Award Namesakes

Several of the Air Traffic Control Association's annual awards have been named after those in our industry who have truly made a difference to the progress of safety and improvement in the science of air traffic control and safety. Those awards are listed below, with a brief biography of each award's namesake:

SAFETY

The William A. Parenteau and George W. Kriske Annual Safety Award

The William A. Parenteau and George W. Kriske Annual Safety Award is presented to an individual for an outstanding achievement or contribution during the previous year, which has added to the safety, quality, and efficiency of air traffic control.

William A. Parenteau was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1915, but was raised on Long Island, NY where he graduated from Public School in 1932. After attending prep school and during his senior year at Dartmouth College he told his father he’d rather work than study. So, his father sent him to the oil fields in the Southwest where he was a roustabout and worked with a work crew that used dynamite when searching for oil. In 1941, he went to work for Eastern Airlines at LaGuardia Field in New York where he sold tickets and hauled baggage. It was while he worked at La Guardia that he became interested in air traffic control. In 1942 he joined the Civil Aeronautics Administration (CAA) as an air traffic controller after graduating from the Flushing Technical Institute ATC school located at the airport. He worked in the Hartford, Connecticut tower for several months and in 1943 became an assistant controller in the Richmond, Virginia tower. Bill was an articulate, charismatic man who was in his element when he had a microphone in his hand. He was noted for his fabulous on air delivery, leaving no doubt in the minds of pilots who received his transmissions as to who was in charge. Perhaps some of this came from his love of acting which manifested itself in his playing lead roles in many of the drama clubs and theaters throughout the New York area and his appearance in various television shows, among them “Studio One.” In 1944 LaGuardia Tower (LGA) was one of the few control towers still operated by the City of New York. Since LaGuardia controllers were not Federal employees, they were not permitted to handle any IFR operations, such as approach control. As a consequence, CAA volunteers were solicited to come to LaGuardia to control the IFR traffic and conduct a live evaluation of a computerized “ADF Approach Control System.” Bill was one of the controllers selected for this evaluation and he contributed to development of early IFR approach procedures which were subsequently implemented throughout the country. When the CAA took over operation of the LaGuardia Tower in 1945, Bill continued to work there and was promoted to Chief of the facility in 1948. He served there with distinction until 1960 when he was appointed FAA Chief of the Idlewild Tower, now Kennedy Tower. Things were in bad shape at Kennedy Airport, where excessive delays and operational inefficiencies occurred on a daily basis. Bill was highly respected and regarded by his work force, users of the ATC system, and the Regional Office and could quickly solve all kinds of procedural, technical, or management problems which he proceeded to do at Kennedy Airport where he got things under control in short order. Bill’s strengths were that he was always explicitly clear about what he expected of you, had a knack for choosing top notch supervisors to work for him, always stuck up for the people who worked for him, and no matter how difficult the job management could depend on him to get it done. He was a charter member of ATCA, worked hard, had a great sense of humor, and tremendous pride in the ATC profession. He was a great role model and a one of a kind individual. William Alfred Parenteau died in 1972 at the Franklin General Hospital, Valley Stream, New York. He was only 57 but before he died, he had a great impact on the ATC system and the people who worked for him or were associated with him.

George Kriske was born in 1911 in Rochester, NY. He served in the US Army from 1930-1937 and joined the Bureau of Air Commerce as a Junior Radio Operator assigned to the Airway Communications Station in Ardmore, Oklahoma and subsequently worked as a relief radio operator throughout the southwestern United States. In 1939 he became interested in Air Traffic Control, which was still in its infancy, and went to work in the Fort Worth Air Route Traffic Control Center. During World War II he served as Chief Controller at Fort Worth Center and in the Oklahoma and Tulsa Control Towers as a controller and instructor. He then put in a two year tour of duty as the Civil Aeronautics Administration Liaison Officer to Headquarters Strategic Air Command USAF in Omaha, Nebraska where he was assigned to the Staff of General Curt LeMay. While in this post he was detailed to the United Kingdom and Western Europe to survey the air ground and air traffic capabilities of the various countries operating North Atlantic Air Traffic Control Systems to determine if they could satisfactorily handle the world-wide deployment of Strategic Air Command Aircraft. In 1957 George was appointed Air Traffic Division Chief in the CAA Central Region in Kansas City, MO. In 1965 he moved to FAA Headquarters and was Chief of the Air Traffic Service Evaluation Staff until his retirement in 1967 with over 37 years of government service. He then served with distinction as President of the Air Traffic Control Association giving up the post in 1971 due to poor health. He earned his pilots wings in 1942 and held single and multi-engine and instrument ratings with over 2500 hours of flight time. He also held a commercial pilot certificate. George Kriske was a humble, kind man of great stature who devoted his life to the ATC profession. He had an outstanding career which added to the quality, safety and efficiency of air traffic control and in recognition of this and his dedicated service to the ATC profession the Association established the George W. Kriske Memorial Award in his honor following his death in 1974.

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL

The Clifford P. Burton Memorial Ambassador Award
This award is reserved for members who have not only contributed to the quality, safety, or efficiency of air traffic control but also have devoted much time and effort in furthering the goals and objectives of ATCA and the profession.

Clifford P. Burton became ATCA’s first Executive Director in 1956 after he helped found the organization. He planned to serve only until it achieved a “permanent footing” but stayed on for two and a half years, during which time the monthly ATCA Bulletin was started, the Journal of Air Traffic Control was launched, the 1st and 2nd Annual Meetings were conducted, and he began the long road of Congressional hearings relative to the FAA ACT of 1958 and, in later years, early retirement legislation for controllers. Cliff was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was the product of various schools including the Coast Artillery School at Fort Monroe, Virginia where he studied civil and electrical engineering. In 1929, he received his Air Corp wings from Kelly Field as a bombardier pilot, was commissioned and subsequently served six years on active duty. In 1935, following military duty he started his ATC career in the world’s first Airway traffic Control Center located at Newark, New Jersey. During World War II, Cliff was liaison officer between the British Directorate of Aircraft Safety and the US Eight Air Force. From 1946 to 1949, he served with distinction as Chief of the Civil Aeronautics Administration’s Technical Mission where he was responsible for the preparation and coordination of the US position on air navigation facilities and services to be presented to the International Civil Aviation Organization. He participated in 15 international meetings in various parts of the world and was designated by the Secretary of State to be Chairman of the US Delegation for seven of the meetings. For his outstanding efforts, Cliff was awarded the Department of Commerce Gold Medal Award for Distinguished Public Service. Following his tenures with the Technical Mission, he returned to CAA in 1950 and held several high level positions until he retired in 1954. Following his service to ATCA in 1958, he reentered government service with the FAA as chief of Airspace Utilization and Acting Director of FAA’s Air Traffic Service. After he fully retired in 1968 he lived in Virginia Beach, Virginia until his death in 1998.

The Earl F. Ward Memorial Team Award for Outstanding Achievement
This award is presented to a group for an outstanding achievement during the previous year, which has added to the quality, safety, or efficiency of air traffic control.

Earl F. Ward was a pioneer airmail and airline pilot who recognized the need for aircraft separation as air traffic increased. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1896. In his youth his main interest was baseball. After finishing high school, he worked as a telegraph lineman and then became a driver of racing cars. 

In 1917, Ward joined the United States Naval Air Service and became a Marine Pilot. He first climbed into an airplane on a Saturday, (there was no flying on Sunday). The following Monday he made his first solo flight after three hours and forty minutes of instruction. Ward was assigned to instructor duty and specialized in “stunt” flying. Toward the end of World War I, he shipped overseas as the Assistant Flight Commander of the only Marine Unit that deployed to Europe. 

In France, he collapsed from the stress and strain of stunt flying and instructing, six to eight hours a day, and was consequently hospitalized until shortly after the end of the war. After the war the Post Office organized the first airmail routes in 1918 and 1919. Ward was one of the first pilots recruited to fly the mail. In 1924, he became the first man ever to fly the mail at night. 

In 1927, he left Government Service and joined the newly organized National Air Transport Service, flying the mail between New York and Cleveland. Ward left N.A.T. in 1928 to become Operations Manager for Interstate Airlines, carrying the mail between Chicago, Atlanta, Evansville, Indiana and St. Louis. The Interstate Airlines merged with American Airways, which later became American Airlines, Inc.; and in 1929, he became Operations Manager of the larger organization. 

Ward was elected Vice-President of American Airlines in 1934. After becoming an American Airlines Management pilot based in Chicago he became concerned that the increase in instrument flight operations in those early days would result in a mid-air collision unless something was done. Military flights and planes flown for large corporations were also engaged in instrument flight operations. He came up with the idea of having American’s radio operators exchange traffic information between all AA flights in and out of Chicago using procedures developed by Glen Gilbert. While this did afford some small measure of safety for AA flights, Ward realized that there was a need for all carriers in the area to participate if the procedure was to be truly effective. He wasted no time in seeking and obtaining the cooperation of TWA, United and Eastern in an extension of this venture.

Glen Gilbert, for whom the prestigious “ATCA Glen Gilbert Award” is named, worked for Ward in Chicago. Earl Ward assigned Glen Gilbert responsibility for preparing detailed procedures suitable for use by the collective group of airlines at Chicago, and the inter-airline tests of these procedures at Chicago proved successful; but they still provided only for an exchange of traffic information. Resolution of any potential traffic conflicts was accomplished by voluntary actions by individual companies and pilots. It became evident to Ward that it was necessary to go a step beyond, that is, to implement mandatory procedures and rules requiring the adherence to altitudes and routes assigned by a central control group. Armed with innovative procedures developed by Gilbert, Ward prepared an interline agreement, the first such document ever, in which American, United, TWA and Eastern Airlines agreed to implement these procedures to prevent collisions. Using the newly developed separation procedures and with the blessing of the Federal Government, the airlines used their own personnel to set-up enroute air traffic control facilities at Newark, Chicago and Cleveland in 1935. 

In July 1936, the Bureau of Air Commerce took over the traffic control stations established by the airlines including the employment of most of the people working in these centers. Earl A. Ward was appointed the first Supervisor of Airways Traffic Control in the Bureau of Air Commerce.

The David J. Hurley Memorial Award for Aviation Traffic Management
This award is presented to an individual working in the field of Aviation Traffic Management for outstanding achievement or contribution in the area of ATC collaborative decision-making, balancing air traffic demand and capacity, or maximizing airspace and airport use, which has added to the quality, efficiency and/or safety of the Global Airspace Systems.

In Herndon, Virginia, the Air Traffic Control Systems Command Center stands as a legacy to the vision of David J. Hurley.  Early on Mr. Hurley recognized the importance of system and system leadership and worked tirelessly on the relocation of the Command Center from its location in FAA Headquarters to its current location in Herndon.  Mr. Hurley played the key role in redefining Traffic Management and positioning it to meet the challenges of the future.  This legacy is enjoyed and built upon daily. As Director of Air Traffic Management, David J. Hurley was recognized for his vision and leadership.  He received the Secretary’s Award for Meritorious Achievement in 1990.  In 1992, he received the Senior Executive Service Presidential Meritorious Rank Award.  Mr. Hurley returned to the region where his illustrious career began and became the Air Traffic Division Manager for the New England Region.  In April of 1997, Mr. Hurley passed away.  In summer of the same year, the Air Traffic Control System Command Center was rededicated as the David J. Hurley Air Traffic Control System Command Center.  On the left, as you enter the operations room of the command center there is a prominently displayed portrait of Mr. Hurley.  Along with the portrait, a sentiment, in bold letters, states “His vision… our reality.” of David J. Hurley. 

The Andy Pitas Memorial Aircraft Save Award
This award is presented to an individual or group who provided flight assistance in the previous year that resulted in the safe recovery of an emergency aircraft through the application of exceptional air traffic service.

Andy Pitas: Andrew Frank Pitas, “Andy” was a founding member and first President of the Air Traffic Control Association. Pitas along with some colleagues founded the Air Traffic Control Association in March, 1956. He served in the United States Navy in the Naval Air Traffic Control, where he rose to Chief Air Controlman. He served in World War II, 1939-1945.
He is hailed by ATCA as a legend as he was involved with all aspects of the association, especially the Scholarship Fund, which supports the financial needs of students who have chosen to seek higher education in the science of air traffic control and other aviation disciplines.

The General E. R. Quesada Memorial Award for Outstanding Civilian ATC Manager of the Year Award
This award is presented to an individual for an outstanding achievement or contribution during the previous year as an ATC Manager.

General E. R. Quesada: Elwood R. “Pete” Quesada became the first Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency on November 1, 1958. Quesada was born in Washington, DC in 1904, and attended Maryland and Georgetown universities. He joined the Army in 1924, received his pilot’s wings, and returned to civilian life before reentering active duty in 1927. Quesada was a member of a special Army Aviation unit, which, under the command of Major Carl Spaatz, broke world endurance marks in January 1929 by remaining in the air for more than 150 hours. During World War II, Quesada flew many combat missions and held a series of important commands, including the 12th Fighter Command, the 9th Fighter Command, and the 9th Tactical Air Command. Units under his leadership made important contributions to the successes of the Normandy invasion and other campaigns by achieving air superiority, flying interdiction missions, and providing close air support to ground troops. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with one cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After retiring from the Air Force in 1951 with the rank of Lieutenant General, Quesada held a variety of positions in private industry before returning to government as Special Assistant for aviation matters under President Eisenhower. He was later appointed Chairman of the Airways Modernization Board. Sixty days after Quesada’s appointment as the first FAA Administrator, FAA assumed the full scope of its responsibilities and Quesada served as Administrator for the remainder of the Eisenhower Administration, resigning effective January 20, 1961. The Quesada Memorial Award recognizes the extraordinary achievement of General Quesada as head of the FAA in bringing together the scattered aviation initiatives and staffing key posts in the new agency to cope with critically needed ATC modernization.

MILITARY

The Lingiam "Linn" Odems Memorial Award for Military Air Traffic Controller of the Year
This award is reserved for members who have not only contributed to the quality, safety, or efficiency of air traffic control but also have devoted much time and effort in furthering the goals and objectives of ATCA and the profession.

Lingiam "Linn" Odems was born on April 15, 1931, in Jackson, Mississippi and died on July 29, 2001, after many years of battling cancer. He received his early education in the schools of Jackson, Mississippi, culminating in his graduation from Lanier High School in June of 1948. In 1951, he started an exemplary military career in the United States Army where he attained the rank of Sergeant Major, the highest enlisted rank in the Army. During his twenty-three years of military service, Linn received numerous medals and commendations for valor and excellence. Among these were the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. Having served his country in two wars (Korea, Vietnam) and peacetime, Linn retired from active military service on April 30, 1974. He continued his career working as a civilian for the United States Aeronautical Services Office. In his capacity of Air Traffic Control Specialist, Linn served as the Army’s liaison to the Federal Aviation Administration until retiring from civilian service in the summer of 1996. Linn became an ATCA member in 1974 and during his 27-year membership was an aviation ambassador, actively promoting and encouraging the advancement of aviation and air traffic control of the kind and quality required by the civil and military aviation sector. While representing ATCA, he provided outstanding leadership as the Chairman of FAA’s highly regarded Air Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee. He also served with distinction on ATCA’s Awards Committee, Education Committee, Air Traffic Control Committee and Scholarship Committee. He was awarded the ATCA Clifford Burton Special Medallion Award in May 1996 for his contribution to the quality, safety, and efficiency of air traffic control and especially for his time and effort in furthering the goals and objectives of ATCA and the profession. In addition to his ATCA involvement, Linn was active in several community, civil, and professional organizations, including the National Aviation Training Center for Youth, the Tuskegee Airmen and the Board of Directors for Genesis Federal Credit Union. Linn was always cheerful and no matter what the task, he was ready to give it the maximum effort. He was always very well informed in whatever the subject was. He was tenacious in his duties and his loyalty to the joint civil/military air traffic system. He had a great sense of humor, loved people and always conducted himself like the true professional he was. The Lingiam Odems Medallion Award is named for Linn in recognition of his outstanding lifetime support of military and civilian air traffic control.

The General E. R. Quesada Memorial Award for Outstanding Military ATC Manager of the Year Award
This award is presented to an individual for an outstanding achievement or contribution during the previous year as an ATC Manager.

General E. R. Quesada: Elwood R. “Pete” Quesada became the first Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency on November 1, 1958. Quesada was born in Washington, DC in 1904, and attended Maryland and Georgetown universities. He joined the Army in 1924, received his pilot’s wings, and returned to civilian life before reentering active duty in 1927. Quesada was a member of a special Army Aviation unit, which, under the command of Major Carl Spaatz, broke world endurance marks in January 1929 by remaining in the air for more than 150 hours. During World War II, Quesada flew many combat missions and held a series of important commands, including the 12th Fighter Command, the 9th Fighter Command, and the 9th Tactical Air Command. Units under his leadership made important contributions to the successes of the Normandy invasion and other campaigns by achieving air superiority, flying interdiction missions, and providing close air support to ground troops. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with one cluster and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After retiring from the Air Force in 1951 with the rank of Lieutenant General, Quesada held a variety of positions in private industry before returning to government as Special Assistant for aviation matters under President Eisenhower. He was later appointed Chairman of the Airways Modernization Board. Sixty days after Quesada’s appointment as the first FAA Administrator, FAA assumed the full scope of its responsibilities and Quesada served as Administrator for the remainder of the Eisenhower Administration, resigning effective January 20, 1961. The Quesada Memorial Award recognizes the extraordinary achievement of General Quesada as head of the FAA in bringing together the scattered aviation initiatives and staffing key posts in the new agency to cope with critically needed ATC modernization.

INDUSTRY AND SMALL BUSINESS

The Charles E. Varnell Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement for Small Business
This award is presented to a small business concern for outstanding achievement or contribution, which has added to the quality, safety, or efficiency of air traffic control.

Charles E. Varnell died on August 2, 2000. Charlie became a member of ATCA in 1969 and over the years was a diligent worker and supporter of ATCA and its objectives. His integrity, loyalty and professionalism were his hallmark and his many accomplishments in support of the National Airspace System are legendary. As a member Charlie worked on numerous projects for ATCA. When work was needed in preparation of ATCA sponsored symposia or meetings Charlie could be found doing more than his share of behind the scene activities. He was always active in pre-convention activities and willingly supported physically and monetarily any activity which contributed to the well-being of ATCA and/or its members. Among his many contributions was his work to expand corporate member exhibits, creation of the ATCA Golf Outing, his support for the ATCA scholarship programs which was backed up with the first generous donation and it was Charlie who recommended that ATCA establish a small business award category. He was awarded an ATCA Honorary Membership in 1999 which was presented to him in Vienna, Austria during the ATCA conference held in that country. Charlie was born in Dallas, Texas on March 11, 1931, and served in the United States Air Force as a Radio/Radar Operator. After military service he worked for North American Aviation, The Whittaker Corporation and Litton Industries before opening his own consulting business in 1972 which he ran until poor health curtailed his activities. He was an inspiration to all who know him or worked with him, and the Charles E. Varnell Memorial Award is named for him in recognition of his outstanding support of ATCA and the aviation industry.