AAAE awards recognize contributions of airport industry leaders

The American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) recognized three individuals and one company for their contributions to the airport industry with awards presented at the association’s recent 84th Annual Conference and Exposition in Phoenix, Arizona.

AAAE honored Bob Bogan, A.A.E., deputy executive director of Morristown (N.J.) Municipal Airport, and Jim Rice, A.A.E., director of Michigan’s Bishop International, with the 2012 and 2013 Distinguished Services Awards (DSA), respectively. One of AAAE’s highest levels of recognition, airport professionals receive the DSA as a reflection of outstanding accomplishments in their professional and personal lives. DSA winners exemplify the best in airport management by continually bringing credit to the profession and the aviation community.

The Chair’s Award was presented to Jim Elwood, A.A.E., director of Colorado’s Aspen/Pitkin County Airport. First established in 1954, the Chair’s Award is given at the discretion of the AAAE chair to an individual for his or her outstanding contribution to the airport management profession and to AAAE. Outgoing AAAE Chair Kelly L. Johnson, A.A.E., recognized Elwood for his contributions to the industry, including serving as AAAE chair and as president of both the Northwest Chapter of AAAE and the Colorado Airport Operators Association.

On the corporate front, Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. was awarded the prestigious AAAE Corporate Cup of Excellence for 2012. The Corporate Cup has been presented annually since 1986 to the company that has made the most significant contributions and improvements to the airport industry and to AAAE. A committee of airport executives who serve on the AAAE Board of Directors selects recipients of the Corporate Cup.

Some 2,000 industry executives attended the conference, which was held April 29-May 2 and hosted by Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.