NBAA Recognizes Robert Olislagers’ Decades of Advocacy with Silk Scarf Award

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has presented its prestigious Silk Scarf Award to Robert Olislagers, CEO and executive director of Centennial Airport (APA) in Denver, CO, in recognition of his career-long commitment to business aviation.

The award was presented to Olislagers at an event held in honor of his service and upcoming retirement.

Olislagers landed at Centennial Airport in 2000 as executive director. Shortly after assuming his post, he ensured the airport’s continued success by authoring and advocating for a bill that restored federal funding for the airport.

From 2013-2018, under Olislagers’ leadership, the airport nearly doubled its economic contribution to the state’s economy, up to $2.1 billion from $1.32 billion, according to the 2020 Colorado Division of Aeronautics Airport Economic Impact Report.

Olislagers’ advocacy efforts include testifying on behalf of the business aviation industry before Congress, and representing business aviation with federal agencies, often focusing on aviation security matters.

At NBAA’s invitation, Olislagers was a featured speaker at the association’s Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition (ABACE) in April 2015. There, he addressed a dedicated summit of airport leaders, focused on growing business aviation infrastructure in China and across the Asian region.

Earlier this year, Olislagers was named a laureate to the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame.

About the Award

In an effort to honor outstanding business aviation community members and inspire future aviators, the NBAA Silk Scarf Award is given to individuals for special contributions to the business aviation community during their careers. Learn more and view past award recipients of the NBAA Silk Scarf Award.