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
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.
B. Ben Baldanza
President and COO, Spirit Airlines
Jacob M. Schorr
Chairman and CEO, Spirit Airlines
2004 Award Recipients
Wright Brothers Memorial Award
Todd G. Cole
President, Cole & Wilds Associates, Inc.
Juan Trippe Award
Michael C. Thomas
Manager, FAA Flight Standards District Office, Miami
Corporate Achievement Award
Joe Leonard, Chairman and CEO
2003 Award Recipients
Wright Brothers Memorial Award
Mr. Richard L. Haberly
President, Aviation Consultants USA
Retired Chairman, Arrow Air/Air Global
Glenn H. Curtiss Award
The Honorable A. Jay Cristol
Chief Judge Emeritus, Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Florida
Edward V. Rickenbacker Award
D. Ross Fischer
President, Miami Air International, Inc.
Juan Trippe Award
Bill Jones
General Manager, Chalk’s Ocean Airways