Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics Instructor Al Simon has been named the Ivan D. Livi Aviation Maintenance Educator of the Year Award for 2020. Nominations for the award come from across the country to recognize AMT instructors who, either through a single event or over the span of a career, have a direct impact on Aviation Maintenance students. Mr. Simon joins two other PIA instructors who have received the award since 1990: Michael Smith in 2014 and Brian Allen in 1999.
Mr. Simon’s experience began as a 1969 graduate of PIA, after which he began his service in the United States Marine Corps. His civilian career includes positions at Allegheny Airlines and FedEx. Mr. Simon is currently in his 20th year of teaching at PIA, continuing to hand down his wisdom and experiences to future technicians.
Mr. Simon sees the award as an honor and would like to thank all those who helped make it a possibility. Jason Pfarr, Dean of Academic Affairs at PIA, began the process of nominating Mr. Simon for the award. "Mr. Simon has contributed so much to the education of PIA students over the years. We are truly honored that he has spent his career at our institution."
Mr. Simon will be honored at the Aviation Technician Education Council (ATEC) Annual Conference, scheduled to be held in September 2020 in Fort Worth.
