Recipient To Be Honored At Annual Meeting And Convention
The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Wednesday
announced plans to issue a new award, the John H. Winant Award, in
memory of the legendary NBAA leader and in recognition of members
of NBAA's Board of Directors whose service to the business aviation
community extends well beyond their tenure on the Association's
Board.
"When NBAA's directors conclude their tenure on our Board, they
commonly invest their knowledge, dedication and passion into a
variety of important endeavors that greatly benefit business
aviation," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "We want to
recognize those individuals and their contributions, and it's
appropriate to do so with an award named for a leader whose legacy
is defined by his lifelong passion for and service to business
aviation."
Bolen noted that Winant's association with NBAA extended over
five decades. Elected to the Association's Board of Directors in
1957, he served in all of NBAA's volunteer-elected officer
positions, including what was then president from 1961 to 1964, and
remained on the Board until his appointment as chief staff
executive in 1971. Winant served as NBAA President from 1971 until
1986.
Even in retirement, Winant remained active in his support for
NBAA and business aviation. In 1989, he authored Keep Business
Flying, which covered the development of business aviation and NBAA
from 1947 to 1986. He later co-authored NBAA Works, which
catalogued the spirit and achievement of NBAA from 1986 to
2002.
"It would be difficult to overstate the importance of John
Winant in the development of business aviation in the United States
and around the world," Bolen said in a statement issued earlier
this year. "John was respected and trusted by aviation
professionals, company executives, cabinet secretaries and elected
officials. His integrity, knowledge, dedication and gentle nature
made him an extraordinarily effective advocate for our
community.
NBAA CEO Ed Bolen
"We were deeply saddened by John's
passing, and we want to preserve his memory and spirit by
presenting this award in his name," Bolen continued.
The award will be presented for the first time at a special
luncheon for current and former Members of NBAA's Board of
Directors, to be held during the Association's 62nd Annual Meeting
and Convention in Orlando, FL, from October 20-22.