2010 Safety Award
Peter Frey
Delta
A driving force in accident and incident investigations for many years. He has served as the director of ALPA’s accident investigation course and coauthored and contributed to many of ALPA’s published accident analyses. For decades, ALPA pilots have counted on Captain Frey’s formidable strengths as a mentor and as a skilled and engaging instructor for ALPA’s accident investigation courses.
2010 Security Award
Robert Hesselbein
Delta
Led ALPA’s National Security Committee. During his tenure, the Association’s annual security training seminar became a leading international aviation security event. He also designed a comprehensive checklist to help pilots and flight attendants identify and deal with chemical and biological weapons. He began an initiative called “Threatened Airspace Management” to modify ATC procedures used during security-related events.
2010 Pilot Assistance Award
Madeline Tompkins
Hawaiian Airlines
Her exceptional leadership in supporting airline pilots who experience psychological trauma that could affect their personal lives and careers singles her out as a pioneer of critical incident response in aviation; pilots worldwide have benefited from her expertise. She participated on a special ALPA task force to develop a pilot assistance program, and, beginning in 1994, she led the union’s pilot assistance efforts; ALPA’s Critical Incident Response Program was formally established in 1996.
2011 Safety Award
William “Bill” de Groh
American Eagle
Serves as an ALPA volunteer at American Eagle, where he has been an accident investigator, MEC Air Safety vice chair, chair of the ALPA Aircraft Design and Operations Group, director of ALPA Aircraft Performance Programs, and most recently chair of the IFALPA Aircraft Design and Operations Committee.
2011 Security Award
Everett Reese
ExpressJet Airlines
Led the way in the struggle against ever-increasing security threats both at home and abroad. Captain Reese worked closely with the U.S. State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council to determine specific aviation security threats and solutions for operations in Afghanistan and Latin America. These efforts led the way for many other pilot groups and their airlines’ corporate security departments to develop similar policies and procedures for operating in hostile foreign environments.
2011 Pilot Assistance Award
Thomas O’Toole
Jazz Air Inc.
Canadian pilots have always turned to him when feeling overwhelmed by the realities of their personal and professional lives. Beginning with the crash of Swissair Flight 111 off Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1998 and through the aftermath of First Air Flight 6560 at Resolute, he has assisted both pilots and management through the trauma and stress of these serious accidents and other incidents. He has also counseled Canadian ALPA pilots in all areas of pilot assistance, from health concerns to retirement to drug and alcohol abuse and addiction. He currently serves as ALPA’s Canada Pilot Assistance vice chair and Jazz MEC Pilot Assistance vice chair, and is active in recruiting and training future Pilot Assistance volunteers.
2012 Safety Award
Mark Rogers
United Airlines
Worked tirelessly since 1998 on the safe transport of dangerous goods on passenger and cargo aircraft. He is a staunch supporter of the proper training and handling of hazardous materials. He also served on the United Safety Committee as well as represented ALPA and IFALPA as director of their Dangerous Goods programs.
2012 Security Award
Wolfgang Koch
Delta Air Lines
Led ALPA’s efforts to preserve and protect the Federal Flight Deck Officer (FFDO). He was also involved in the development of CrewPASS and the Northwest and Delta MEC Security Committee.
2012 Pilot Assistance Award
John Kohne
FedEx
Was involved in pilot assistance activities at FedEx Express for over 17 years in a number of different capacities. His leadership, dedication, empathy, demeanor, and integrity ensures constant focus on safe flying, even during contentious times such as contract negotiations and related job actions. His personal integrity allows straightforward and open lines of communication with FedEx Express management, resulting in an ever-improving work environment for his fellow crewmembers.
2013 Air Safety Award
Mike Bender
FedEx
Worked tirelessly for years as an ALPA safety volunteer, accident investigator, and safety course instructor. Member of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots’ Associations (IFALPA) Accident Analysis and Prevention Committee since 2009 and was a leader in several international aviation accident investigations as well as a mentor to line pilot accident investigators in the United States, Canada, and abroad..
2013 Security Award
Robert Hamilton
PSA Airlines
Chairman of the ALPA Security Council and chairman of the Security Committee for his pilot group’s Master Executive Council. The public face of ALPA’s efforts to decrease the number of laser illuminations of aircraft cockpits from the ground. Was a key player in the nationwide Laser Threat Awareness campaign led by the FBI and supported by ALPA as well as a subject matter expert on laser threats to pilots.
2013 Pilot Assistance Award
Isabelle Caron
Jazz Aviation
A member of the Canadian Pilot Assistance effort since 2004. She has worked with Canadian pilots in many aspects of pilot assistance, providing ongoing assistance to all Montreal-based Jazz pilots ranging from Critical Incident Response Program (CIRP) issues to conflict resolution. F/O Caron has helped pilots to overcome professional and personal obstacles so they can perform at their very best in the cockpit. She has provided outstanding assistance to pilots and other employees after the 2011 First Air Flight 6560 accident at Resolute Bay in Nunavut, Canada.
2014 Air Safety Award
Helena M. Reidemar
Delta Air Lines
First Officer Reidemar served as co-chair on a groundbreaking effort to enhance flight-path monitoring throughout the airline industry; this work culminated in a practical guide that is now the benchmark reference for airlines in improving pilot monitoring skills. She worked to form important bonds with industry, scientists, and regulators responsible for setting the U.S. national direction in pilot training and safety system design. In 2014 she was named a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society for her internationally recognized body of work within the aviation human factors community.
2014 Aviation Security Award
Darrin Dorn
Alaska AirlinesA member of the ALA MEC Security Committee and the ALPA National Security Council for several years, Captain Dorn introduced the individual crewmember safety and security concept to ALPA to foster development of a training program for ALPA members, assisted in developing and filming the ALPA “Street Smarts” series of videos, and helped update the basic security training course for all new ALPA security volunteers. He helped develop new standard operating procedures for FFDOs and also helped develop the ALPA Hotel Security Course.
2014 Pilot Assistance Award
Thomas Thornton
Delta Air Lines
A member of his pilot group’s Professional Standards Committee for 17 years—15 of those years as committee chairman. Helped to completely transform the Professional Standards Committees at Northwest and Delta that interact with company management.
2015 Air Safety Award
John R. Klinger
Delta Air Lines
First Officer John R. Klinger has been advancing ALPA safety interests for two decades. Following the Delta/Northwest merger in 2008, Klinger served on the Flight Operations Integration Analysis Team—heralded as an industry model on how to integrate two complex and vastly differing airline operations. He brought his valuable experience to Delta from American Eagle in 1999 and has held various safety-focused positions since, collaborating with colleagues and management along the way. Through his efforts as a FOQA gatekeeper, he sought ways to integrate the voluntary safety reporting program with ASAP programs to better understand risk and safety processes. Those efforts formed a benchmark “CrossTalk” agreement that Delta ratified in November 2015, demonstrating what the industry can achieve with safety reporting programs when there is a positive, collaborative approach from all parties.
2015 Aviation Security Award
Richard B. Odbert
FedEx Express
The National Jumpseat Council chairman since 2012, as well as the FedEx Express MEC’s Jumpseat Committee chairman since 2005, Captain Richard B. Odbert played an instrumental role in creating and enhancing today’s jumpseating policies used throughout the industry. An early supporter and facilitator of Known Crewmember and the Cockpit Access Security System, Captain Odbert has served as a valuable resource to top-level decision makers and has directly influenced approvals for international jumpseating procedures. Captain Odbert’s dedication to the piloting profession and his fellow pilots led to his involvement in promoting jumpseating awareness and communication among pilots through the “No Pilot Left Behind” campaign. In addition to his leadership in numerous other projects, all while supporting efforts to increase flight deck security, Captain Odbert also established the jumpseatinfo.org website as a resource for all airline pilots.
2015 Pilot Assistance Award
R. Sean McKeown
United Airlines
Vice chairman of the United MEC’s Human Intervention & Motivational Study (HIMS) Committee, Captain R. Sean McKeown has helped pilots continue their careers through mentoring and monitoring. Captain McKeown has tirelessly advocated for pilots and played an instrumental role in the combined Pilot Assistance program after the United/Continental merger. Over his 15 years of actively promoting the airline piloting profession, he’s unselfishly given his time and energy to help peers when they need help the most, regardless of the hour.
2016 Air Safety Award
Charles Hogeman
United Airlines
Capt. Charles “Chuck” S. Hogeman is being honored with the 2016 ALPA Air Safety Award for his outstanding leadership and numerous contributions to the advancement of aviation safety.
2016 Aviation Security Award
Preston Greene
FedEx Express
F/O Preston Greene is being honored with the 2016 ALPA Aviation Security Award for his valued guidance and extensive work to promote aviation security, particularly in the realm of air cargo.
2016 Pilot Assistance Award
John Rosenberg
Delta Air Lines
Capt. John Rosenberg was recognized with the 2016 Pilot Assistance Award for his extraordinary dedication to evolving ALPA’s Professional Standards program, a peer-based network of trained representatives who address pilot issues of an interpersonal or professional nature.
2017 Air Safety Award
Scott Hammond
Delta Air Lines
Capt. Scott Hammond received the Air Safety Award for his outstanding leadership in aviation safety. Known around the world as a leading and respected advocate for the profession, his work to advance safety reporting programs has resulted in a collaborative approach between the pilot group and airline management.
2017 Aviation Security Award
Eric Herman
Sun Country
Sun Country Captain Eric Herman received the Aviation Security Award for his valued guidance and extensive work to promote aviation security. His commitment to his fellow pilots and aviation security overall have been instrumental in achieving results that will be felt throughout ALPA and our industry for years to come.
2017 First Aviation Jumpseat Award
James Berzon
United Airlines
F/O James Berzon was honored with the Aviation Jumpseat Award for his significant accomplishments to increase cockpit security for airline crewmembers, including several policies that are widely used throughout the industry.
2017 Pilot Assistance Award
Jerry McDermott
United Airlines
ALPA presented its prestigious award to Capt. McDermott for his extraordinary service leading ALPA’s national pilot assistance programs. Through tireless efforts, Capt. McDermott has helped pilots continue their careers through mentoring and monitoring. In his role as chairman of ALPA’s Pilot Assistance group, Capt. McDermott collaborated with industry and government stakeholders to help strengthen Pilot Assistance programs across the industry.
2018 Air Safety Award
Nick Seemel
Jazz Aviation
ALPA recognized Jazz Aviation Capt. Nick Seemel with its Air Safety Award for his outstanding leadership in aviation safety. Over the course of his more than 30 years as an ALPA pilot, Capt. Seemel has become known around the world as a leading and respected advocate for the airline piloting profession. His work to advance safety reporting programs has resulted in a team approach between pilots and airline management and has helped enhance Canadian aviation.
2018 Aviation Security Award
Matt Clark
Delta Air Lines
ALPA recognized Delta Air Lines First Officer Matt Clark with its Aviation Security Award for his innumerable accomplishments in enhancing aviation safety and security. Serving on ALPA’s Aviation Security Council, First Officer Clark has been involved in raising awareness of the concerns created by disruptive passengers and current efforts to help mitigate the risks. As a result of his extensive experience and efforts, he is a trusted subject-matter expert in aviation security, including the Federal Flight Deck Officer program.
2018 Aviation Jumpseat Award
Robert Frank
Air Wisconsin
ALPA presented its prestigious award to Capt. Frank for his significant accomplishments to increase cockpit security for airline crewmembers. One of the founding members of ALPA’s Jumpseat Council, Capt. Frank has been heavily involved in enhancing flight deck security, including several policies that are widely used throughout the industry today.
2018 Pilot Assistance Award
Ben Kalom
United Airlines
ALPA presented its prestigious award to Capt. Kalom for his extraordinary service in leading health and wellness programs for United Airlines pilots. For nearly three decades, Capt. Kalom has actively promoted the profession by ensuring that pilots have access to important programs that help improve their lives both while on duty and at home.
2019 Air Safety Award
Scott Schwartz
FedEx Express
Capt. Scott Schwartz is being honored with the 2019 ALPA Air Safety Award for his significant contributions in advancing global aviation safety, specifically in carriage of Dangerous Goods. As the union’s subject matter expert in dangerous goods and hazardous materials, Capt. Schwartz directly influences U.S., Canadian, and international regulations that establish a framework for the safe transportation of dangerous goods by air.
2019 Aviation Security Award
Ali Frohlich
Delta Air Lines
Capt. Ali Frohlich is being honored with the 2019 ALPA Aviation Security Award for his role as ALPA’s Department of Defense and Secret Service liaison. As a member of the Delta MEC, Capt. Frohlich went above and beyond in his efforts to bolster aviation security on behalf of his fellow pilots. Capt. Frohlich has been an incredible advocate and a selfless and dedicated volunteer, protecting and promoting ALPA pilots‘ interests with valuable government partners.
2019 Aviation Jumpseat Award
Joseph Chance
Envoy Air
Capt. Joseph Chance is being honored with the 2019 ALPA Aviation Jumpseat Award for his dedication to maintaining and enhancing Jumpseat etiquette, policy, and procedures. He put in countless hours to ensuring that pilots across the entire industry, including non-ALPA carriers, stay informed on the intricacies of jumpseating.
2019 Pilot Assistance Award
Murray Munro
Jazz Aviation
Capt. Murray Munro is being honored with the 2019 ALPA Pilot Assistance Award for his service to his fellow pilots through Pilot Assistance. For nearly 30 years, Capt. Munro has assisted his fellow pilots in managing various challenges they have encountered in their professional careers. His leadership, dedication, and compassion are evident in all that he has done to support pilots in Canada and around the world.