The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 2019 Wesley L. McDonald Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award: Jonathan Gaffney, General David Goldfein, Michael Heuer, Mary Miller, Jean Rosanvallon, and Don Skiados.
The Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award was established in 1954 by the Board of Directors of the NAA. The award honors “… outstanding Americans who, by their efforts over an extended period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics and have reflected credit upon America and themselves.”
Jonathan Gaffney for “… his 30 years of dedicated service, creating more efficient, effective, and functional organizations as a naval officer, congressional staff member, airport executive, and aviation association leader.”
General David Goldfein for “… selflessly serving his country and defending democracy for over 36 years as a consummate airman and highest uniformed member of the United States Air Force.”
Michael Heuer for “… his five decades of skilled and passionate leadership in air sports and aerobatics as a founding member and President of the International Aerobatic Club.”
Mary Miller for “… dedicating herself to delivering world-class customer and support services to the business and private aviation community for nearly 40 years.”
Jean Rosanvallon for “… his 45 years of effective leadership and unrivaled record of success at Dassault Aviation, overseeing numerous new products and expansion into emerging markets.”
Don Skiados for “… serving the aviation industry for over 50 years as Executive Director and Director of Communications for the Air Line Pilots Association and as a resource to line pilots, union leaders, boards of directors, universities, and aviation charities.”
“The 2019 Distinguished Statesmen honorees genuinely represent the full breadth of aviation and aerospace,” said NAA President Greg Principato. “Each has contributed much in his or her career. More importantly, each has done a great deal to make others better. The work of a statesman, it’s been said, is to represent the future to the present. All of these honorees exemplify that standard.”
