Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award
The Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award is dedicated to the memory of one of the recognized “Fathers of Air Traffic Control” and honors the lifelong achievements of an individual in the field of aviation. Glen Gilbert was a visionary who, along with Earl Ward, founded the U.S. air traffic system and dedicated his professional career to its improvement. The design of the trophy includes the Roman God Jupiter, the deity of weather, sky, and light, and a depiction of the earth and its atmosphere.
The award trophy is inscribed with recipient names and was donated by ATCA Corporate Member, Raytheon Company. The Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award is on permanent display in the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C. The trophy underwent a complete restoration in 2005 thanks to a generous donation by the Raytheon Company.
The Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award represents ATCA’s most prestigious honor. The Award is given during the Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award Banquet held during the ATCA Connect.
GLEN A. GILBERT MEMORIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS
2024 Nicholas E. Calio, President & CEO, Airlines for America
| 2023 2022 | Teri Bristol, Founder, Bristol Consulting, LLC Massimo Garbini, Chief Executive Officer at ENAV; ATM Executive Board Member at Frequentis |
| 2019 | Daniel K. Elwell, FAA Deputy Administrator |
| 2018 | Linda Hall Daschle, Acting FAA Administrator; President, LHD & Associates, Inc. |
| 2017 | Richard H. Anderson, Northwest Airlines, Inc and Delta Air Lines, Inc. |
| 2016 | Paul Rinaldi, President, NATCA |
| 2015 | Sid Koslow, Vice President, and Chief Technology Officer, NAV CANADA |
| 2014 | Monte Belger, Acting FAA Deputy Administrator; President, Metron Aviation |
| 2013 | Patrick Ky, Executive Director, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) |
| 2012 | Peter Challan, Vice President of Industry Relations, Harris Corporation |
| 2011 | Jane Garvey, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration; Chairman, Meridiam |
| 2010 | Neil R. Planzer, Vice President, The Boeing Company |
| 2009 | Allan McArtor, Chairman, Airbus Americas, Inc. |
| 2008 | John Crichton, President, CEO, NAV CANADA |
| 2007 | Gerald L. Thompson, Chairman, Jerry Thompson and Associates |
| 2006 | Garland “Cas” Castleberry, FAA Associate Administrator, President of ATCA |
| 2005 | James L. Oberstar, Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives |
| 2004 | Wolfgang Philipp, Senior Director, EUROCONTROL |
| 2003 | Andy Pitas, Founder of ATCA, Professional Air Traffic Controller |
| 2002 | Frank Frisbie, Northrup Grumman, FAA Deputy Associate Administrator |
| 2001 | William Pollard, CEO, Air Services Australia, Professional Air Traffic Controller |
| 2000 | Gabriel A. Hartl, Colonel USAF Retired, President of ATCA |
| 1999 | Langhorne Bond, FAA Administrator |
| 1998 | Stanley Seltzer, V.P., American Airlines, Professional Air Traffic Controller |
| 1997 | Yves Lambert, Director General of EUROCONTROL |
| 1996 | Norman Mineta, Secretary of Transportation, U.S. Congressman |
| 1995 | Captain Elrey B. Jeppesen, Airline Captain, Founder, Jeppesen & Co. |
| 1994 | Tirey Vickers, Editor of ATCA Journal, Professional Air Traffic Controller |
| 1993 | Joseph Del Balzo, Deputy FAA Administrator, Electrical Engineer |
| 1991 | John Winant, President, National Business Aircraft Association |
| 1990 | A. Scott Crossfield, Aircraft Test Pilot |
| 1989 | J. Lynn Helms, FAA Administrator, President, Piper Aircraft Co. |
| 1988 | Najeeb Halaby, FAA Administrator, President, Pan Am Airways |
| 1986 | David Thomas, Deputy FAA Administrator, Professional Air Traffic Controller |