Michael Baker International on May 25, announced that aviation expert Claudia Holliway was recently honored by the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) for her leadership and commitment to the industry. Holliway, vice president and national aviation business development lead, received the AAAE Leadership Award at the 89th Annual AAAE Conference and Exposition in Long Beach, Calif.
The award recognizes individuals for their outstanding leadership in the aviation industry and dedication to the AAAE organization and mission. The frequency of the award and number of recipients is selected at the discretion of the current AAAE Chair. This year's Chair, Carl Newman, A.A.E., selected Holliway for the sole accolade.
"I am incredibly humbled to receive this AAAE Leadership Award, which I feel should be shared with many of my industry colleagues and mentors and with Michael Baker," said Holliway. "These people have supported me throughout my career, and I am proud to work alongside them. Thank you to AAAE for this recognition and especially to Chairman Newman, who shares the same devotion and passion for aviation as I do."
With 20 years in the aviation industry and 11 years at Michael Baker, Holliway has extensive experience and knowledge in the field and on national aviation projects. Currently, she serves as a special liaison to multiple airports on behalf of Michael Baker's existing contracts, where she acts as an extension of the project team to ensure effective communications between airport staff, the FAA and local Department of Transportation (DOT) Aeronautics/Aviation divisions.
As an active member of AAAE for 20 years, Holliway has served as a National Board Member and Chair of the AAAE Corporate Committee. She currently serves on several specialty committees for the national organization and is deeply involved in the Southwest, Northeast, Northwest and South Central chapters, most recently as the Annual Conference Site Selection Committee Chair and major Scholarship Foundation Fundraiser for Southeast chapter. Holliway recently was appointed as Vice Chair of the AAAE Foundation Committee.
"I am honored to present this very special award to Claudia – a dear friend and colleague to many in the industry," said Newman, First Past Chair of AAAE and CEO at Jackson Municipal Airport Authority. "She has served AAAE in many ways and has been deeply involved with helping to grow and improve the organization. Her commitment to AAAE and enthusiasm for aviation over the past two decades is outstanding, and she is most deserving of this Leadership Award."
Additionally, Holliway is an expert speaker and panel moderator for many national and local industry events and conferences, and was recognized in 2009 and 2014 as Southeast Chapter AAAE Corporate Member of the Year.
