GMAA Scholarship Awards Presentation

Each year, one of the premier affairs for the aviation industry is the Greater Miami Aviation Association’s Wright Brothers Memorial Awards Presentation event benefiting the Association’s Batchelor Aviation Scholarship Fund (formerly the Grover Loening Scholarship Fund).

The highlight of the Awards event is the presentation of The Wright Brothers Trophy, an impressive and beautiful silver trophy cup with the engraved names of past Wright Brothers Memorial Award Recipients. These leaders in aviation have included such notable pioneers as George T. Baker, George Batchelor, Frank Borman, L.B. “Bud” Maytag, Curtiss H. Pitts, John Paul Riddle, Col. Rockwell, Fran Sargent and Gordon Bethune.

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

The Greater Miami Aviation Association Wright Brothers Memorial Award is the most prestigious of the GMAA’s awards. Having begun in 1927 as a pioneering Miami based Florida focused civil aviation advocacy group, today the GMAA membership and activities are concentrated in and encompass the advancement of the aviation and aerospace community on a global scale.

The Greater Miami Aviation Association Wright Brothers Memorial Award parallels the growth and evolution of the GMAA organization. It is proudly presented to an internationally distinguished industry leader whose substantial contribution to the aviation and aerospace community reflects the innovation, vision, conviction and admired business principles attributed to the positive impact and legacy upon aviation of the Wright Brothers.

Juan Trippe Award

This award recognizes the significant contributions made by an individual to the development of international aviation. Juan Trippe started Pan American World Airways, Inc. in 1927. Under his leadership, Pan Am essentially represented America’s commercial aviation policy overseas by pioneering international routes and operating global daily flights.

Glenn H. Curtiss Award

This Award recognizes extraordinary contributors to the air transport, business and private aviation sectors in the Americas and South Florida for their innovation, customer support and product quality and in the field of education.

Amelia Earhart Award

This award celebrates women in aviation and stands for outstanding achievement and accomplishment.

Edward V. Rickenbacker Award

The Edward V. Rickenbacker Award, named for the former Chairman & CEO of Eastern Air Lines, who helped make South Florida a major aviation center and set . His example of the American work ethic is the basis for this award, recognizing an individual whose efforts in commercial aviation have contributed to the economic growth of South Florida.

Corporate Achivement Award

This award recognizes the contributions of a corporation to the aviation industry and the South Florida community.

2015 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Gary Spulak; President: Embraer North America

Juan Trippe Award

Dr. Emilio T. Gonzalez; Director: Miami-Dade Aviation Department

Glenn Curtiss Award

David P. Sutton; Managing Director, Aircraft Acquisitions & Sales: Federal Express Corporation

Amelia Earhart Award

Marilyn DeVoe; Vice President: American Airlines

Edward V. Rickenbacker Award

Fred J. Murphy; President/CEO: F&E Aircraft Maintenance

Corporate Achievement Award

IATA (International Air Transport Association)
Accepting Award will be Peter Cerda

2014 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Abdol Moabery
President & CEO; GA Telesis LLC

Juan Trippe Award

Arthur J. Torno
Senior Vice President for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America; American Airlines

Glenn Curtiss Award

Fabio Alexander
CEO; Miami Executive Aviation

Amelia Earhart Award

Marilyn DeVoe; Vice President: American Airlines

Edward V. Rickenbacker Award

Captain A.J Tolbert
Chair; Department of Aviation & Safety; Florida Memorial University

Corporate Achievement Award

Benny F. Benitez
Founder & CEO; 94th AeroClaims-Aviation Consulting Group

2013 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Mr. David Bassett
CEO and Founder; Amerijet International Inc.Juan Trippe Award

Glenn Curtiss Award

Mr. Walter E. Houghton
Assistant Professor; Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

Juan Trippe Award

Mr. Cristián Ureta
CEO; LAN Cargo

2012 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Mr. Frederick W. Smith; Chairman, CEO & Founder, FedEx

Juan Trippe Award

Mr. Alexandre de Gunten Executive Director; ALTA (International Association of Latin American Air Transport)

Glenn Curtiss Award

Roger D. Jarman: President; Historical Flight Foundation, Inc.
Marc A. Wolff: President & CEO; Turks Air Cargo, Inc.
Juan Carlos Gomez: COO; Turks Air Cargo, Inc.

2011 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Mr. David P. Storch Chairman & CEO; AAR Corp.

Amelia Earhart Award

Mrs. Peggy Chabrian Founder; Women in Aviation International

Corporate Achivement Award

Mr. Konrad Walter President and C.O.O.; CTS Engines

Glenn Curtiss Award

Mr. Kendrick Meek Former United States House of Representatives member

2010 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

German Efromovich
President, Synergy Group; Board Member, Avianca/TACA

Amelia Earhart Award

Helen Snapp
World War II Woman Air Force Service Pilot

Glenn Curtiss Award

William Rivenbark Manager
Customer Support; Airbus

2009 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Jose Abreu
Director, Miami-Dade Aviation Department

Juan Trippe Award

Roberto Kriete
Chairman and CEO, TACA International

Edward V. Rickenbacker Award

Roland H. Moore, P.A.

2008 Awards Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Ben Quevedo
President, Aero Technologies

Juan Trippe Award

Capt. David Barioni
President, TAM Airlines

Glenn H. Curtiss Award

Sean Gallagan
Principal, George T. Baker Aviation School

2007 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Mansour Rasnavad

Mansour Rasnavad
Florida West International Airways

Juan Trippe Award

David Basset
Amerijet International, Inc.

Glenn H. Curtiss Award

David Sandri
Universal Cargo Doors & Service, Inc.

Pioneer Award

Barrington Irving
Experience Aviation

2006 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Capt. Vito LaForgia
President, Aeroservice Aviation Center, LLC.

2005 Award Recipients

Wright Brothers Memorial Award

Gordon Bethune
Former Chairman, Continental Airlines

Corporate Achievement Award

This award recognizes the contributions of a corporation to the aviation industry and the South Florida community through industry leadership, education, civic or charitable work.