NBAA’s Brown Honored by NAA as Distinguished Aviation Statesman

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) has recognized NBAA Chief Operating Officer Steve Brown as a Distinguished Statesman of Aviation.

The award is given to recognize “contributions of significant value to aeronautics over an extended period of years.” Brown was one of seven people to receive the 2021 Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman and Stateswoman of Aviation Award.

In a statement, NAA said it recognized Brown for “… his four-decade long career in aviation defined by passion, service, inspiration, innovation, and selfless leadership at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), National Aeronautic Association (NAA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).”

Brown, who joined NBAA in 2004, oversees all of NBAA’s activities relating to aircraft operations and flight department management issues, as well as the administrative, financial and human resources functions.

“We are thrilled that Steve is receiving this well-earned recognition from NAA,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “The industry has benefitted in countless ways from Steve’s leadership and tireless dedication – he is most deserving of this honor, and he has our enduring gratitude for his decades of service.”

Before joining NBAA, Brown was a top official with the FAA, serving as vice president of operations planning, after working as associate administrator for air traffic services. Earlier in his career, he was president of NAA and senior vice president of government and technical affairs at the AOPA.

Brown was also a member of the faculty at Texas A&M University, where he taught aviation-related courses. Additionally, he worked for the Texas Aeronautics Commission and as an air taxi pilot and full-time flight instructor.

Earlier this year, he was named to the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA’s) Aviation Security Advisory Committee, which is tasked with providing recommendations for improving aviation security.

NAA also recognized former NBAA Communications Director Cassandra Bosco for her 35 years of dedicated service providing consulting and executive services to leaders in the aerospace industry, in addition to her passionate industry advocacy and commitment to the advancement of women in all aviation related fields. Bosco worked at NBAA from 1988-2004, and since that time has worked for organizations ranging from the University Aviation Association to Women in Aviation International. She is the owner of TailWinds Communications.

Brown, Bosco and the other honorees will be recognized at the NAA Fall Awards Dinner, set for Dec. 6 in Arlington, VA.