decker Business Aviation Management Scholarship

The scholarship was initially created to honor the memory of Al Conklin, a U.S. Air Force veteran and business aviation leader for more than 60 years. Today, the scholarship also honors Bill de Decker’s contributions to business aviation, for which he was honored in 2014 with NBAA’s John P. “Jack” Doswell Award. Together, Al Conklin and Bill de Decker first published the Aircraft Cost Evaluator in the 1970’s and later founded Conklin & de Decker, an aviation information company that provides aircraft operating cost and performance data. This year’s recipient is:

  • Najla Dorsey, a student at Ohio State University with an air transportation - professional pilot major

William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship

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, the Fanning Scholarship recognizes individuals who are studying to enter the field of business aviation maintenance. This year’s recipients are: 

  • Mikayla Green, a student at Colorado Northwestern Community College studying aviation maintenance technology
  • Charles Fishel, an aviation systems technology student at Wayne Community College

Fred and Diane Fitts Aviation Scholarship

Awards made available by Fred and Diane Fitts are presented to aspiring business aviation schedulers or dispatchers, maintenance professionals, pilots or flight attendants. The scholarship selection committee focused on applicants that are able to express their dedication to furthering the business aviation industry. This year’s recipients are: 

  • Carla Torres, a student at Florida International University studying to become a flight attendant
  • Diar Aranki, studying aviation maintenance management at Southern Illinois University – Carbondale
  • Marco Desimone, a student in both the professional pilot and aviation maintenance programs at LeTourneau University

Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship

The Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship was created in 2001 by NBAA Charities, along with the family and friends of the late Lawrence Ginocchio, to honor his outstanding personal contribution to business aviation. This year's recipients, selected for demonstrating honesty, integrity and selflessness, are: 

  • Brandon Idler, studies aviation science with an air traffic management concentration at Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Brian McClure, a student of Southwestern Illinois College majoring in aviation flight training and aviation management
  • Christen Bailey, attends Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a major in aviation business administration
  • Cole Kerns, Majoring in commercial aviation at University of North Dakota
  • Michael Lynch, An aeronautical science major at Florida Institute of Technology

Eddie Queen Business Aviation Management Scholarship

Along with Signature Flight Support, NBAA Charities created the Eddie Queen Business Aviation Management Scholarship to honor the memory of Eddie Queen, a Signature Flight Support line service technician for 58 years. It is awarded to students pursuing a career in business aviation management at NBAA/UAA institutions who show an exceptional commitment to customer service. This year’s recipient is: 

  • Natalie Sourbeck, a student of California Baptist University majoring in aviation management

The 2018 scholarship winners will be officially announced during NBAA-BACE at a press conference on Wednesday Oct.17, from 1-1:45 p.m., in meeting room N220A at the Orange County Convention Center.

NBAA Charities offers monetary and training scholarships for both students and aviation professionals, such as flight department managers, pilots, maintenance technicians, schedulers, dispatchers, flight attendants and flight technicians. These scholarships, which total nearly $100,000 annually, are administered by NBAA standing committees and would not be possible without the generous financial support of NBAA member donors.

To learn more about the numerous scholarship opportunities offered by NBAA Charities, contact Tyler Austin, manager of professional development, at (202) 783-9267 or taustin@nbaa.org, or visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships