Ground Support Worldwide recognizes the high-caliber individuals and forward-thinking companies making a difference in the ground support industry with its annual Leaders of the Year awards program.

Candidates are vetted on innovation, outstanding attributes and commitment and involvement in the industry.

2024 Winners

With more than 25 years of experience, Brian Biedron has been a valuable asset to his team and has made significant contributions to GSE industry.
United Airlines' facilities and GSE engineering program manager has gone above and beyond for decades to advance the equipment that supports aviation.
Jacob Gonzales (left), northeast regional manager at AES, congratulates Ryan Hall on winning the Team Leader of the Year.
With experience in multiple areas of ground support, the senior manager of national operations at AES is an emphatic leader that empowers his colleagues.
TLD
Employees at TLD's Windsor, Connecticut, location celebrated being named Product Leader of the Year.
By using the POWER-409 and START-180 in tandem, TLD provides flexibility for ground power and air start needs without producing emissions on the ramp.
Abdul Charafeddin, executive vice president – Americas, at UAS, accepted the Service Leader of the Year award on behalf of the company.
With a focus on individualized service, company officials ensure ground handling requirements are best suited for each customer.

2023 Winners

Ethan Begrowicz is operations manager at Avflight Lansing and leads a team of 14 people while overseeing compliance and training and ensuring top-notch line staff performance.
Eager to learn, the operations manager at Avflight Lansing leads while working side-by-side with his colleagues.
ITW GSE
ITW GSE launched its 3500 PCA in November 2022.
With features including automatic airflow detection and options like Intelligent Power Management, the company’s 3500 PCA offers users many benefits.
Goldair Handling
Michalis Panagoulias (center) began as a delivery boy at Goldair Handling before earning several promotions, including his current position as corporate health and safety manager.
Working his way up from the ramp with an eye on procedure, the corporate health and safety manager at Goldair Handling has become a ground handling guru.
Unifi's corporate leadership team includes (from left) Brian Bartal - SVP, safety and compliance, Archana Arcot - chief people officer, Sandeep Angra - chief technology officer, Henk Teunis - chief financial officer, Eddie Russell - CEO, ERMC Aviation, Gautam Thakkar - CEO, Brian Stillwagon - general counsel, Don Ridgeway - chief customer officer, Greg Kennedy - chief operating officer, and Ying McPherson - chief commercial officer.
Leveraging technology, the ground handling firm has transformed from a wholly owned subsidiary to the largest independent provider of aviation services in the United States.

2022 Winners

2022 Team Leader of the Year Kenny Gibson (center) works closely with line service technicians, including Alex Casanova (left), and on-the-job trainers like Peter Perez. (right).
With a focus on policy and documentation, Gibson has enhanced Banyan Air Service’s safety practices and has led the FBO to Stage 2 IS-BAH Registration.
Rudy Yates founded Ground Support Specialist with his brother Fred in 1995.
The founder of Ground Support Specialist has dedicated himself to problem-solving and collaborating with others to improve the GSE industry.
From left, Jason Johnson, VP of business development; Brandon Haubenschild, production manager; Amy Hinzmann, CFO/COO; and Craig Kruckeberg, CEO/CVO, accepted Stinar’s Product Leader of the Year recognition.
The company’s modular chassis and wagon offer versatility to ground service providers looking to utilize smaller equipment.

2021 Winners

Photo courtesy of Premier Jet Center
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With a flexible management style, Bourbeau has helped his team expand successfully to support a growing FBO.
Photo courtesy of Gammon Technical Products
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With a passion for education, Gammon has worked for decades to ensure aviation fueling safety.
Photo courtesy of PrimeFlight Aviation Services
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Designed to instill confidence in travelers, the PrimeFlightUV disinfection units utilize UV-C technology to inactivate viruses.

2020 Winners

Photo courtesy of TAS
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As senior vice president of operations at Total Airport Services, a focus on communication, collaboration and effective planning is paramount to success.
Photo courtesy of ITW GSE
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The battery-powered 7400 eGPU can reduce emissions, eliminate noise on the ramp and cut maintenance cost for operators.
Photo courtesy of SWA
Don Redwine (left) presents the Lifetime Achievement award to Larry Laney.
The director of ground support at Southwest Airlines has been instrumental in developing the GSE department and advancing technology to keep pace with the airline’s growth.

2019 Winners

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The director of GSE maintenance at Airport Terminal Services shares his knowledge and honesty to help his team work together.
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The industry veteran has had a remarkable impact on the GSE market and is preparing to pass the torch to the next generation of ground support leaders.
Chief engineer Kersten Eckert (left), and sales and marketing director Thilo Wiers-Keiser are both co-owners of Mototok.
With a simplistic, remote-controlled interface, this electric vehicle enables more ground personnel to perform pushbacks and increases turnaround efficiency.

2018 Winners

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The M4000 self-serve fueling terminal provides improved connectivity and security for customers in addition to better transparency and real-time data for owners.
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Using a consistent and fair management style, Carazo and his ground crew have achieved zero delays while working at one of the country’s busiest airports.
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Once poised to be an aircraft mechanic, Boily has had a decorated career with both Pan-American Airways and Fortbrand Services.

2017 Winners

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After unexpectedly being thrust into the role of chairperson, Raines has built GAT Airline Ground Support into a respected ground handling company with stations located across...
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By upgrading major components while utilizing its existing chassis, LEKTRO was able to increase its electric towbarless tug’s capacity to 280,000 pounds, providing the ability...
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With the mind of a mechanic and the abilities of a manager, Wright is uniquely qualified to oversee maintenance operations for Alliance Ground International and Cargo Force.

2016 Winners

Alex Wendland
2016 Ground Support Worldwide GSW Lifetime Achievement Award Dick Cloud United Airlines 2
For more than 50 years of service in the ground support industry and decades of leadership at United Airlines, we’re honored to present Dick Cloud with the 2016 Ground Support...
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Jonathan Bluth came into Atlantic Aviation as a line service technician nearly 13 years ago. Since 2003, he has built a career and his reputation on more than a decade of leadership...
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It Runs in the FamilyIn just two years of operation, Xced Aviation Services has grown from a GSE finance lessor into a full “transportation asset management” services provider...

2015 Winners

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Jerry Eberle’s definition of retirement may differ somewhat from Webster’s. “Retirement for me means reducing my work load while feeling confident that PAGE is in good hands,”...
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Sheehan started AERO Specialties in 1987 from his attic with just $1,000 and a passion for aircraft.
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Versatility is just one of the key benefits of our magazine's product of the year that is designed to do the job of many other types of containers and pallets.

2014 Winners

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Dedicated To GSE - 1943-2013
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Kevin Ward, director of marketing and sales for Rampmaster, accepts the company's Ground Support Leader award at last month's AviationPros LIVE trade show in Las Vegas.
Independent research confirms that a refueler truck outfitted with the EMS consumes up to 78 percent less in diesel fuel while delivering jet fuel.
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With responsibility for almost 2 billion gallons of jet fuel flowing through Southwest Airlines’ network, Tom McCartin’s leadership shows through in the high standards kept by...

2013 Winners

Rob Lamb, vice president of sales and marketing for Charlatte of America introduced his long-time colleague, Bill Biermann, our Lifetime Achievement Award winner.
Magazine recognizes product leader, team leader and lifetime achievement
'If it doesn't have wings, and if it's not connected to the building,' Travis tells us, 'then it's basically our responsibility to take care of it.' That means overseeing about 8,000 pieces of GSE in 200 cities supported by 12 shops of mechanics from his offices in Fort Worth, TX.
American Eagle Airlines' Travis Blair keeps 8,000 pieces of GSE running to service the company’s own regional flights and build a ground handling business to take care of other...
ThesoftCapture allows one operator to capture and move aircraft without straps, without touching the oleo strut or any part of the nose landing gear and without leaving the driver's seat.
The JETPorter SoftCapture moves aircraft without straps, without touching the oleo strut and without the operator leaving the driver’s seat.

2012 Winners

Chief Warrant Officer Greg McDermott stands in front of a new fleet of SATS, a standardized tow tractor developed originally for the United States Army.
United States Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Greg McDermott has spent the past 12 years in charge of GSE purchasing and training for the USCG’s only Aviation Logistics Center...
Photo provided by Flightcom.
Flightcom's wireless headsets offer ramp workers exactly what they need: hands-free mobility; clear team communication; and excellent hearing protection.
The company’s headsets offer hands-free mobility and clear communication to ground support crews.
Our winners for Lifetime Achievement; Team Leader; and Product/Service Leader.

2011 Winners

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The 2011 Ground Support Leaders of the Year awards acknowledged five individuals for their contributions to the industry.

2010 Winners

Neil Bennett, President, eTug LLC
The 2010 Ground Support Leaders of the Year awards ceremony at Aviation Industry Expo recognized six recipients for contributions to the industry.

2009 Winners

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The 2009 Ground Support Leaders of the Year awards ceremony recognized six recipients for contributions to the industry.

2008 Winners

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The 2008 Aviation Industry Expo will feature an awards reception and educational seminars.