NOMINATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED NOW THROUGH JULY 1, 2025
Each year, the Florida Airports Council honors airport and corporate members with special recognition. These nominations can be made by any Florida Airports Council member and submitted electronically. Awards will be presented in-person during the 2025 Annual Conference in Tampa.
The Aviation Leadership Award is presented to a professional or individual that has demonstrated outstanding service and contribution to the Florida aviation/airport community, the Florida Airports Council, its Board of Directors, the Education Foundation, or one or more Council committees. Membership in the Florida Airports Council is not a prerequisite for this award. This award recognizes achievements specifically over the preceding two years.
The Corporate Eagle (Member of the Year) Award is presented to the Corporate Member that has performed a service or function for the Florida Airports Council, the Board of Directors, the Education Foundation, or one or more Council committees, considered to be “above and beyond the call of duty.” This award recognizes achievements specifically over the preceding two years, but may also recognize cumulative contributions, if warranted. The recipient of this award must be a firm in good standing as a current member of FAC.
Past Award Recipients: 2024 Aviation Leadership Award: Rick Piccolo, CEO, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport 2024 Corporate Eagle Award: Mindy Price, Direct Effect Solutions
Facilities Awards
Honorary Mark Winkelmann Blue Light Award
NOMINATIONS ARE BEING ACCEPTED NOW THROUGH JUNE 6, 2025
This award recognizes an airport employee who has demonstrated exemplary service, skill, and aptitude, specifically in the airport facilities and maintenance field. This award is for an individual actively working in the field of maintenance and repairs. (Please do not nominate managers and executive staff for this award.)
The award, composed of a taxiway light mounted on a handsome wooden plaque, will be presented at the 56th Annual Florida Airports Council Conference & Exposition in Tampa, FL at the Leadership Brunch and General Membership Meeting on Wednesday, August 6th.
The award selection panel is accepting nominations now through June 6, 2025, for any person actively employed by an airport, general aviation or commercial, and has proven themselves extraordinarily in their field. Nomination submittals should include the following:
✈ Full name, title, address, and phone number of your nominee, along with the name of the individual submitting the recommendation. ✈ A brief 3,000-character narrative describing why the nominee deserves the recognition. Please include supporting facts. ✈ If selected, please indicate whether the nominee will attend the FAC Conference and Exposition to receive the recognition. The selection criteria is based upon the tangible benefits received by an airport, the traveling public, or the aviation community in general as a direct result of the person’s efforts, dedication and professionalism, and innovative or pioneering spirit.
Click hereto submit a nomination. If you have any questions, please contact Brandon Sealey at [email protected].
Past Award Recipient: 2024 - George Vernum, Lee County Port Authority
To recognize member airports for promoting, implementing or undertaking environmental projects and programs that have a positive effect on the Florida aviation system.
To recognize a Florida Airports Council member, whether an individual, airport, or corporate business, for planning, designing, promoting, implementing, and/or undertaking a unique and innovative sustainability project and/or program that has a net positive environmental and resiliency effect on the Florida aviation system.
This award honors Ben Siwinski who was an early innovator in airport sustainability practices and a strong advocate for enhancing airport environmental resiliency in Florida and nationally.
To recognize outstanding leaders, whether individuals or agencies, that have exemplified vision, inspiration, leadership and significantly contributed to environmental standards in aviation design, permitting, and construction or innovations in balancing airport development and protecting the environment.
DEADLINE: July 3, 2025
Past Award Recipients: 2024 - J. Bryan Cooper Vision Award: Mariben Andersen, Michael Baker International 2024 - J. Bryan Cooper Environmental Project Award: Southwest Florida International Airport 2024 - Benjamin J. Siwinski Sustainability Award: Tampa International Airport
Operations Awards
HONORARY AL GULAMALI AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN AIRPORT OPERATIONS
NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED NOW THROUGH JUNE 6, 2025
To recognize an individual who works in the field of Airport Operations that has provided a positive contribution to an airport, the traveling public, or to the overall aviation community. This award honors Al Gulamali who was the Director of Operations and Safety for the Lee County Port Authority (RSW) and was the Operations Committee’s first Chair back in 2015. Al helped make the committee a success through his amazing leadership skills and work ethic. Al would always make everyone feel welcome and provided necessary humor as part of every conversation. Al liked to remind all of Maya Angelou's quote, “I've learned people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” He contributed so much not only to the Operations Committee, but also to the personal successes of many airport leaders around the state. Al passed away in December 2019 and left behind a legacy as a mentor and friend to many. This annual award will be presented at the Annual Conference Leadership Brunch.
Nomination Information: Submitted nominations will be reviewed by an award selection committee consisting of members from the Operations Committee. The selection committee will choose one individual who works in the airport operations field that has provided a positive contribution to an airport, the traveling public, or to the aviation community. To be eligible for the award, the individual must be actively working in the field of airport operations (airside, landside, or terminal), but not on a managerial level or a part of the airport’s executive staff. Nominations should include:
Nominee contact information (full name, job title, airport name).
A narrative describing specific details on why the nominee is deserving of the award. Any supporting documentation or pictures should be attached to the nomination. Please limit the narrative to 750 words.
Contact information for person submitting the nomination.
Indicate if the nominee would be able to attend the award ceremony at the Annual Conference to receive award.
Questions and completed nominations should be emailed to FAC Operations Committee leadership members Thomas Vergo ([email protected]) and Adam Lunn ([email protected]). Please submit all nominations via email by Friday, June 6, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Past Award Recipient: 2024 - Shawn Burkett, Lakeland-Linder International Airport
