The North Carolina Airports Association (NCAA) is calling for nominations for the first annual Willard G. Plentl, Jr. Airport Professional of the Year award. The award, which was established in the memory of Willard G. Plentl, Jr., will annually recognize an airport professional who positively impacts the aviation industry in North Carolina. The inaugural award will be presented at the NCAA’s annual conference in Wilmington, N.C. in April 2020.
Plentl contributed more than fifty years of professional service to the business of aviation in North Carolina. He served as an innovative, collaborative and dedicated leader for the industry throughout North Carolina. As the director of aviation for the state of North Carolina, he was a founding member of the North Carolina Airport Managers Association, the predecessor to the NCAA. As a mentor to airport professionals for decades, he was a passionate ambassador for all aspects of aviation, increasing the awareness of the importance of aviation and its impacts to our state.
“I am very proud that we have established this prestigious award to honor the outstanding professionals in our industry” said Andrew Shorter, C.M., Airport Director of Coastal Carolina Airport in New Bern, N.C. and President of the NCAA. “The NCAA board focuses diligently on strengthening North Carolina airports and promoting the positive impacts they make in their communities and across the state. Will Plentl lived this mission, and mentored many others to do the same. It is fitting that this award bears his name and honors his lifetime of contributions.”
Nominees must be airport professionals in North Carolina, and NCAA members. They must exhibit leadership, commitment to aviation, and community involvement that expands the awareness of the importance of aviation. Nominations may be made directly to the NCAA, with information available at NCAA.
Deadline for submissions is December 15, 2019.
