NBAA Announces Recipients of 2020 Leadership Scholarships

ORLANDO, FL, Feb. 25, 2020 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that the association’s Business Aviation Management Committee (BAMC) has selected four individuals as recipients of 2020 Leadership Scholarship.

Also, one additional recipient has been selected by both BAMC and FlightSafety International to attend FlightSafety International Leadership for Aviation Professionals (LEAP) training. This generous donation from FlightSafety International offers an additional opportunity for a recipient to take advantage of leadership training that can help individuals grow both personally and professionally.

Each scholarship for the conference attendees includes a value equivalent to $2,000 to cover expenses associated with attendance at NBAA’s 2020 Leadership Conference, taking place Feb. 24-26 in Orlando, FL. The Leadership Conference is designed for current and future leaders in all facets of the business aviation industry, from aircraft operators to vendors who provide products and services within the industry.

The Leadership Scholarship is sponsored in 2020 by donations from Industry and BAMC members. Representatives from each of these companies will be on hand at the Leadership Conference to recognize this year’s recipients.

The 2020 Leadership Conference recipients are:

• Ava Shubat: An IS-BAO accredited auditor based out of Oshkosh, WI, Shubat said she hopes to work in flight department leadership in the next 10 years. By attending the Leadership Conference, she believes she will be equipped to become a “better leader and succeed at these goals and continue to promote aviation safety across the industry.” Shubat volunteers with the NBAA Safety Committee, and has also served in several roles with Women in Corporate Aviation.

• Elliott Taub: Taub, an assistant aviation department manager, has been with his company for more than 13 years. In addition to his position as a captain for the fleet, he  oversees maintenance and dispatching functions within a small departmental team. The opportunity to attend the Leadership Conference will allow him to “disseminate new concepts, techniques and strategies to their team that will translate into continuous operational and safety improvements.” Taub is also a Certified Aviation Manager (CAM).

• Melanie Hight: A flight instructor with OpenAir and recent graduate of Western Michigan University, Hight looks forward to networking at the Leadership Conference and gaining tangible skills to help her grow in her career.

• Zachary Falkenberry: Falkenberry, a captain for Quest Diagnostics, has worked in all facets of aviation. He believes attending the NBAA Leadership Conference will allow him to continue building his network and learning from current mentors in the industry. He also is working on his CAM certification and said meeting leaders in the industry will help him prepare for the exam.

The person chosen to attend the FlightSafety International LEAP training will be enrolled in his or her choice of LEAP module – either Module 1: Succeeding with Corporate Leaders and Functions, or Module 2: Succeeding at the Hangar. This donation by FlightSafety International is geared toward aviation professionals who are current or aspiring leaders, have support from their management teams, are actively pursuing leadership development and have a willingness to provide course testimonials if needed. Learn more about the LEAP program.

The 2020 LEAP Training recipient is:

• Emmanuel Munoz: Munoz, a corporate pilot based out of Dubuque, IA, began his aviation career in the Navy. Starting as an intern with his current company, he has worked his way up to captain in three ears. Attending the LEAP training will help him “develop the thought process, decision making abilities, and vision that is required of an aviation department leader.”

For more information about NBAA’s Business Aviation Management Committee, contact NBAA Vice President, Educational Strategy and Workforce Development Jo Damato at [email protected]  

Learn more about NBAA’s Leadership Conference.

NBAA offers several scholarships to promote professional development and business aviation careers. For more information about NBAA scholarships, contact NBAA Manager, Professional Development, Molly Hitch at [email protected] or visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.