The William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award is named in honor and memory of the association’s Co-Founder and first President and is given for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry.
Running one of the largest FBO organizations in the country and surrounded by airplanes every day, Roger Woolsey will tell you that he’s not in the aviation business.
“We’re in the first impressions business at Million Air,” he explained. “It’s like my wife says, when you go to a great restaurant, you first taste your food with your eyes. When you visit a city to go downtown or close a deal or visit a hospital, we are the first point of contact. We are the first impression, and how we treat you will go a long way in what you think of the city.”
But make no mistake. Woolsey has made more than an impression; he’s etched an indelible mark on the aviation world and has set a high standard that is both difficult to emulate and fitting to follow.
For his profound contributions, Woolsey has been named as the 2025 recipient of the prestigious William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award. NATA’s most prestigious honor, it was established in 1984 in recognition of the association’s co-founder, and is presented annually to individuals who, through a lifetime of achievement, have advanced the general aviation industry and exemplified Ong’s enduring commitment to service, safety, and advocacy.
2025 – Roger Woolsey, CEO, Million Air
2024 – Louis Pepper, CEO, Atlantic Aviation 2023 – S. Michael Scheeringa, Managing Director, SAR Trilogy Management 2021/2022 – Craig R. Sincock, Owner, President, and CEO of Avfuel 2018 – Martin (Marty) H. Hiller, former NATA President (current owner of FBOs Marathon Jet Center and Marathon General Aviation, CEO of Hiller Carbon, and a principal in North Shore Holdings, LLC) 2017 – Larry R. Flynn, former President, Gulfstream Aerospace 2016 – Edward M. Kilkeary, Sr., founder and CEO, L.J. Aviation 2015 – James C. Christiansen 2014 – John Pistole, former Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator 2013 – The Honorable Sam Graves (R-MO), U.S. House of Representatives 2012 – Bruce Whitman, FlightSafety International 2011 – Kenneth C. Ricci, Flight Options 2010 – Pat Epps, Epps Aviation 2009 – Gary Driggers, Midcoast Aviation 2008 – Richard Van Gemert, Sr. VP, Jet Aviation 2007 – Ray Fitzgerald, Vice Chairman and Director, Landmark Aviation 2006 – Robert and Kim Showalter, Owners, Showalter Flying Service 2005 – Charles E. Priester, Priester Aviation, LLC 2004 – Russell W. Meyer, Jr., Chairman Emeritus, Cessna Aircraft Company 2003 – Al Ueltschi, founder, FlightSafety International 2002 – Gwen Mayo, founder, Mayo Aviation 2001 – Herb & Arlene Elliott, Elliott Aviation 2000 – William B. Watt 1999 – Clay Lacy, founder, Clay Lacy Aviation 1998 – Julian Jordan “J.J.” Frey, former Vice President of the Seaplane Operation for the EDO Corporation 1997 – Paul E. Sanderson, Vice Chairman, Jeppesen Sanderson 1996 – William R. Cutter, Chairman, Cutter Aviation 1995 – Howard V. Gregory, founder of Des Moines Flying Service 1994 – John T. Tucker, vice chairman, Midcoast Aviation 1993 – Kenneth A. Rowe, former President, National Association of State Aviation Officials 1992 – Thomas H. Davis, founder & former Chairman, Piedmont Aviation, Inc. 1991 – Leighton Collins, founder & Publisher, Air Facts 1990 – Thomas Dickson, Jr., former Vice President, Airwork Service Division 1989 – Robert S. Northington, Sr., former Sr. Vice President, Piedmont Aviation 1988 – G.B. Van Dusen, founder, Van Dusen Aircraft Supplies 1987 – George J. Priester, founder, Priester Aviation 1986 – Harry B. Combs, founder, Combs Aircraft 1985 – George E. Haddaway, former Editor and Publisher, Flight Magazine 1984 – Paul E. Garber, Director Emeritus, National Air & Space Museum