NATA Awards Top Honors to Long-time Aviation Executives Larry R. Flynn and Randall D. Berg

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is pleased to announce the recipients of its highest annual honors. The William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award, will be presented to former Gulfstream Aerospace President Larry R. Flynn and the NATA Distinguished Service Award will be presented to long-time airport executive Randall (Randy) D. Berg. The Awards Presentation Luncheon will take place June 13^th in conjunction with the NATA 2018 Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference.

The William A. “Bill” Ong Memorial Award is named in honor and memory of the association’s co-founder and first president, and given for extraordinary achievement and extended meritorious service to the general aviation industry. This year’s award recognizes Larry R. Flynn a renowned aviation business leader with more than 30 years of experience in managing and elevating aircraft service facilities.

Flynn most recently served as Vice President of General Dynamics (2001-2015) and President of its subsidiary Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation (2011-2015). His tenure with Gulfstream also included roles as Senior Vice President of Marketing & Sales and President of Product Support. Flynn started with Gulfstream in 1995 as Vice President of Aircraft Services, where he directed the tenfold growth of its service business over his tenure — along with helping Gulfstream Product Support become a leading OEM support organization for more than a decade.

Prior to joining Gulfstream, Flynn was responsible for managing six FBOs as Vice President for Location Based Services with Stevens Aviation. He also served as Regional Vice President for Signature Flight Support and as an Executive Vice President and General Manager for AMR Combs. Flynn has held several advisory roles with the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, National Management Association, Professional Aviation Maintenance Association, and Mighty Eighth Air Force Museum. He currently acts as an Advisory Board member at Duncan Aviation and Capital Aviation Group. Flynn holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and a Master's degree in Manpower Management from the University of Kansas.

“NATA and its membership are proud to recognize Larry Flynn’s esteemed career with the Ong award,” stated NATA President Marty Hiller. “For over 30 years, Larry’s leadership and keen insight enhanced the profile of numerous sectors of the general aviation community and helped secure the industry’s position as a worldwide leader.”

This year’s NATA Distinguished Service Award, recognizing outstanding service and ongoing contributions to the general aviation industry, goes to Randy Berg, current NATA Board Member and Partner of Aeroplex/Aerolease Group.

Berg, an airport executive with over 40 years of experience, was most recently the Director of Aviation for King County in Washington, where he directed the King County International Airport/Boeing Field. With 150 tenant businesses, the general aviation airport generates an annual economic impact of approximately $3.5 billion and supports over 16,000 jobs.

Prior to this position, Berg served for nearly 15 years as Director of Airport Operations for the Salt Lake City Department of Airports. In this role, he was responsible for the department’s two general aviation airports and the daily operations of the Salt Lake City International Airport, handling approximately 21 million passengers and over 300,000 annual aircraft operations.

Berg has also held executive-level airport management positions with the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority; the City of Long Beach, California; El Dorado County, California; and, the City of Auburn, Washington. In addition to Berg’s airport management career, he has been an Adjunct Professor in Aviation Management at California State University, Los Angeles for the past 30 years, and at Westminster College in Salt Lake City for 13 years.

Berg has participated on multiple boards, committees and other aviation-related groups, including the American Association of Airport Executives, National Aeronautic Association and Aero Club of Southern California. He is an active member of the Transportation Research Board, National Academy of Sciences Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP). Mr. Berg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aviation Management from Pepperdine University.  

“Over the past 42 years, Randy Berg has contributed significantly to the general aviation community in various roles as a leader and educator. An integral member of the NATA Board, Randy’s vast knowledge of our industry is crucial when addressing airport-related issues and collaborating on research projects, such as ACRP, to better serve our members. The association is pleased that we will all continue to benefit from Randy’s guidance and enthusiasm for inspiring the growth of young aviation business professionals,” stated NATA President Marty Hiller.

Contact Karissa Uko at kuko@nata.aero for more information on NATA's Industry Excellence Awards Presentation Luncheon and to secure tickets.