Washington, DC

Aviation fraternity bestows highest honor on NBAA's Ed Bolen for industry leadership

The professional collegiate aviation fraternity Alpha Eta Rho (AHP) has awarded its namesake honor to National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen for his decades of service to the aviation industry and his commitment to engaging and educating its future leaders.

“We are pleased to present Ed with our highest award in recognition of the role he and NBAA have played in reenforcing Alpha Eta Rho’s mission of helping today’s students become tomorrow’s aviation leaders,” said AHP CEO Ben O’Brien. “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Ed and NBAA in the future.”

The award was presented at AHP’s inaugural Collegiate Aviation Symposium, held on February 24th and 25th in Columbus, OH.

NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award and have been fortunate to be part of a community filled with inspiring young people, from all backgrounds, with a shared passion for ensuring that a vital industry continues to have a central role in our nation’s future,” said Bolen.

NBAA offers dozens of scholarships and a host of programs to support students pursuing industry careers, including Collegiate Connect, held during the association’s annual convention; Campus Connect, a university-based outreach program; and the NBAA Mentoring Network, which connects established and aspiring professionals. The association produces a student edition of its flagship Business Aviation Insider magazine each year, and offers student memberships to anyone enrolled in a high school, college or vocational program.

NBAA was a sponsor of AHP’s symposium, as well as its 2024 National Conference, and the organization supports several ongoing initiatives focused on the development of skills in the STEM fields, which are prevalent in aviation.

Bolen, a private pilot, has led NBAA since 2004, joining the association after serving as the president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association for eight years. Prior to his association career, Bolen was majority general counsel to what is now the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. He also served as legislative director for US Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS) and was a key player in the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994.

The Alpha Eta Rho award has been given since 1971 to those who have made a significant contribution to aviation education. The recipient list includes Grover Loening, who worked for the Wright Brothers and became one of the earliest designers of business aviation aircraft; renowned pilot and military leader General James Harold Doolittle; businessman William Piper; and Paul Poberezny, an aviator, aircraft designer and founder of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA). In 2024, the fraternity presented the award to NBAA Senior Vice President, Events and Professional Engagement Jo Damato, CAM.