Washington, DC, July 14, 2015 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced the recipients of its Certified Aviation Manager Scholarship, which benefits individuals seeking to become NBAA Certified Aviation Managers (CAMs) or renew their CAM credential. The scholarships, which are given annually, promote professional development in business aviation by providing financial support for qualified CAM exam candidates.
The 2015 recipients are:
- Thomas J. Bumpus – Currently a GIV captain with Pentastar Aviation in Ypsilanti, MI, Bumpus has worked for Taubman Asset Group in Pontiac, MI and Executive Jet Aviation in Columbus, OH as a Hawker 800 XP first officer. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor's degree in aviation management and a minor in flight technology and business. "Achieving CAM credentialing is a cornerstone of my individualized plan of study," he said. "With my advanced education and CAM certification, I hope to one day be a leader and role model within a flight department."
- Jose Serra – Serra, a current CAM, is a captain with NII Holdings, Inc. in Bethesda, MD. Serra has type ratings in several aircraft, including the Falcon 7X, Global Express and Boeing 737. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from The Catholic University of America, is fluent in Portuguese and proficient in Spanish and French. Serra aims to work his way up into a management position.
- Ann Widay – Widay is a staff aviation analyst with Qualcomm, Inc. in San Diego, CA. She initiates, implements and manages a $25 million annual department budget, develops strategies regarding various policies and procedures and manages department finances and accounting. A former member of the NBAA Schedulers and Dispatchers Committee, Widay began scheduling just one aircraft, and 11 years later, she manages the accounting and finance processes for every acquisition and sale. "I continue to learn every day and am eager to obtain CAM certification and share my knowledge with others," says Widay. "I love working at Qualcomm, and hope that the CAM certification will show the company the value of the vast knowledge I have acquired."
- Nathan C. Winkle – The director of aviation maintenance with Yum! Brands, Inc. in Louisville, KY, Winkle has worked for various equipment manufacturers, including Gulfstream Aerospace and Galaxy Aerospace. He holds a bachelor's degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and is active on the NBAA Maintenance Committee. Winkle said the CAM program provides a level of credibility to those who have earned the credential. His aims to "champion expanded use of technology to improve efficacy and efficiency."
The CAM credential provides a clear industry standard for preparation and achievement in aviation management. The CAM program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, and is the first program in the aviation industry to receive this recognition. The CAM exam is available throughout the year in a computer-based testing format. To be eligible for the exam, participants must be pre-qualified and approved through a formal application process. For more information about the CAM program, visit www.nbaa.org/cam.
The CAM scholarship provides financial assistance to candidates entering the program and to current CAMs during the recertification process. It is one of several scholarships offered by NBAA Charities to promote professional development and business aviation careers. For more information, visit www.nbaa.org/scholarships.
Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 10,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.
