Story ID: 
NATA Names Industry Excellence Award Recipients
By: Kerry Lynch
Caption: The association is presenting the awards to Diane Crews, Todd Shellnut, Ernest Felix, Betsy Santos-Torres, and Jessica Naor.
Word Count: 323
The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has announced the recipients of its 2019-2020 Industry Excellence Awards, recognizing five aviation executives for their leadership, customer service and professionalism, safety and training, and partnership efforts.

“Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, our members have served as leaders assisting both their customers and their communities,” said NATA president and CEO Timothy Obitts. “We are honored to highlight aviation professionals who promote a safety-first culture, provide superior service, and strive for industry excellence—no matter the circumstance.”

NATA is honoring Diane Crews, president and CEO for Orlando Sanford International Airport, with the Airport Executive Partnership Award in recognition of her “outstanding efforts to nurture the relationships between aviation businesses and airport operators.”

Todd Shellnut, CFI academy standardization manager for ATP Flight School, is the recipient of the Excellence in Pilot Training Award, which recognizes an individual or organization “that has made outstanding contributions in safety, professionalism, leadership, and excellence in the field of pilot training.”

Ernest Felix, a line service technician for Bohlke International Airways, was selected for the Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional Award. The honor recognizes the efforts of certified line service professionals “to raise awareness of the positive impact they have on safety, service, and business success.”

Meanwhile, Betsy Santos-Torres, a customer service supervisor for Bohlke International Airways, was named as the recipient of the FBO Customer Service Representative Award, which recognizes “the valuable impact FBO CSRs have on the success of our industry.”

The association further is honoring GrandView Aviation COO Jessica Naor with its Future Leader Award, which is presented to an individual “who has shown outstanding promise, passion, and professionalism within the general aviation community.”

“These peer-nominated awardees serve as role models, contributing daily to help the general aviation community thrive. They truly epitomize the industry’s highest standards in safety, service, and professionalism,” Obitts added.