On March 11, the Aeronautical Repair Station Association (ARSA) recognized Thomas Mickler as the 2021 recipient of the Leo Weston Award for Excellence in Service to Aviation Safety.
The award was established in 2005 and first given to Weston himself. As an FAA official, he advocated for the creation of an organization to represent the interests of maintenance providers and was pivotal in ARSA’s founding. He was a lifelong aviator and educator whose passion was kindled at a Philadelphia high school and continued through military, civil, government and volunteer service that ceased only with his passing in November 2020.
“[Leo’s] dedication was matched with exceptional insight,” ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod pronounced, remembering his unfailing support of the association’s creation. “He was as willing to learn as he was to educate; he embodied the ‘critical thinking’ sought but so rarely found in government or industry.”
The presentation of the 2021 Weston Award took place during ARSA’s Annual Conference. Managing Director and General Counsel Marshall S. Filler paused the day’s global regulatory discussion to remember Weston and recognize Mickler, who has worked closely with ARSA and its international aviation allies since taking office as Washington, D.C. representative of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in August 2014.
“This award recognizes [Thomas] for his contributions, for his accessibility, his willingness to share information, his candor and his friendship,” Filler said in delivering the award, describing Mickler’s role as an intermediary between EASA and the FAA as one of “the most challenging in aviation safety.”
Accepting the award, Mickler expressed gratitude at knowing his service was helpful to the industry. That helpfulness is Weston’s legacy and has defined Mickler’s decades long career, which will continue beyond his soon-to-be-complete stint in Washington.
