By Philip Reed
The Department of Energy’s Office of Aviation Management hosts an annual aviation safety award program, intended to promote safe operations and to recognize the top performers in each program. On Jan. 5, they announced that Aviation Manager Rich Westra was recognized with their Management Professional Award.
“I am honored to be nominated and selected,” said Westra. “Federal agencies were encouraged to share their aviation programs’ best practices that have made their programs safer, more efficient and effective during the past year.”
“The judging was conducted by an external panel selected from industry and other federal agencies,” said Office of Aviation Management Director Glen Wattman in his announcement. “Each of the winners should be extremely proud of the recognition, as the competition from aviation programs was highly competitive and impressive.”
Other categories evaluated included the Small Unit Award, Unmanned Aircraft System Unit Award, Management Professional Award, Aviation Safety Manager Award, Top Pilot Award, Top Maintainer Award, Top Administrative Professional Award and Top Operations Support Professional Award.
“WAPA has many outstanding achievements in aircraft management and administration, flight operations, maintenance, training and safety,” Westra said. “I was a small part of the WAPA Aviation team, which includes Deb Rock, Todd Slade, Rory Kirkendall, Scott Hauge, Logan Schuck and my supervisor, Steve Yexley. Each individual’s work ethics, accomplishments and professionalism contributed in an outstanding manner to improve the safety, efficiency and effectiveness in all the aspects of WAPA’s federal flight program.”
Note: The author is a public affairs specialist.
Last modified on March 5th, 2024