The purpose of the ACC Aviation Award of Excellence is to recognize the extraordinary contributions of an individual, group, or organization to the airport and aviation industry that are visionary and innovative, have advanced the airport aviation industry, and have served the general public good. The recipients’ lifetime achievements are also considered. The award is given during the ACC Annual Conference & Exposition each November.
Past Recipients
2024 Open Doors Organization (ODO)
2023 Huntley Lawrence
2022 Ginger Evans
2021 Christina Cassotis, Allegheny County Airport Authority
2020 Mary Rose Loney
2019 John Duval, Austin Commercial
2018 Oris Dunham
2017 Representative John Mica, Former Congressman
2016 Jeffrey Hamiel, Metropolitan Airports Commission, Executive Director/CEO
2015 John L. Martin, San Francisco International Airport, Director
2014 Thella F. Bowens, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority, Director /CEO
2013 Randall (Randy) H. Walker, Former Clark County Aviation Department Director
2012 Angela Gittens, ACI World, Director General
2011 Catherine (Kate) M. Lang, Federal Aviation Administration, Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports
2010 Benjamin R. DeCosta, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Former Department of Aviation general manager
2009 Edmund S. “Kip” Hawley, Transportation Security Administration, Former Administrator
2008 Gina Marie Lindsay, Los Angeles World Airports, Executive Director
2007 James “Jim” E. Bennett, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, President and CEO
2006 Frederick W. Smith, FedEx Corporation, Chairman, President and CEO
2005 Jeffrey P. Fegan, Dallas-Ft. Worth International Airport, CEO
2004 James C. DeLong, A.A.E., Louisville Airport Authority, Former Director of Aviation
2003 Lydia Kennard, Los Angeles World Airports, Executive Director
2002 Norman Y. Mineta, U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary
2001 Bombardier Aerospace, Manufacturer of the CRJ Series Regional Jet
2000 Bud Shuster, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Chairman
2000 James L. Oberstar, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Ranking Democratic Member
1999 Donald D. Engen, National Air and Space Museum, Director
1998 Bethune, Continental Airlines, Chairman and CEO
1997 Aviation Week Group, Publishers of Aviation Daily & Airports
1996 Herbert D. Kelleher, Southwest Airlines, President, Chairman of the Board and CEO
1993 Leonard L. Griggs, Federal Aviation Administration, Assistant Administrator for Airports
1992 Federico F. Pena, City of Denver, Former Mayor
1991 Samuel K. Skinner, U.S. Department of Transportation, Secretary
1990 Clifton A. Moore, Los Angeles Department of Airports, Executive Director
