Silver Spring, MD – The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) received the Virginia Governor’s Transportation Safety Award in a ceremony in Fredericksburg, Virginia on May 10, 2000. The award was presented by Virginia Department of Transportation Secretary Shirley Ybarra, during a luncheon at Virginia’s Annual Conference on Transportation Safety, to Henry Ogrodzinski, president and CEO and Vicki Smith, manager of the NASAO Center for Aviation Education and Research.

The award recognizes NASAO’s contributions to aviation safety through the Airport Safety Data Program, which it manages for the Federal Aviation Administration. Under the Airport Safety Data Program, individual states conduct intensive safety inspections at nearly 5,000 public use airports across the nation. In addition to identifying potential safety hazards, the inspectors gather a myriad of data important to the traveling public. This information is the foundation for all aeronautical charts and airport directories published in the United States.

In accepting the award, NASAO President and CEO, Henry Ogrodzinski said that, "we are honored to receive the award on behalf of the NASAO member states and Washington staff for their efforts in enhancing aviation safety." He also thanked Virginia Governor, James Gilmore Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shirley Ybarra and the Virginia Transportation Safety Board for their recognition of NASAO’s contribution to the safety of the national air transportation system.

Sponsored by the Virginia Transportation Safety Board, the Governor’s Transportation Safety Awards recognize exemplary accomplishments in the public and private sector that promote transportation safety. NASAO Chairman and Virginia Department of Aviation Director Ken Wiegand, said that, "the Governor’s Transportation Safety Award is very prestigious in Virginia. Each of our NASAO members should be proud of their organization and of their individual efforts in this important program. It is gratifying to know that the state government appreciates the role that our national association plays in support of air safety."

NASAO represents the state government aviation agencies which serve the public interest in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Please visit our website at http://www.nasao.org.