Each year during its Annual Airports Conference, the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions to aviation by presenting "Awards of Excellence" in five categories. This year the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission presented their "Career Contributions to Aviation" award to Dave Fulton (Texas), a native Tennessean, stating that he has set a career example for others through leadership, dedication, persistence and overall commitment to excellence during 10 years of active duty in Naval Aviation continuing Naval Reserve duty until retirement. He served in the Tennessee Aeronautics Division for 17 years, ten of them as director, before going to Texas to be the Director of the Aviation Division for 18 years. He has been instrumental in the development and maintenance of literally hundreds of airports in two states! Brief courtesy of NASAO.

Karon Wiedemann is retiring from the Texas Department of Transportation Aviation Division following 38 years of service. Her last day is August 31. Karon received the 2009 NASAO State Aviation Distinguished Service Award in Tucson, Arizona for her exemplary work and dedication to the progress of aviation in her state. (Wiedemenn is pictured with NASAO Chair Vic Bird, left and Dave Fulton.)
Wiedemann’s career in aviation started at an early age while working as the receptionist for the Texas Aeronautics Commission while attending the University of Texas. After two years, Wiedemann moved to the accounting staff where she eventually became chief financial officer for the agency in 1980.
"In 1991, our agency and the State Department of Highways were merged together to create the Texas Department of Transportation,” said Wiedemann in an interview last winter with the State Aviation Journal. "I then became the Director of Grant Management for the Aviation Division of TxDOT."

Phoenix, AZ – August 26, 2010 -- Conklin & de Decker will host the 11th Annual Aircraft Acquisition and Planning Seminar in Scottsdale, Arizona on November 30 – December 1, 2010 at the Scottsdale Cottonwoods Resort.

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today marked the completion of $14.5 million in runway projects funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) that will ensure continued safety for flights at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

VERO BEACH, Fla., Aug. 24, 2010 — Piper Aircraft, Inc., has named successful aircraft sales executive Drew McEwen as Director of Sales, Americas. McEwen joins Piper after a 28-year career at Hawker Beechcraft Corp. and leads Piper’s Regional Office in Vero Beach, working with dealers and agents throughout the Americas.

“Drew’s mission is to maximize long-term Piper sales and help dealers and the dealer network achieve success,” said Piper Executive Vice President Randy Groom. “He will work to ensure that Piper has strong representation throughout the Americas and will recruit dealers and agents in strategic areas.”