NBAA Announces 6 Recipients of 2025 Kern Professionalism Award

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The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced it will bestow its 2025 Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award upon six individuals who exemplify the highest standards of professionalism and leadership in support of business aviation safety.

Recipients of this year’s award are:

  • Joe Barber, Clay Lacy Aviation

  • John Cox, Safety Operating Systems

  • Joseph Rivera, International Aviation Services LLC

  • Jack Santucci, Reyes Holdings

  • Kris Stewart, WYVERN Ltd

  • Phillip Taylor, Advanced Aircrew Academy

“Professionalism is the foundation of a strong safety culture, regardless of an operation’s size,” said Mark Larsen, CAM, NBAA director of safety and flight operations. “We’re honored to recognize these individuals who exemplify safety and professionalism in a wide range of roles across the business aviation industry.”

The awards will be presented during the “Recognizing Safety Excellence” session taking place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 15, during the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). The session is part of the NBAA National Safety Forum, held Oct. 14-15.

This year’s forum will examine the latest issues impacting the business aviation industry. Topics include making decisions under pressure, the most current aeromedical information, creating a safety culture, case studies in safe operations and more. Learn more about the National Safety Forum.

First awarded in 2016, the Professionalism in Aviation Award honors U.S. Air Force veteran and Convergent Performance co-founder Dr. Kern, who has authored 10 books on human performance.

The peer-nominated award recognizes individual pilots, maintenance technicians, flight attendants, dispatchers and other aviation professionals who excel in leadership in the areas of professional ethics, vocational excellence, continuous improvement, professional engagement, professional image and selflessness.

All Kern Award nominations are vetted by a panel of NBAA Safety Committee members. NBAA will begin accepting nominations for the 2026 awards in January.

Learn more about the Dr. Tony Kern Professionalism in Aviation Award.

Taking place Oct. 14-16, NBAA-BACE is the world’s most powerful business aviation event of the year, showcasing the industry’s latest innovations and services, and hosting the leaders who are shaping its future. Learn more about NBAA-BACE.

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