Investing in Aviation’s Future

The Aircraft Electronics Association's (AEA) Educational Foundation has announced the names of the individuals awarded scholarships for the 2023-24 academic year.

The AEA Educational Foundation annually awards scholarships to students pursuing careers in avionics or aircraft maintenance, as well as students from AEA member companies. The Foundation was created in 1990 to enhance, promote, and secure the future of aviation maintenance by furthering the education of students, technicians, members of the AEA, and others as determined by aviation industry needs.

2023’s AEA Educational Foundation scholarships were awarded to:

• Bill Barnes Memorial Scholarship: Tyler Plane of Somerville, Massachusetts.
• Chuck Freeland Memorial Scholarship: Matthew Ruggiano of Coral Springs, Florida.
• Chuck Peacock Memorial Scholarship: Lei Huot, of St. Augustine, Florida.
• David Arver Memorial Scholarship: Cindy Le of Stafford, Texas.
• Dutch and Ginger Arver Memorial Scholarship: Cedar Sobek of Litchfield, Connecticut.
• Field Aviation Scholarship: Alea Mclaren of Vancouver, British Columbia.
• Garmin Scholarship: Kaiden Forest of Brush Prairie, Washington.
• Garmin - Jerry Smith Memorial Scholarship: Isabella Hoerchler of St. Libory, Illinois.
• Gene Baker Memorial Scholarship: Jade Newkirk of Arvada, Colorado.
• Gogo Business Aviation Scholarship: Sarah Michalak of Cary, Illinois.
• Johnny Davis Memorial Scholarship: Joseph Sherwood of Newark Valley, New York.
• Kent McIntyre Memorial Scholarship: Oliver Watson of St. George, Utah.
• Kevin Miesbach Memorial Scholarship: Lauren Peck of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
• Lee Tarbox Memorial Scholarship sponsored by Pacific Southwest Instruments: Kyle Stengel of Watertown, South Dakota.
• Marshall Temple Memorial Scholarship: John Kendall of Iron, Minnesota.
• Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics Scholarship: Micah Chin of Germantown, Maryland.
• Monte Mitchell Scholarship: Daniel Grainger of Bridgewater, Virginia.
• Pat Napolitano Memorial Scholarship: Kayla Hesano of Carbondale, Illinois.
• Sporty's Foundation Scholarship: Isaias Duran Ramirez of Lakeland, Florida.
• Susan T. Friedle Scholarship: Zachary Minchew of Carterville, Illinois.
• The Stone Foundation Scholarship: Joel Mink of Florence, Kentucky.
• Universal Avionics Scholarship: Austin Reenders of Oostburg, Wisconsin.

New scholarships awarded in 2023 include the Kevin Miesbach Memorial Scholarship and the Susan T. Friedle Scholarship. Known formerly as the Duncan Aviation Scholarship, the former award was renamed in honor of Mr. Miesbach, a forty-year aviation industry veteran and longtime Duncan Aviation employee who received the AEA Member of the Year Award in 2020.

Also awarded for the first time was the Susan T. Friedle Scholarship—named in honor of CE Avionics’s co-founder. An instrument and multi-engine-rated Private Pilot, Friedle’s familiarity with aviation and avionics significantly benefited her company and its customers.

Since its inception, the AEA has awarded more than $1.5-million in scholarships. Individuals interested in applying for the Association’s 2024-’25 academic year scholarships may download applications for such after 01 October 2023 at: aea.net/scholarship.

Founded in 1957 to educate, communicate, and advocate for businesses engaged in the manufacture, support, and installation of aircraft electrical components and avionics, the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than forty countries.

FMI: www.aea.net