Shining the Light on Wisconsin's Aviation Leaders

By Rose Dorcey

Referred to as "Mr. Aviation" by many of his colleagues, Tom Thomas received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his many contributions to aviation in the State of Wisconsin last week. The Wisconsin Airport Management Association (WAMA) presented the award to Thomas at the 50th Annual Wisconsin Aviation Conference.

Thomas is a former Wisconsin Air National Guard Pilot and Aviation Education and Management Chief for the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics.

"He has really done it all," said Pete Drahn, Executive Director of WAMA. "Before Tom retired from the Wisconsin Bureau of Aeronautics after thirty-plus years, he was a true ambassador for aviation, and the most known, most recognized face in the bureau. He will continue to be an ambassador. Tom will always go the extra ten miles to help anyone."

Surrounded by dozens of family members and hundreds of those he worked with through the years, Thomas said he was truly honored by the award. "I took aviation promotion to heart," said Thomas. "I worked with many fine people in the aviation community, and my family was always supportive."

The WAMA Lifetime Service Award is awarded to persons who have devoted themselves to promoting and serving Wisconsin aviation for at least ten years. WAMA presented several awards at the event, held May 9-11 at the Grand Geneva Resort in Lake Geneva (WI).

Distinguished Service Awards

• Raymond Perry, Chairman, Waukesha Airport Commission and CFI.
• Marilyn Butler, Mead & Hunt Engineering, Madison (WI).
• James Hansford, Manager, Central Wisconsin Airport, Mosinee (WI).

Awarded to persons who have made outstanding contributions to aviation.

Aviation Person of the Year Award

• Marty Lenss, Director of Operations and Public Safety, Dane County Regional Airport, Madison (WI).

Awarded to persons who have distinguished themselves in Wisconsin aviation during the past calendar year

Airport Engineering Award

• Aaron Stewart, Omnni Associates, Appleton (WI).

Awarded to persons who have made significant professional contributions in the airport engineering or architecture fields in Wisconsin.

Blue Light Award

• Dave Weiman, Midwest Flyer Magazine

Awarded to persons in the media who have distinguished themselves by their excellent reporting on Wisconsin aviation.

Presidential Award for Outstanding WAMA Leadership

• Tom Miller

WAMA $750 Scholarship Award

• David Quinn

Wisconsin Aviation Business of the Year

• Tom & Renee Watry, Aero Insurance

Presented by the Wisconsin Aviation Trades Association (WATA).

FMI: www.wiama.org