NATA Recognizes Outstanding Contributions To The Industry
The Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual or organization still active in general aviation on a regular, day-to-day basis and recognizes outstanding service and ongoing contributions to the industry.
2025 Winner | Michael Grossmann, Founder & CEO of Castle Aviation
Sometimes you just don’t know the magnitude of your impact on an industry until dozens of people remind you.
When Michael Grossmann was announced as the 2025 recipient of one of NATA’s biggest honors — the Distinguished Service Award – there was no shortage of messages from people far and wide.
“While the award was a complete surprise, I was floored by how many people have responded to the LinkedIn post and my Facebook post, even people that I haven’t heard from in many, many years,” Grossmann explained. “All of these people all of a sudden saying congratulations and well deserved.”
To know Grossmann and to understanding his impact, that magnitude of well wishes should not come as a surprise, as he embodies the award’s acknowledgement of “an individual or organization still active in general aviation on a regular, day-to-day basis and recognizes outstanding service and ongoing contributions to the industry.”
Current Recipient
2025 – Michael Grossmann, Founder & CEO, Castle Aviation
Past Recipients
2024 – Andy Priester, Chairman, George J. Priester Aviation
2023 – Greg Schmidt, President & CEO, Pentastar Aviation, LLC
2021/2022 – William “Bill” Bohlke, former President of Bohlke International Aviation
2018 – Don Campion, President, Banyan Air Service
2016 – David Todd Duncan, Chairman, Duncan Aviation
2015 – Mark C. Willey, CEO and Managing Partner, Napa Jet Center
2014 – Amy Koranda, former Vice President of Operations, National Air Transportation Association
2013 – Marian Epps, Epps Aviation
2012 – Jim Miller, Nextant Aerospace
2011 – Mary M. Miller, Signature Flight Support and BBA Aviation
2010 – James C. Christiansen, Hawker Beechcraft
2009 – Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Chairman of US House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation
2008 – James J. Ballough, Director, Flight Standards Service, Federal Aviation Administration
2007 – Mike Sweeney, Chairman and CEO, United States Aviation Underwriters
2006 – Dr. Bruce J. Holmes, Associate Director for Airspace and Vehicle Systems Integration, Airspace Systems Programs Office, NASA Langley Research Center
2005 – Michael W. Delk, Air BP Aviation Services
2004 – Arlene and Clarke Thomas, Owners, Fostaire Helicopter
2003 – Deputy Secretary Admiral James Loy, Department of Homeland Security
2002 – Tom Slavin, General Manager, Million Air – Cleveland
2001 – The Honorable Jane Garvey, FAA Administrator
2000 – Congressman Jimmy Duncan
1999 – Guy Hill, Sr., President, Hill Aviation
1998 – Robert P. Anderson, former President of AMR Combs
1997 – James E. Timmons, Air BP
1996 – Malcom S. (Mack) Graham, Business Jet Solutions
1995 – Ed Stimpson, President, General Aviation Manufacturers Association
1994 – J. Robert Duncan, Chairman, Duncan Aviation
1993 – Peter G. Tanis, President, Tanis Aviation
1992 – A.M. Weather, a service of Maryland Public Television
1991 – Aviation Sales Department, Phillips Petroleum Company
1990 – J. Patrick Murphy, Vice President, Marketing & Product Support, AVIALL
1989 – Arlene E. and Herbert R. Elliott, founders, Elliott Flying Serice
1988 – Sky-Life Foundation, Inc.
1987 – Honorable Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. House of Representatives
1986 – Howard V. Gregory, founder, Des Moines Flying Service
1985 – United States Aircraft Insurance Group
1984 – Neward Sector TRACON Team, FAA