The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) announced the selection of Oris W. Dunham, Jr. as the recipient of the 2018 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence. The award will be presented Nov. 13, during the ACC 40th Annual Conference & Exposition Awards Luncheon in Bermuda.
The Aviation Award of Excellence award is presented annually to recognize an individual’s extraordinary contributions to the aviation industry that are visionary and innovative, have advanced the industry, and have served the good of the general public.
Dunham was selected for the award based on his long and distinguished career as a valuable leader in the airport industry, including holding key executive posts in Seattle, Los Angeles, and Dallas. In September 1991, Dunham was appointed as the first Director General of Airports Council International (ACI), based in Geneva, Switzerland. During the next six years he guided the organization during its formative years and established working relationships with all major aviation organizations. His efforts to strengthen ties between ACI and other aviation organizations began a trend that carries forward today.
“Along with a notable career in leading airport organizations, ACC recognizes Oris for his role in serving as an important source of advice and counsel for many people and organizations in the aviation community,” said ACC President T.J. Schulz. “He has consistently operated with an ’open-door’ approach as a mentor to aviation professionals, providing care and compassion for others in the industry.”
His commitment to supporting his mentees and higher education for the future of aviation has been exemplified by the establishment of two scholarship programs: the Oris W. Dunham, Jr. Scholarship Program and the Sylvia M. Dunham Scholarship Program. He has also assisted in funding scholarships by generously gifting a total of $100,000 to the AAAE Foundation. Overall, Dunham has left an indelible mark on this vibrant community.
