Awards

Congratulations to our 2024 ATCA Awards Winners:

ATCA Chair Award - Cindy Troutman

Jackson honored Troutman’s life and extraordinary career by presenting the ATCA Chair Award posthumously in her memory. Troutman passed away on Aug. 27. She was 71. Troutman was a pioneering force in the aviation industry, founding CGH Technologies, Inc., a Washington, D.C.-based national woman-owned information engineering and management support company, in 1989. Under her leadership, the company grew from a small startup to a respected leader in the field, known for its innovation, quality, and commitment to excellence.                  

Sunhillo Corporation Jackson also presented a second ATCA Chair Award to this member organization. Headquartered near Philadelphia International Airport, with satellite offices at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, N.J., Sunhillo specializes in surveillance data distribution and interoperability for network-centric sensors and air traffic management solutions.

ATCA President’s Award - Amy Parish, Vice President, North America Programs, UFA, Inc.

Parish, who was a panelist at the inaugural ATCA #empowerHER leadership conference last spring, has created her unique path to success at UFA, Inc., from entry level ATC specialist to project manager, program manager, director, and now vice president.

Fagan praised Parish’s dedication to the advancement of air traffic control training and recruitment of the workforce of the future. Parish participated in a powerful discussion about the future of aviation at #ATCAConnect, sharing insights on preparing the next generation of aviation professionals with innovative approaches and technology.

ATCA Award for Exceptional Service – The air traffic control staff at Kissimmee (Fla.) Gateway Airport

The staff showed unwavering commitment to safety and service. They reduced runway incursions by over 75% and eliminated vehicle incursions. Following Hurricane Ian, the staff navigated challenges including limited access to tower facilities and ongoing repairs. During Hurricane Idalia, the staff maintained operations and played a crucial role in supporting relief efforts in the Cedar Key area.

Additionally, the Taxiway E extension project required periodic runway and taxiway closures, increasing operational complexity. Their effective management of this project led to its nomination for the 2023 SEC-AAAE Project of the Year.

The David J. Hurley Memorial Award for Aviation Traffic Management – Asset Akhmetbayev, Air Traffic Controller, Aktobe Control Center (ACC), West Kazakhstan Regional Air Traffic Service Center

At this facility, an initiative is transforming air traffic management. The project introduces temporary sectorization, a strategic change designed to enhance efficiency and safety in the region's airspace. Akhmetbayev champions this initiative.

A thorough analysis revealed that this new approach could significantly improve operational efficiency. By streamlining processes, the ACC aims to free up valuable human resources, allowing controllers to focus on critical tasks that require their expertise. This is especially important as air traffic continues to grow and airspace becomes more complex.

The temporary sectorization will also foster better coordination among services, ensuring smoother operations during peak traffic times. Enhanced collaboration is key to managing high volumes of air traffic safely and effectively.

The Andy Pitas Aircraft Save Award:

Civilian: Rosilla Owen, Scott Elms, Boston Air Route Traffic Control Center

Diagnosing and solving emergencies is challenging when pilots communicate issues clearly. But what happens when a pilot is unaware of their predicament? Owen and Elms handed off a Cessna 310 flying at 13,500 feet for an aerial photography mission. Owen immediately sensed something was off with the pilot’s unusually slow responses. After confirming he was okay, she remained concerned.

Owen considered possible distractions or even hypoxia, a lack of oxygen, and worried about serious medical conditions. To be cautious, she instructed the pilot to descend to 9,000 feet, where oxygen is not required. As the aircraft descended, the pilot's responses became clearer.

Eventually, the pilot revealed that a kink in his oxygen line had been reducing his oxygen flow. “Thanks for looking out for me,” he said. Another pilot on frequency acknowledged their vigilance: “Good catch out there. I appreciate you guys.”

Military: Sgt. Samuel McLean, U.S. Air Force (Shaw Air Force Base, S.C.)                  

In September 2023, Sgt. McLean received a call from an 18-year-old general aviation pilot in distress. The pilot stated that he had a major fuel leak, navigational issues, equipment failure and was unsure of how to return to Sumter Municipal Airport in Central South Carolina. The pilot stated that he was approximately 600 feet above ground level, descending, and searching for a grass field to put the aircraft down in. At the same time, Sgt. McLean had an F-16 established on final approach to Shaw Air Force Base. Based on the proximity where the young pilot thought he was and the F16, McLean climbed the F16 to ensure separation. His actions, and quick thinking prevented a potential mishap, as the F-16 would have descended through the aircraft’s last reported altitude.

Sgt. McLean asked the emergency aircraft about direction of flight and what the aircraft could visually observe. This enabled him to locate the aircraft and provided navigational instructions via visual landmarks until the aviator was able to get Sumter Municipal in sight. The aircraft landed safely. His quick actions saved the lives of three individuals and $65 million in civilian and Air Force assets.

The General E. R. Quesada Memorial Award for Outstanding Civilian ATC Manager of the Year Award: Mark “Chip” Dyni, Oshkosh, Wis., Air Traffic Control Tower (Midwest ATC)

Dyni plays a crucial role in hosting a variety of unique events that showcase aviation innovations throughout the year. These events depend heavily on his proactive involvement as the Airport Traffic Manager.

In May 2023, for example, the airport hosted the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) SAFECON. Simultaneously, Chip and his team managed the safe and orderly flow of traffic for a Cirrus Formation Flying School event, which involved 20 aircraft over three days. This added significant complexity to an already busy airport surface.

Beginning well in advance of the annual EAA AirVenture event, the OSH tower team prepared diligently for the event, which transforms the airport into the world’s busiest for that week. This remarkable success can be attributed to Chip and his team’s meticulous planning and coordination efforts, ensuring that the FAA can maintain safety and efficiency during the world’s largest fly-in.

General E.R. Quesada Memorial Award for Outstanding Military ATC Manager of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Katelyn Moore, Chief Controller, Tower, Edwards Air Force Base

Senior Master Sgt. Moore leads 22 Airmen and civilians, overseeing the safety of 30,000 annual operations across 12 units, six nations, and 14 landing surfaces, all involving 71 airframes valued at $5 trillion.

She oversees a $27 million facility and equipment budget, advising senior leaders on airfield status issues and executing a $54 million annual budget for her group.

Katelyn played a key role in the historic first flight of the stealth B-21, enabling critical software changes for 21 flights and ensuring air domain superiority for sixth-generation global strike capabilities. Her team's excellence has been recognized with four Team Awards and 12 Squadron-Wing awards, along with two Achievement Medals for operational excellence and the Wing’s Airmen of the Year honors.

Her team supported four NATO/Air National Guard exercises that prompted NATO Defense Plan policy changes and trained over 1,000 allies, earning the Air Force Test Center International Affairs Award.

Additionally, she spearheaded the AFSOC Certification of AFMC's sole Landing Zone Course, directing 105 operations with three wings and increasing combat readiness for 14 Airmen across three career fields, which boosted Air Force capabilities by 16%.

The Charles E. Varnell Memorial Annual Outstanding Achievement Award for Small Business: Concept Solutions (CS), LLC, NAVenGIS team

CS, in partnership with NAV CANADA, has launched an ambitious initiative to transform air traffic management for military flights and enhance coordination with the U.S. National Airspace System. Their innovative system built on the Advanced Geographic Information System framework demonstrates that rapid deployment of operational capabilities is achievable within just three months.

In Phase 1, CS implemented an automated ADS-B accommodation capability. This system enables NAV CANADA’s military flight planners to enhance situational awareness and communicate critical flight route information to air traffic controllers for unequipped aircraft.

Phase 2 will introduce a cutting-edge Altitude Reservation request management system improving internal communications and situational awareness among NAV CANADA’s Altitude Reservation Units. This centralized digital view of upcoming missions will replace a manual process that relied on paper and analog maps, resulting in enhanced safety, reduced operator workload, and better information exchange with international air navigation service providers, including the FAA and the U.K.

The ATCA Industry Award: The Digital Information Platform (DIP) team, in support of NASA’s Sustainable Flight National Partnership (SFNP) mission

The Digital Information Platform team recently conducted field demonstrations in support of NASA’s Sustainable Flight National Partnership, showcasing how aviation decision support services can boost operational efficiency for both traditional and non-traditional flight operators.

One key innovation is the Collaborative Digital Departure Rerouting tool, which shifts from a traditional on-premises ATM decision support system to a cloud-based architecture. By leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, the CDDR replaces outdated algorithms with predictive capabilities.

This collaborative project involves NASA, the FAA, NATCA, and commercial flight operators, focusing on gate-to-gate trajectory management under various airspace constraints. The expected outcomes include validating ICAO’s Flight Flow Information in a Collaborative Environment (FF-ICE) through live flight demonstrations. This will facilitate integrated air/ground trajectory services, improve efficiency in routing, and enhance pre-departure and enroute negotiations, promoting sustainable aviation practices globally.

Lingiam “Linn” Odems Memorial Award for Military ATC of the Year: Senior Airman Tristian Horne, U.S. Air Force

Senior Airman Horne showcased exceptional leadership in managing the transfer of German Air Force assets, successfully sterilizing 126,000 square miles of airspace. His efforts improved coalition operations and earned him the title of Expeditionary Squadron Airman of the Quarter. He led 16 personnel in resolving five diplomatic clearance issues, facilitating the movement of 30 intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance assets, and ensuring the transport of 105 Department of State personnel in Africa.

Horne coordinated responses to 11 in-flight emergencies, working with four agencies to preserve $819 million in host nation assets, save 13 aircrew members, and prevent mission delays. During the Sudan crisis, he synchronized 1,100 operations with 36 partner nations, supporting 100 special operations personnel and aiding in the evacuation of 743 people from the U.S. Embassy, which contributed to his selection as Expeditionary Squadron Airman of the Month.

He also restructured the Airfield Operations System Specialist program, aligning a $45 million RADAR system with FAA standards and enhancing interoperability. By coordinating two flight check missions, he prepared the airfield for new Instrument Landing Systems, increasing landing capability by 66% and eliminating terrain hazards. Selected for Exercise AGILE SPARTAN V, he synchronized 83 Agile Combat Employment missions, leading to his nomination for the Tuskegee Excellence Award.