NATA Announces 2025 Industry Excellence Award Recipients

NATA (the National Air Transportation Association) announced the recipients of its 2025 Industry Excellence Awards today, honoring individuals whose professionalism and dedication strengthen safety, service, and leadership in business aviation. The awards will be presented during the NATA Aviation Business Conference on November 18 at The Adolphus in Dallas, Texas.

“The aviation business industry’s strength lies in the people who live and breathe safety and service every day,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “This year’s honorees set a powerful example of what it means to raise the bar for safety, training, teamwork, and excellence across the industry.”

Paul “B.J.” Ransbury, CEO of Aviation Performance Solutions (APS), is the recipient of NATA’s Excellence in Pilot Training Award. Ransbury has dedicated his career to advancing Upset Prevention and Recovery Training (UPRT), equipping pilots with the awareness, prevention, and recovery skills to combat loss of control in flight—the leading cause of aviation fatalities. Under his leadership, APS, based in Mesa, Arizona, has trained more than 180,000 pilots worldwide and set a global benchmark for operationally relevant training programs that save lives and raise industry standards.

The General Aviation Service Technician Award goes to Duane Fowler, Lead Avionics Technician at Heritage Aviation in Burlington, Vermont. Fowler has spent more than two decades honing his avionics expertise while mentoring the next generation of technicians. Known for his steady leadership, problem-solving skills, and willingness to lend a hand wherever needed, Fowler has played a pivotal role in building Heritage Aviation’s reputation for excellence. His colleagues describe him as a trusted leader whose technical knowledge and teamwork is making a lasting impact.

Hector Milian, Supervisor of Line and Ramp Services at Jet Aviation in Teterboro, New Jersey, has been named the Safety 1st Certified Line Service Professional Award winner. Over his 26 years at one of the busiest general aviation airports in the nation, Milian has earned a reputation for calm professionalism and an unwavering commitment to safety. From coordinating complex daily operations to mentoring his team, he consistently reinforces a culture of teamwork and care, ensuring both client satisfaction and the safety of every colleague on the ramp.

NATA’s FBO Customer Service Representative Award is presented to Erin Schubert, Customer Service Manager at APP Jet Center in Stuart, Florida. With more than 13 years at the FBO, Schubert has become a trusted point of contact for clients ranging from private pilots to Fortune 500 executives. She is praised for her dedication to exceeding expectations, her ability to turn challenges into positive experiences, and her leadership in raising service standards. Now overseeing a team of CSRs, Schubert continues to instill a customer-first mindset that strengthens both her team and the organization.

The awardees will be formally honored during NATA’s 2025 Aviation Business Conference in Dallas, Texas, on November 18, 2025. The program will also feature the presentation of NATA’s Ong, Distinguished Service, Distinguished Public Service, Airport Executive, and Leadership Excellence Awards.

Tickets for the luncheon are available for purchase and are also included in the conference registration. For more information on attending the presentation and luncheon, please contact jwilliams@nata.aero.