Also Recognizes Association's Long-Time Safety Advocate Amy B. Koranda

NATA will honor former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John S. Pistole with the 2015 William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award and announced that long-time NATA employee Amy B. Koranda is the recipient of NATA’s Distinguished Service Award.

The William A. Ong Memorial Award – NATA’s highest honor – is named in memory of Bill Ong, NATA's co-founder and its first president. John Pistole i(pictured) will be recognized for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry. Pistole is well-known for his decisive leadership of TSA and for promoting a philosophical change in the administration’s approach to security through the introduction of highly effective intelligence-driven programs. Risk-based security programs, including TSA PreCheck and Known CrewMember have substantially improved the effectiveness and efficiency of passenger screening at airports across the nation. Prior to TSA, Pistole was a 26-year veteran of the FBI with extensive national security and counterterrorism experience. He currently is the president of Anderson University in Anderson, IN.

"John Pistole’s leadership of TSA resulted in dramatic and positive improvements to the American public’s travel experience.  His advocacy and implementation of risk-based security programs significantly improved the efficiency of airport checkpoint screening and enhanced safety for all travelers.  Over one million Americans are now enrolled in TSA PreCheck and U.S. airline crewmembers have been screened using Known CrewMember more than 25 million times. These are tangible measures of John’s commitment to a less intrusive yet safer flying experience,” stated NATA President and CEO Thomas L. Hendricks.

This year’s NATA's Distinguished Service Award, recognizing outstanding service and ongoing contributions to the general aviation industry, goes to NATA’s own Amy B. Koranda. Koranda held several titles over her 17-year career at NATA, originally joining the association staff to develop and manage NATA’s renowned Safety 1st Professional Line Service Training (PLST Online). In her many years as head of Safety 1st, she led the development of many other successful industry safety training seminars, products and services. As NATA’s Vice President of Operations, Amy served as staff liaison of NATA’s Airport Business Committee, managed the association’s major events and helped to ensure a successful move and transition for NATA to its new home in Washington, D.C.

"We are proud of Amy’s many achievements over the past 17 years that significantly advanced and promoted safety throughout the industry. Her dedication to NATA’s members and their businesses is unmatched and resulted in the creation of the gold standard in safety training programs, Safety 1st PLST Online. Amy is known by countless professionals in the industry as a colleague and friend and NATA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to honor her with NATA’s Distinguished Service Award,” said Hendricks.

“It is our pleasure to recognize two safety-minded individuals for their dedication and impressive achievements. John Pistole’s and Amy Koranda’s legacies include safety and security programs that will continue to benefit our industry for years to come,” added Hendricks.

Pistole and Koranda will join other Industry Excellence Award recipients for a ceremony during NATA’s Aviation Business Conference on June 17th at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

FMI: http://nata.aero