Aviation Leaders to be Recognized with 2023-2024 NATA Industry Excellence Awards

Recognizing outstanding commitment and service to the success of aviation business, NATA (National Air Transportation Association) has announced the recipients of its 2024 Industry Excellence Awards.

The following honors, along with the Association’s Ong, Distinguished Service, Distinguished Public Service, and Airport Executive Partnership awards, will be presented as part of the NATA Industry Excellence Awards Presentation and Luncheon, to be held in conjunction with the NATA Aviation Business Conference in Nashville, TN, on November 13.

“Whether in the air or on the ground, the business of aviation is only as strong as its people – those in leadership roles and the thousands of others who help keep our aviation system the safest and most robust in the world,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “These deserving individuals represent all of the teams, companies, and professionals that advance our industry every day, and establish models of success and selflessness for all of us to follow.”

NATA is pleased to recognize the following 2024 recipients:

NATA Excellence in Pilot Training Award
Stan McDuffie
Director of Operations and Flight Instructor, SunEx Aviation

An Air Force veteran who served our country for 13 years, Stan McDuffie will be honored with the 2024 NATA Excellence in Pilot Training Award for his tireless devotion to helping Afghan military pilots, allied with the United States during the long-standing war in that country, navigate their way to civilian pilot certificates in the U.S.

From his base at SunEx Aviation in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, where he serves as Director of Operations and Flight Instructor, McDuffie has created a culture of empathy and sensitivity to these pilots' combat war experiences, through which they have felt a sense of belonging, respect, and care during their training. 

Since the program took off, 54 former Afghan military pilots have earned civilian certifications. The pass rate for first attempt on a check ride has been 96%.

NATA Future Leader Award
Myrthe Simons
Director of Commercial Operations Clay Lacy Aviation

Myrthe Simons, Director of Commercial Operations at Clay Lacy Aviation in Addison, TX, will receive the NATA Future Leader Award. The honor recognizes an individual who has shown outstanding promise, passion, and professionalism within the general aviation community.

While the award recognizes the future value of an industry professional, Simons has already made quite a mark at Clay Lacy in just a handful of years. Since coming on board, she has risen up the ladder in a relatively short time. In her current role, Simons supports the four lines of business at Clay Lacy (aircraft management, charter, maintenance, and FBO) through the sales process, including optimization and software.

Simons is emblematic of Clay Lacy’s laser focus on customer service, treating all with the highest respect, and going the extra mile for customers and colleagues.

NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award
John Malecha
Technician, Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems    

John Malecha, a technician at Stevens Aerospace and Defense Systems in Greenville, SC, and an expert for two decades in “turning wrenches,” will receive the NATA General Aviation Service Technician Award.

The award recognizes the outstanding performance of a licensed airframe and powerplant mechanic who has practiced their craft for more than 20 years. Malecha was nominated for his exemplary talent, work ethic, safety focus, and performance as a trainer.

Malecha has more than 25 years as an accomplished A&P working with intricate technical knowledge. He served three years as a sergeant in the United States Air Force, serving as a crew chief on the huge C-130 transport aircraft and earning an Armed Forces service medal. Malecha has also dedicated himself to the future of the A&P profession as a mentor, knowing the profession will only grow as its ranks grow with new talents.

NATA Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional
Hanna Mulugeta
Line Service Ramp Agent, Million Air Dallas

Hanna Mulugeta, who humbly lets her work do the talking as Line Service Ramp Agent at Million Air Dallas, will be honored with the NATA Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional Award.

The NATA Safety 1st Line Service Professional Award is given in recognition of the achievements of certified line service professionals, raising awareness of their positive, organization-wide impact. 

Mulugeta is being awarded – and was nominated – for her steadfast dedication over the past 22 years to cultivating effective client relationships and fostering a culture of safety at Million Air. Her unwavering and professional commitment to customers has been instrumental in helping to shape Million Air Dallas into the success it is today. Her coworkers and managers are quick to say that Mulugeta is consistently sought out by customers when traveling to Addison, often influencing their choice of FBO.

NATA FBO Customer Service Representative Award
Isadora Pena
Customer Support Manager, Banyan Air Service

Isadora Pena, Customer Support Manager at Banyan Air Service in Fort Lauderdale, FL, will receive the NATA FBO Customer Service Representative Award for her tireless efforts toward raising awareness of business aviation and training the next generation of customer service representatives to the same high standards she sets for herself.

Pena has lent her talents to Banyan since 2011, starting out as a customer service representative, working her way up to lead CSR in 2015, supervisor just one year later, and now a customer support manager. 

Throughout her career, Isadora has been recognized as a professional who demonstrates a commitment to training customer service reps, knowing full well that the future growth and strength of the organization rests with those who will rise through the organization. She has devoted considerable time and insight to mentoring tomorrow’s generations of professionals.