Will Be Honored At Annual Awards Luncheon For Their Service To The Industry

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen has announced that Kathleen Blouin, the Association’s former senior vice president of conventions and forums, and William H. “Bill” Stine II, NBAA’s former director of international operations, will each receive NBAA’s Pillar of the Association Award, formerly known as the Staff Lifetime Achievement Award.

The two will be recognized during NBAA’s annual awards luncheon, which will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21 in Orlando, FL as part of the Association’s 2014 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2014).

In its 67-year history, NBAA has only recognized two other former employees for their lifetime contributions to NBAA and the business aviation community with the award: Fred McIntosh, who directed operational services and served as architect of Subpart D of FAR Part 91 (now known as Subpart F), and John Pope, who directed membership and administrative programs and founded NBAA’s Corporate Aviation Management Committee and Associate Member Advisory Council.

“NBAA’s convention is the event that brings the business aviation community together each year, so it is the perfect venue for the industry to recognize Kathleen and Bill for their remarkable contributions to our Association and the broader industry,” said Bolen.

“Kathleen was instrumental in the creation and development of the largest business aviation events on four separate continents,” Bolen noted upon Blouin’s decision to step down from her position with NBAA earlier this year. “The shows that Kathleen helped build in the U.S., Latin America, Europe and Asia have unquestionably been premier marketplace events for the industry, and they also have helped advance an understanding of the importance and potential of business aviation in all parts of the world. It is a breathtaking record of accomplishment, and for those of us fortunate enough to be in this industry, Kathleen has, quite literally, changed the world.”

Following Stine’s retirement from the Association, Bolen said: “No one has played a more important role in advancing the technical interests of business aviation worldwide than Bill Stine.” From 1979 until earlier this year, he was NBAA’s resident expert on international business aviation communications, navigation and surveillance issues. In 1981, he was a founding officer of the International Business Aviation Council, which represents the interests of national business aviation organizations on technical issues before the International Civil Aviation Organization and in other international forums.

Upon learning that they would receive NBAA’s Pillar of the Association Award, both Blouin and Stine expressed their gratitude for the special recognition.

“I’m truly honored to be receiving this award, and am in the best of company, with Fred McIntosh and John Pope receiving it before me, and Bill Stine as my partner this year,” said Blouin. “NBAA was my home for 22-plus years, and the Association has provided so many great opportunities to me and the convention team. I am proud to have been a part of showcasing business aviation on four continents.”

“To have spent nearly 35 years in an organization as dynamic as NBAA was truly an aviation dream come true,” remarked Stine. “To be part of a team of so many highly motivated and dedicated staff, directors and association members has been, in all senses of the term, a truly life-fulfilling experience. I am humbled by this award, as it has been my honor to be a small part of such a truly great organization.”

As the world’s largest and most important event for the business aviation community, NBAA2014 offers attendees an unprecedented opportunity to learn about the latest issues affecting the industry. Attendees will have a chance to review the latest in business aviation products, technology and services, participate in dozens of education sessions and make side-by-side comparisons of the industry’s most innovative aircraft on static display.

FMI: www.nbaa.org/events/bace/2014/