BRUCE WHITMAN RECIPIENT OF NATA’S ONG MEMORIAL AWARD
Alexandria, VA, March 20, 2013 – The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is pleased to announce that Bruce N. Whitman, President and CEO of FlightSafety International, is the recipient of the association’s William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award.
NATA annually recognizes individuals, offices, and organizations demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service. NATA's Industry Excellence Awards are given to exceptional individuals and organizations that have helped improve the general aviation community. 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.
Bruce Whitman joined FlightSafety International in 1961 as Assistant to the President after two years as Senior Executive Assistant with the National Business Aircraft Association. Later that year, he was elected Vice President and a Director of the company. In 1962, he was named Executive Vice President and was promoted to his present position in 2003. He is an aviation veteran of nearly six decades and is considered among the industry’s most dedicated leaders.
He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and earned the triple ratings of pilot, navigator and bombardier serving in the Strategic Air Command.
Mr. Whitman currently serves on a number of boards and foundations including Co-Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Nominating Committee of the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, the Air Charter Safety Foundation Board of Governors, Board Member of the Corporate Angel Network, Director Emeritus of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Vice Chairman of the Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation, President of The Wings Club, Trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the National World War II Museum, and several others.
The NATA Board of Directors unanimously selected Mr. Whitman to receive this prestigious honor. “NATA and its members congratulate Bruce and thank him for his tireless efforts and commitment to the general aviation industry,” said NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks.
The award will be presented during the NATA Industry Excellence Awards Dinner on April 22 at the Renaissance Capital View in Arlington, Virginia. The dinner will be held in conjunction with the association's Aviation Business & Legislative Conference.
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NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before Congress and the federal agencies.