AIAA / AAAE / ACC Jay Hollingsworth Speas Airport Award Open for Nominations 10 July 2025 – 1 November 2025

Award Recipients

2024

• Pittsburgh International Airport
  Pittsburgh International Airport

  Awarded

  Award: 2024 AIAA/AAAE/ACC Jay Hollingsworth Speas Airport Award

  AIAA Citation: For the creation of a cost-saving and carbon emissions-reducing microgrid to provide all power at Pittsburgh International Airport using a 10,000 panel solar array constructed on an unusable capped landfill and five natural gas generators on airport property.

2021

• Jackson Hole Airport Board
  Jackson Hole Airport Board

  Awarded

  Award: 2021 AIAA/AAAE/ACC Jay Hollingsworth Speas Airport Award

  AIAA Citation: “For the continuous prioritization of sustainability at the airport to protect the environment and support a resilient future for the community.”

2020

• Louisville Regional Airport Authority
  Louisville Regional Airport Authority

  Awarded

  Award: 2020 Jay Hollingsworth Speas Airport Award

  AIAA Citation: LRAA seeks to maintain operational capabilities while enhancing community relations with neighborhoods and reducing environmental impacts of obstruction mitigation.

2019

• Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA)
  Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority (MNAA)

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For creatively transforming a nearby quarry into the largest geothermal lake plate cooling system in North America to provide a sustainable source of water for the airport’s terminal cooling and irrigation needs.

2018

• Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority
  Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For an innovative and sustainable stormwater and deicing treatment system that provides an example to other airports in meeting operational, regulatory and community needs.

2017

• H+N+S Landscape Architects
  H+N+S Landscape Architects

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  Award: 2017 ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design and Construction Symposium

  AIAA Citation: For the vision, strategy, and development of the Buitenschot Land Art Park near Amsterdam’s busy Schiphol Airport. The park features a labyrinth of noise-deflecting landscape architecture, land art, and innovative technology which protects the surrounding communities from noise pollution as well as providing breathtaking views and recreational green space
• Schiphol Group Projects Management
  Schiphol Group Projects Management

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  Award: 2017 ACC/AAAE Airport Planning, Design and Construction Symposium

  AIAA Citation: “For the vision, strategy, and development of the Buitenschot Land Art Park near Amsterdam’s busy Schiphol Airport. The park features a labyrinth of noise-deflecting landscape architecture, land art, and innovative technology which protects the surrounding communities from noise pollution as well as providing breathtaking views and recreational green space.”

2016

• Westchester County Airport
  Westchester County Airport

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For building positive community relationships through collaborative efforts and neighborhood education by all airport organizations focused on improved environmental performance and reduced noise impact.

2015

• Chicago Department of Aviation
  Chicago Department of Aviation

  Awarded

  Award: -

  AIAA Citation: For embracing sustainability initiatives as essential components of environmental stewardship and becoming an internationally recognized pillar of the green airport movement through launching and hosting the annual Airports Going Green Conference.

2014

• Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority
  Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport Authority

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For innovative flood control and storm water management using green infrastructure to solve the flooding problem for the neighboring community while dramatically improving the area’s appearance and extending the airport’s Runway Protection Zone.

2013

• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Airport Planning Department
  Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, Airport Planning Department

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For instituting an environmentally-friendly Smart Landscaping program fostering propagation of native vegetation while minimizing water usage and maintenance, and educating the public at the Airport’s interactive Environmental Learning Center for potential non-airport application.

2012

• James P Elwood
  Aspen-Pitkin/County Airport

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For leadership in developing a cooperative relationship with the community surrounding the Aspen-Pitkin/County Airport by designing and implementing aggressive environmental protection programs while achieving airport expansion.

2011

• Sustainable Aviation Guidance Alliance (SAGA)
  Sustainable Aviation Guidance Alliance (SAGA)

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For creating a comprehensive repository of information on proven solutions that is accessible to airports of all sizes and types to help them plan, implement, maintain and enhance operationally efficient and effective sustainability programs.

2010

• Denver International Airport, Planning and Noise Division
  Denver International Airport, Planning and Noise Division

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional efforts to mitigate noise around Denver International Airport by working with airlines, the FAA, and local community groups to increase understanding of the airport’s mission, preserve land for airport expansion, and protect the environments of surrounding communities.

2009

• Larry Slominski
  WorldWater and Solar Technologies

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For imaginatively creating a public/private partnership to develop a solar power generating system on fallow approach zone land that will yield megawatts of clean renewable energy for the airport and reduced emissions in the community in virtual perpetuity.
• Russell C Widmar
  Fresno Yosemite International Airport

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For imaginatively creating a public/private partnership to develop a solar power generating system on fallow approach zone land that will yield megawatts of clean renewable energy for the airport and reduced emissions in the community in virtual perpetuity.

2008

• Thomas J Kinton
  Massachusetts Port Authority

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For creating the Delta Air Lines Terminal A at Logan International Airport in Boston as a national model for passenger-friendly and environmentally responsible facilities and for being the first airport facility to achieve the “Leadership in Environmental Engineering and Design” (LEED) certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.
• Thomas E Lang
  Delta Air Lines, Inc.

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For creating the Delta Air Lines Terminal A at Logan International Airport in Boston as a national model for passenger-friendly and environmentally responsible facilities and for being the first airport facility to achieve the “Leadership in Environmental Engineering and Design” (LEED) certification awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.

2007

• Miami-Dade International Airport, Aviation Department
  Miami-Dade International Airport, Aviation Department

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For collaboration with Miami-Dade County officials to create the Miami-Dade County Height and Land Use Zoning Ordinance for Miami International Airport which promotes compatible land use around the Airport, provides for the safe and economical placement of educational facilities and protects the quality of life for the public through an innovative partnership with local agencies and other entities in the community.

2006

• Michael Gobb
  Blue Grass Airport

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For innovative architectural design of Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport runway safety area retaining wall with landscape art and a mural that pays tribute to the thoroughbred industry of the Kentucky Bluegrass region and emphasizes the economic ties between the Airport and the surrounding community.
• John Slone
  Blue Grass Airport

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For innovative architectural design of Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport runway safety area retaining wall with landscape art and a mural that pays tribute to the thoroughbred industry of the Kentucky Bluegrass region and emphasizes the economic ties between the Airport and the surrounding community.

2005

• Ms. Arlene J Mulder
  O'Hare Noise Compatibility Commission

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For extraordinary leadership and personal initiative in educating the public, manufacturers, regulators and researchers about the impacts of noise; helping disparate groups to reach consensus on mitigation goals; and for guiding and promoting the funding of noise abatement research and development through participation in national and international advisory groups.

2003

• David A Brown
  Parsons Transportation Group Inc

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For planning, developing, and constructing a new runway at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in concert with the surrounding natural environment and the neighboring community
• J Christopher Nielsen
  Cleveland Hopkins International Airport

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For planning, developing, and constructing a new runway at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport in concert with the surrounding natural environment and the neighboring community

2002

• Daniel L Mcgregor
  The Boeing Company

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of his outstanding contributions in reducing the environmental impact of aircraft noise and emissions resulting in significant cost savings to airlines and airports.

2001

• Daniel Waggoner
  Snohomish County Airport

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For development of Washington state’s first wetland Compensation bank program which established statewide model for responsible development, environmental protection and public-private partnerships.

2000

• Christine Klein
  Anchorage International Airport

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For unparalleled aviation program development, public education, and commitment to the advancement of airport regulatory compliance, environmental protection, and community relations.

1999

• Prof John-Paul B Clarke
  Georgia Institute of Technology

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For development of effective tools for modeling and evaluating new approaches to noise reduction that have led to solutions that benefit populations everywhere and will be particularly valuable to airports surrounded by noise-sensitive communities.

1998

• Robert S Michael
  Regional Airport Authority of Louisville and Jefferson County

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For unparalleled leadership and partnership as General Manager of Louisville International Airport, while implementing programs to mitigate the impacts of airport noise via a voluntary relocation plan, drastically reducing service vehicle emissions, and conserving resources through recycling. These environmentally sensitive initiatives have cemented a lasting relationship between the airport and the community it serves.

1997

• David A Hilton
  Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For establishing a Quiet Flying Program for Gulfstream Aircraft and an Airport Assistance Program for airports with close in neighborhoods, both of which have been successful in achieving substantial aircraft noise reduction at some of the world's most noise sensitive airports, and for having been duly recognized by citizen, political, and aeronautical groups worldwide.

1996

• Dirk A Semenza
  R Squared Metal Fabrication, Inc.

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of the foresight and engineering ability that created a patented, mobile, environmentally sound, safer, alternate method of training airport firefighters at a sharply reduced cost.

1995

• CAPT Matthew Kundrot
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: In recognition of development and leadership of the Airport Relations Program (ARP) which has improved public relations through educational and reduced noise procedures at 60 airports and military airfields, while simultaneously resulting in greater operational safety.

1994

• Mr. Philip Engle
  Pan American World Airways Inc

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For establishing and leading an exemplary program in noise abatement and political consensus building since 1987 through the Teterboro Airport Noise Abatement Advisory Committee.

1993

• James P Muldoon
  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For exceptional management of aircraft noise management programs by means of the nation's largest school sound proofing program and flight track monitoring system.

1992

• John Shelly
  Aviation Development Council

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For the development of a computerized program for the rotation of runways, thereby avoiding, when operating conditions permit, the prolonged overflight of a community.

1991

• Andrea Riniker
  Seattle - Tacoma International Airport

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For leadership in guiding the Sea-Tac Airport Staff and the Noise Mediation Committee as they negotiated new noise abatement programs for Sea-Tac. The creative, innovative negotiation process was supported by all participants. The outcome guarantees a 50 percent reduction in aircraft noise by the year 2001.

1990

• Herbert C Godfrey Jr
  Broward County Aviation Department

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For leadership of the Greenbelt Project at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, a project which exemplifies his goals to successfully combine airport growth and community involvement to create total airport compatibility with the surrounding area.

1989

• John E Wesler
  Wyle Laboratories

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For unique contributions in developing and implementing national and international aviation noise abatement programs and regulations, including implementation of the Airport Noise Compatibility Program, development of Integrated Noise Model, phase out of noisy first-generation aircraft, and continued emphasis of aviation noise control at national and international levels.

1988

• Timothy S Ward
  Robert Mueller Municipal Airport

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For service as Director of Aviation, Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, a severely constrained 730 acre facility surrounded by residential neighborhoods that has accommodated excessive growth during the past decade, effectively serving Austin’s traveling public with minimal improvements to the existing facilities, while simultaneously maintaining a high level of involvement and mutual respect for the adjacent communities.

1987

• Paul S Barkely
  Pacific Southwest Airlines

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For notable achievements in guiding the $1 billion program under which PSA became the first airline in the country to operate a fleet of the MD 80 and the second to fly the BAE 146--quiet, fuel-efficient aircraft that makes PSA and the airports it serves good neighbors to the surrounding communities.
• Bryon Miller
  Pacific Southwest Airlines

  Awarded-CoRecipients

  AIAA Citation: For notable achievements in guiding the $1 billion program under which PSA became the first airline in the country to operate a fleet of the MD 80 and the second to fly the BAE 146--quiet, fuel-efficient aircraft that makes PSA and the airports it serves good neighbors to the surrounding communities.

1986

• Robert P Doyle
  Peat, Marwick, Mitchell and Company

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For excellent work for the past twenty years in conceiving and implementing innovative approaches for enhancing airport community compatibility.

1985

• Norman Y Mineta
  Department of Transportation

  Awarded

  AIAA Citation: For leadership and initiation in distinguishing the funding of noise compatibility projects as an integral and significant part of the federal airport grant programs; in advocating and defending the strictest possible federal regulation of noise emissions by all airline jets, and in urging that improved noise compatibility is vital to airport development.