Small FBO Earns NATA's Top Award

Thomas Slavin, president of Million Air Cleveland, a fixed-based operation (FBO) facility, has received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Air Transportation Association (NATA).  The highest award bestowed by the NATA on an individual or organization, the award recognizes outstanding service and ongoing contributions to the aviation industry.

NATA President James K. Coyne presented Slavin with a plaque in front of an audience of approximately 100 attendees at the annual Aviation Services and Suppliers Supershow (AS3), currently taking place at the Las Vegas Hilton.

To determine the 2003 recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, nominations were solicited by NATA members and then voted on by the NATA board members.

Slavin was nominated based on two factors:

• He played a key role in the creation of a certification-training program – Safety First – designed to teach line service technicians how to operate equipment safely. While originally launched at Million Air Cleveland, today there are more than 500 FBOs that have adopted the Safety First program.
• Slavin has played an integral role in setting up focus groups with renowned experts to discuss security measures at general aviation airports and FBO facilities. The purpose of the focus group was to discuss how general aviation might take a proactive role in addressing security and  regulatory concerns resulting from September 11.

"As the operator of a small FBO, I never thought I would be in the running for such a prestigious award," Slavin said. "Collectively, staff and management have strived mightily to make our FBO an industry leader. Receipt of this award is the greatest recognition I could ever imagine."

Slavin is in elite company as a winner of this award. Previous recipients have included Jane Garvey, then-administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (2002) and John Duncan, chairman of the U.S. House Aviation Sub-Committee (2001).

"One of the elements that makes Million Air an extremely successful chain is our extraordinary team of FBO owners who go the extra mile and make good things happen," said Roger Woolsey, chief executive officer of Million Air Interlink, Inc., the franchise operating company. "Not only has Thomas provided exceptional service to his regular customer base in Million Air Cleveland, he has been a dedicated contributor to the general aviation industry. I am privileged to be on his team and to have him as a part of the Million Air family and congratulate him on this outstanding accomplishment."

FMI: www.millionair.com; www.nata-online.org