News
HAI’s Zuccaro receives top aviation award
November 18, 2013 By Carey Fredericks
Nov. 18, 2013, Washington, D.C. - On Tuesday, Nov. 12, HAI President Matt Zuccaro received a Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award - one of five presented by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA).
The NAA has presented the awards annually since 1954 to "honor outstanding Americans who, by their efforts over a period of years, have made contributions of significant value to aeronautics and have reflected credit upon America and themselves."
In its recognition, NAA noted that under Zuccaro's leadership, HAI has become one of the fastest-growing and influential aerospace organizations in the world, as well as the leading advocate for the rotorcraft industry.
In his acceptance remarks, Zuccaro noted that while he may be the public face of HAI, what has made the association so successful is the work done by HAI staff members on behalf of the association's members.
Also receiving Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Awards for 2013 were: Janice K. Barden, founder of Aviation Personnel International; Ralph Crosby, former Chairman and CEO of EADS North America; Naval aviator and retired Pratt & Whitney executive Hugh Risseeuw; and Bruce Whitman, president and CEO of Flight Safety International.
In addition to the Distinguished Statesmen of Aviation awards, the National Aeronautic Association each year awards the two most prestigious aviation awards in the United States – the Collier Trophy and the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. It is the U.S. representative to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), keeper of the world's aviation records.
