NATA Recognizes Extraordinary And Meritorious Service To The Industry
The William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award is named in honor and memory of the association’s Co-Founder and first President and is given for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry.
2026 Winner | Jerry Holland, Founder of Sheltair
Those closest to the late Jerry Holland – in the office and in the heart – envision a likely scenario for his reaction to receiving NATA’s highest honor: “Okay, this is great and I appreciate it. So, what are we working on? What’s the next project?”
Jerry Holland was a doer, never content to stand still and always focused on what’s next. From humble beginnings, he created Sheltair and developed the company into the nation’s largest privately-owned aviation network, operating award-winning FBOs and managing over 4.6 million square feet of aviation-related properties across the country.
For his vision, ethics, and dedication to the aviation industry, Jerry Holland will be posthumously presented NATA’s William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award, named in honor and memory of the association’s co-founder and first president. The Ong Award is given for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry.
Current Recipient
2026 – Jerry Holland, Founder, Sheltair
Past Recipients
2025 – Roger Woolsey, CEO, Million Air
2024 – Louis Pepper, CEO, Atlantic Aviation
2023 – S. Michael Scheeringa, Managing Director, SAR Trilogy Management
2021/2022 – Craig R. Sincock, Owner, President, and CEO of Avfuel
2018 – Martin (Marty) H. Hiller, former NATA President (current owner of FBOs Marathon Jet Center and Marathon General Aviation, CEO of Hiller Carbon, and a principal in North Shore Holdings, LLC)
2017 – Larry R. Flynn, former President, Gulfstream Aerospace
2016 – Edward M. Kilkeary, Sr., founder and CEO, L.J. Aviation
2015 – James C. Christiansen
2014 – John Pistole, former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator
2013 – The Honorable Sam Graves (R-MO), U.S. House of Representatives
2012 – Bruce Whitman, FlightSafety International
2011 – Kenneth C. Ricci, Flight Options
2010 – Pat Epps, Epps Aviation
2009 – Gary Driggers, Midcoast Aviation
2008 – Richard Van Gemert, Sr. VP, Jet Aviation
2007 – Ray Fitzgerald, Vice Chairman and Director, Landmark Aviation
2006 – Robert and Kim Showalter, Owners, Showalter Flying Service
2005 – Charles E. Priester, Priester Aviation, LLC
2004 – Russell W. Meyer, Jr., Chairman Emeritus, Cessna Aircraft Company
2003 – Al Ueltschi, founder, FlightSafety International
2002 – Gwen Mayo, founder, Mayo Aviation
2001 – Herb & Arlene Elliott, Elliott Aviation
2000 – William B. Watt
1999 – Clay Lacy, founder, Clay Lacy Aviation
1998 – Julian Jordan “J.J.” Frey, former Vice President of the Seaplane Operation for the EDO Corporation
1997 – Paul E. Sanderson, Vice Chairman, Jeppesen Sanderson
1996 – William R. Cutter, Chairman, Cutter Aviation
1995 – Howard V. Gregory, founder of Des Moines Flying Service
1994 – John T. Tucker, vice chairman, Midcoast Aviation
1993 – Kenneth A. Rowe, former President, National Association of State Aviation Officials
1992 – Thomas H. Davis, founder & former Chairman, Piedmont Aviation, Inc.
1991 – Leighton Collins, founder & Publisher, Air Facts
1990 – Thomas Dickson, Jr., former Vice President, Airwork Service Division
1989 – Robert S. Northington, Sr., former Sr. Vice President, Piedmont Aviation
1988 – G.B. Van Dusen, founder, Van Dusen Aircraft Supplies
1987 – George J. Priester, founder, Priester Aviation
1986 – Harry B. Combs, founder, Combs Aircraft
1985 – George E. Haddaway, former Editor and Publisher, Flight Magazine
1984 – Paul E. Garber, Director Emeritus, National Air & Space Museum