The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) will honor business aviation leader, former industry executive and steadfast industry advocate Roger Whyte with the association’s prestigious John P. “Jack” Doswell Award at the 2026 NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) coming to Las Vegas, Oct. 20-22.
Whyte has played pivotal roles in the development of the modern business aviation industry and its expansion across Europe, Africa and the Asia-Pacific, holding executive positions at Cessna Aircraft Company (now part of Textron Aviation) and Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation. He has also served on the NBAA Board of Directors, including as chairman of the NBAA Advisory Council, and chair of the board’s Nominating Committee.
“Roger Whyte reflects the very best of business aviation, including vision, integrity, service and a deep commitment to advancing the global industry,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Across decades of leadership, Roger has helped expand the reach of business aviation around the world, while also giving generously of his time and expertise to strengthen the organizations that support it.”
Whyte began his aviation career as general manager of European FBO – OEFAG Aviation Services – in 1974. He joined Cessna in 1982 as its Citation regional sales manager for German-speaking Europe. Whyte was then appointed director of Europe, Middle East and Africa, and later became director of international Citation sales.
Upon his retirement from Cessna in 2010, Whyte held the position of senior vice president of sales and marketing, with responsibility for all aircraft product lines. He later represented Gulfstream aircraft sales in Austria for six years.
Whyte is also a founding member of the Air Charter Safety Foundation (ACSF), which promotes the highest aviation safety standards across the business, charter and fractional ownership industries. He also served for three years as chairman of the board of directors for Prague-based Central Europe Private Aviation Association (CEPA).
He also helped expand business aviation across China and the Asia-Pacific, including through the development of the Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE), which focused on advocacy for greater access for business aviation across the region.
Whyte has also served on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and on the Board of Governors for the National Aviation Hall of Fame. He is a member of the board of directors of business aircraft management company Avcon Jet, and he retired last December after 15 years on the board of Duncan Aviation. Whyte continues to advise that company and several other organizations on matters affecting the global business aviation industry.
“Roger has been a trusted voice, a thoughtful leader and a passionate advocate for business aviation,” Bolen concluded. “We are pleased to honor his decades-long commitment, service and legacy with the Doswell Award.”
Named for the former director of flight operations for FlightSafety International and chair of NBAA’s Airspace/Air Traffic Committee, the John P. “Jack” Doswell Award honors lifelong individual achievement on behalf and in support of the aims, goals and objectives of business aviation. Learn more about NBAA’s Doswell Award.
Taking place Oct. 20-22, NBAA-BACE is the world’s most powerful business aviation event of the year, showcasing the industry’s latest innovations and services, and hosting the leaders who are shaping its future. Learn more about NBAA-BACE.
