The 47th Annual Virginia Aviation Conference was held at The Main in Norfolk, August 17-20, 2021. The conference provided an opportunity for DOAV staff, Airport Managers and Sponsors, and Virginia Aviation Board Members to discuss important issues dealing with Virginia’s airports and the air transportation system.
National Aviation Day 2021 was August 19 and the Virginia Aviation Awards Banquet was held that night to recognize Robert S. Bowen and Perry J. Miller. DOAV Director Mark Flynn presented the plaques to both recipients.
President and CEO of Richmond International Airport Perry J. Miller was awarded the Airport Manager of the Year. Miller joined the Capital Region Airport Commission in 2019, and in those two years, he has overseen the completion of nearly $56 million in capital construction projects; added eight new air service routes; created a Human Capital Management department; earned the Global Biorisk Advisory Council’s STAR Facility Accreditation in the battle to prevent infectious diseases; and set a record for cargo handled (more than 180 million pounds).
Executive Director of the Norfolk Airport Authority Robert Bowen was presented the Lifetime Achievement award. Bowen’s 45-year aviation career began in 1977 with Piedmont Aviation. Ten years later, he left Piedmont to become director of operations at Norfolk Airport, and a series of promotions led him to his current role in 2016. Since then, the Airport Authority has initiated 120 capital improvement projects valued at $170 million. He partnered with the Chrysler Museum to bring art into the airport. His efforts in air service development attracted Allegiant, Frontier and Breeze to the Norfolk Airport. Robert has been an Accredited Airport Executive for 26 years and past president of the VAOC.
