Orlando, FL, Oct. 19, 2014 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), through NBAA Charities, offers a wide range of scholarships that support young people seeking careers in business aviation. This week at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2014), students will be recognized for receiving the following awards: UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship, Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship, William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship, Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship, NORDAM Dee Howard/Eitenne Fage Scholarship and the new Eddie Queen Aviation Management Scholarship.
The recipients will be recognized at a press conference on Oct. 22 at 1 p.m. in the Orange County Convention Center, Room N220B.
UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship
The UAA Janice K. Barden Aviation Scholarship is named for the founder of Aviation Personnel International, who has been active in the aviation community for decades and has served many times as the local committee chair of NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition. The following five college students studying aviation-related curricula at NBAA and University Aviation Association (UAA) Member institutions have been selected to receive this year’s Barden scholarship:
- Clayton Marr, a senior at Arizona State University (ASU), is studying aeronautical management technology and professional flight. He is a certified flight instructor at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport and has been an altitude chamber operator at ASU, an airline ramp agent, Alpha Eta Rho president and ASU American Association of Airport Executives chapter vice president.
- Francisco Patrana is a junior studying aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL. He is a certified flight instructor and participated in the NIFA region SAFECON in 2011. Patrana was selected for both the Outstanding Member Award and Community Service Award from the aviation fraternity Alpha Eta Rho. He plans to obtain a master’s degree in aerospace engineering with a minor in pilot technology. He would like to be a flight test pilot and hopes to be accepted at the United States Air Force Test Pilot School.
- Taylor Ratliff is a senior at Oklahoma State University (OSU), majoring in aerospace administration and operations with a pro pilot/aviation management minor. She holds a private pilot license and is president of OSU Women in Aviation. Ratliff assisted with the National Intercollegiate Flying Association regional competition, and is a member of the OSU Flying Aggies as well as being an aviation dispatcher for OSU.
- Scott Singleton is a senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ, where he studies aeronautical science with a minor in business administration. Singleton’s career goal is to fly for a major corporation. He has a PPL and instrument airplane rating with more than 150 hours. He has been an intern with ExpressJet Airlines in Atlanta, GA, and is a member of AOPA. Singelton has also been involved with Safe Haven Animal Rescue and Sanctuary.
- Jonathan Wright is a junior at Kent State University, majoring in flight technology. He holds a private pilot license and is a member of the Honors College at Kent State. Wright is employed as a golf caddy at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, PA. He has assisted in various charity drives, helping to raise more than $21,000 for Cornerstone of Hope, a local grieving center.
Alan H. Conklin Business Aviation Management Scholarship
The Conklin Scholarship was created to honor the memory of Al Conklin, a U.S. Air Force veteran, business aviation leader and member of NBAA’s Operations Committee for many years.
This year’s recipient is Kyle Budewitz, a senior at Lewis University majoring in aviation flight management with a minor in business administration. He has a private pilot license with an instrument rating and is working on his commercial license. He has worked as a line service technician at Dodge County Airport in Wisconsin. As a member of the Lewis University Flight Team, Budewitz competed in the 2014 National SAFECOM, where the team finished 10th nationally. He placed ninth individually out of 135 competitors in simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation.
William M. Fanning Maintenance Scholarship
The Fanning Scholarship recognizes individuals who are studying to enter the field of business aviation maintenance. The scholarship is named in honor of retired NBAA staff member William M. Fanning, who was active in maintenance issues during his nearly 20-year tenure at the Association.
This year’s recipients are:
- Mark Brutke is a junior at South Seattle College, where he has been on the honor roll and dean’s list. In 2016, he will complete the two-year program for both airframe and power plant certificates, along with an associate’s of applied science degree in aeronautical technology. Brutke plans to further his studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in workplace/occupational safety.
- Justin Moore has been accepted into the airframe and powerplant program at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks Community and Technical College. Moore’s many extracurricular activities have included the Talkeetna Build-a-Plane, through which he is currently working on a Cherokee 6/PA32-300 aircraft. Since 2011, he has worked at K2 Aviation as a summer aviation mechanic helper. Moore is also dedicated to community service; he assisted with evacuation, sand bagging and helping to move household goods out of danger during the Talkeetna flood of 2011.
Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship
The Lawrence Ginocchio Aviation Scholarship was created in 2001 by NBAA Charities, and the family and friends of the late Lawrence Ginocchio, to honor his outstanding personal contribution to business aviation. Recipients should possess a passion for aviation and should have utilized their interest or involvement in business aviation to enhance the lives of others. This year, the following students received this award:
- Dana Atkins is a junior at University of North Dakota (UND), majoring in aviation management. Her career goal is to work abroad for the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO) as a liaison between local governments and ICAO. Atkins is part of the Student Aviation Management Association, in which she will be conference co-director for the 2014 to 2015 academic year. Atkins has been on the UND Flying Team – National Intercollegiate Flying Association since spring 2014, and is a private pilot with 120 total hours. Atkins has performed volunteer work at Kishwaukee Community Hospital.
- William Dirks is a sophomore at University of North Dakota, majoring in aviation management. He is a member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) at UND, and was awarded Outstanding Cadet MSI/MSII for 2013/2014. Dirks has served as the ROTC Raider’s Club president since 2013, and he has been an EAA Chapter 1342 member since 2013. He holds a private pilot license. Dirks has volunteered at the Special Olympics and at UND sporting events.
- Nathan Douglas is a sophomore at Western Michigan University, studying aviation flight science. He has his private pilot license and earned his instrument rating in May 2014. He plans to continue his commercial training to become a certified flight instructor. Douglas has performed extensive volunteer work, including assisting the KRESA Young Adult Program as a weekly volunteer.
- Nicholas Meyer is a junior at the University of North Dakota, studying aviation management and air traffic control. He holds his private pilot license, and as a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, he assisted with the annual B-17 Flying Fortress Tour in Van Nuys, CA. Meyer was awarded a Congressional Award Gold Medal, which is presented by the United States Congress to young adults who have achieved goals in public service, personal development, fitness and exploration. Meyer volunteered for two terms as president for Aviation Explorer Post 747, where he raised more than $2,000.
- Logan Salaki, a senior at Arizona State University, is majoring in air traffic management and aeronautical management technology. He worked as a training department intern at the Federal Aviation Administration in Phoenix, AZ. He has been a student member of American Association of Airport Executives since 2013, and treasurer for the Alpha Eta Rho Professional Aviation Fraternity since 2011. Salaki has performed volunteer work at Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity and Falcon Field Airport.
NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship
The NORDAM Dee Howard/Etienne Fage Scholarship was created by NBAA Charities and NORDAM to honor the lifetime achievements of two aerospace engineering pioneers, Dee Howard and Etienne Fage.
This year’s recipient is Ciara Thompson, a senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ, where she is studying aerospace engineering. Thompson learned about business aviation as a teenager in Ghana, where she saw its direct benefits to the livelihood of the community. She has been a member of the Society of Women Engineers since 2011, and in that time she has held almost every title available; currently serving as president. Thompson has been on the dean’s list every year since 2011, and during the 2012-13 school year, she was awarded the Best Female Student of the College of Engineering award. Throughout her studies, she has worked on several engineering projects with the Society of Women Engineers, and she is currently conducting research on computational fluid dynamics. Thompson wants to expand aviation through businesses in developing countries to give students and communities in those countries the same opportunities that she has.
Eddie Queen Business Aviation Management Scholarship
Along with Signature Flight Support, NBAA Charities created the Eddie Queen Business Aviation Management scholarship to honor the memory of Eddie Queen, a Signature Flight Support line service technician for 58 years. His dedication and commitment were an inspiration to all who benefitted from his service. Applicants must show a passion for aviation and demonstrate superior customer service skills, as Eddie Queen did.
This year’s recipient is Aaron Lenkersdorfer, a sophomore at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. He has a 4.0 grade point average, and is working toward a bachelor’s degree in aviation administration. Upon graduation, Lenkersdorfer plans to become a U.S. Army aviation officer. He is a dispatcher at the Utah Valley University College of Aviation and Public Services, and a soldier in the Utah Army National Guard with the 211 Aviation Regiment. He is also an Eagle Scout and member of the Utah Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Lenkersdorfer has served as a volunteer in Russia and Belarus and is fluent in Russian.
To learn more about the numerous scholarship opportunities offered by NBAA Charities, contact Jay Evans, director, professional development, at (202) 783-9353 or jevans@nbaa.org, or visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.
For complete coverage of NBAA2014, visit the NBAA2014 Online News Bureau.
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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 10,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
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