Story ID: 
NBAA’s PDP celebrates 10th year   
By: James Wynbrandt
Caption: USAIG and NBAA are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their professional development scholarship partnership.
Word Count: 290
USAIG and NBAA are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their professional development scholarship partnership. The scholarship awards $1,000 to an applicant enrolled full-time in a university offering the NBAA Professional Development Program (PDP). 
“When PDP began back in 1998, USAIG stepped up to help get the word out and promote professionalism within the business aviation industry from the very beginning,” said Jay Evans, NBAA director of operations, noting the PDP’s success.“Within the program, we have had more than 5,000 course completions while awarding more than $10,000 in scholarships donated by USAIG to support the program.”
Past winners include two graduates of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Greg Gilger (PDP winner 2004) and Andrew Cousins (PDP winner 2008). Gilger is flying for SkyWest Airlines and Cousins is beginning his aviation career at Embry-Riddle Prescott as a flight instructor. Jeremy Jankowski (PDP winner 1999 and Purdue University graduate) is a first officer at NetJets Aviation.
“The NBAA/USAIG PDP Scholarship is one of the catalysts that helped lead me to be a part of the aviation world that I might not have found on my own, and that I am eternally grateful to be part of,” said Jankowski.
New York-based aviation insurance company USAIG says it remains committed to its PDP partnership. “USAIG has a long history of supporting programs that promote education and training for future leaders in the aviation industry,” said Michael Sweeney, USAIG’s chairman and CEO. 
“We hope that our contribution to the PDP Scholarship will encourage more young men and women to seek a career in the business aviation industry,” he continued.“We are proud to be associated with the NBAA and the universities offering this program to their aviation oriented students.”