Awards Program

Overview
Every year, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is proud to recognize superior achievement by presenting awards in the categories of Aviation Professional of the Year, Distinguished Aviation Service, Commercial Service Airport of the Year, General Aviation Airport of the Year, Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year, and General Aviation Airport Project of the Year. Any airport, airport authority, local, state, federal government official, consultant, contractor, industry partner, or FDOT staff can make a nomination. All nominations must be received by FDOT no later than May 31st of each year in order to be considered for that year. FDOT will present a certificate honoring the recipient in each category at the Statewide CFASPP Steering Committee Meeting held in conjunction with the FAC Annual Conference and Exposition.

Aviation Professional Of The Year
Every year, the FDOT Aviation Office considers individuals for the Aviation Professional of the Year award. Aspects of aviation to be considered for the award include technological research or advancement, airport management, airport construction or maintenance, airport design, aviation safety, aviation legislation, and Florida aviation business.

To nominate an individual, please download a nomination form, and complete the General Information Section. Use the Narrative Section to describe how this individual has been active in Florida aviation during the year prior to the nomination, and has made a significant contribution to Florida aviation over a period of years.

Please contact Michael McDougall, the Aviation Communications Manager at 850-414-4512 for additional information. Award nominations should be submitted electronically to Michael.McDougall@dot.state.fl.us or by mail (Aviation Office, 605 Suwannee St., MS-46, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450).

Distinguished Aviation Service Award Every year, the FDOT Aviation Office considers individuals for the Distinguished Aviation Service Award, which can be awarded to more than one person in a year. Aspects of aviation to be considered for the award include outstanding dedication to Florida aviation during their career, has made significant contributions to Florida aviation and the community, and has demonstrated exceptional professionalism through leadership and resourcefulness.

Eligible nominees for the award must meet the following criteria: the person will retire, has retired, or passed away within a year of the award presentation; was employed in aviation, aerospace, or a related field in Florida; or served in a voluntary capacity in aviation, aerospace, or a related field in Florida.

To nominate an individual for the Distinguished Aviation Service Award, please download a nomination form, complete the requested General Information Section and use the Narrative Section to describe how the individual meets the above qualifications.

You may contact Michael McDougall, the Aviation Communications Manager at 850-414-4512 for additional information. Award nominations should be submitted electronically to Michael.McDougall@dot.state.fl.us or by mail (Aviation Office, 605 Suwannee St., MS-46, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0450).

Commercial Service Airport of the Year
Every year, the FDOT Aviation Office considers commercial service airports for the award of Commercial Service Airport of the Year. Eligible airports for this award must be designated as a Commercial Service Airport by FDOT and geographically located within the State of Florida as part of the Florida Aviation System Plan (FASP). The award is based on the categories of Safety, Aesthetics, and Airport Management.

The Safety Category considers approach standards for each active runway, the primary surface for each active runway (cleared and mowed), the general condition of each runway surface, including no edge drop-offs greater than three inches, the security of the terminal and airfield, the airport’s emergency procedures, facilities, equipment, and proper and correct airfield signage and marking.

The Aesthetics Category takes into account the general appearance of the airport and the impression left from arrival or departure by both air and ground, including building appearance, landscaping, grounds maintenance, access roads, and parking areas. The Aesthetics category also takes into account the professionalism of airport staff, emphasizing friendliness, courteousness, cooperation, and overall efficiency.

Under the Airport Management Category, airports are recognized for their innovative programs, active participation by airport management in maximizing services to travelers, the airport’s financial stability and ability to optimize resources, knowledge of and compliance with state, federal rules and regulations, and completeness and financial feasibility of the Joint Automated Capital Improvement Program (JACIP) data. Airports are also judged on the adequacy, currency, and compliance with their Airport Master Plan.

To nominate one of Florida's airports as Commercial Service Airport of the Year, please download a nomination form, complete the General Information Section, and use the Narrative Section to describe how the airport excels in the categories of Safety, Aesthetics, and Airport Management.

General Aviation Airport of the Year
Every year, the FDOT Aviation Office considers airports for the award of General Aviation Airport of the Year. Eligible airports for this award must be designated as a Public-Use General Aviation Airport by FDOT and must be geographically located within the State of Florida as part of the Florida Aviation System Plan (FASP). The award is based on the categories of Safety, Aesthetics, and Airport Management.

The Safety Category considers approach standards for each active runway, the primary surface for each active runway (cleared and mowed), the general condition of each runway surface, including no edge drop-offs greater than three inches, the security of the airfield, and proper and correct airfield signage and marking.

The Aesthetics Category takes into account the general appearance of the airport and the impression left from arrival or departure by both air and ground, including building appearance, landscaping, grounds maintenance, access roads, and parking areas. The Aesthetics category also takes into account the professionalism of airport staff and privately contracted services such as Fixed Base Operators (FBO's), emphasizing friendliness, courteousness, cooperation, and overall efficiency.

Under the Airport Management Category, airports are recognized for their innovative programs, active participation by airport management in maximizing services to the flying public, the airport’s financial stability and ability to optimize resources, knowledge of and compliance with state, federal rules, regulations, and completeness and financial feasibility of the Joint Automated Capital Improvement Program (JACIP) data. Airports are also judged on the adequacy, currency, and compliance with their Airport Master Plan.

To nominate one of Florida's airports as General Aviation Airport of the Year, please download a nomination form, complete the General Information Section, and use the Narrative Section to describe how the airport excels in the categories of Safety, Aesthetics, and Airport Management.

Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year
Every year, the FDOT Aviation Office considers aviation projects to receive the Commercial Airport Project of the Year. To be considered for the Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year award, a project must meet the following criteria: demonstrate a significant contribution to airport development, sustainability, efficiency, capacity, and/or safety; be a project funded under the FDOT Aviation Grants Program (it must have a Financial Management Number); be completed in the state fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) in which it is nominated; and be completed at a designated Commercial Service Airport by FDOT.

Nominated projects should meet or exceed one or more of the following success factors: contributes to the mobility of people and goods; contributes to the well-being of people and communities; overcomes challenges presented by the project; demonstrates resourcefulness in planning; demonstrates pioneering use of materials, equipment, and methods; positively contributes to the physical environment and aesthetic value; and/or displays cost-effectiveness.

To nominate a Commercial Service Airport Project, please download a nomination form, complete the General Information Section and use the Narrative Section to describe how this project meets the above criteria.

General Aviation Airport Project of the Year Every Year, the FDOT Aviation Office considers aviation projects to receive the General Aviation Airport Project of the Year. To be considered for the General Aviation Airport Project of the Year award, a project must meet the following criteria: demonstrate a significant contribution to airport development, sustainability, efficiency, capacity, and/or safety; be a project funded under the FDOT Aviation Grants Program (it must have a Financial Management Number); be completed in the state fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) in which it is nominated; and be completed at a designated Commercial Service Airport by FDOT.

To nominate a General Aviation project, please download a nomination form, complete the General Information Section and use the Narrative Section to describe how this project meets the above criteria.

2023 Aviation Award Winners Aviation Professional of the Year: Chris Rozansky - Naples Municipal Airport Distinguished Aviation Service: Todd Cox - AVCON, Commercial Service Airport of the Year: Key West International Airport, General Aviation Airport of the Year: Lakeland Linder International Airport, Commercial Service Airport Project of the Year: Pensacola International Airport - Project Titan (New MRO Facility), General Aviation Airport Project of the Year: Flagler Executive Airport - New Electrical Vault and Runway Rehabilitation Project.