Mike Russo, take 2
Not long after we published the interview with Mike Russo in the “Interesting people, unusual flight plans” series, Mike was presented with a 2010 Volare Special Award by the Airlines Avionics Institute (AAI) at the 2010 AMC/AEEC.
Each year, AAI encourages the contribution of ideas, leadership and innovation by allowing individuals to be nominated for Volare Awards prior to the annual AMC. These awards recognize individuals in airline and supplier organizations for outstanding personal achievement. The criteria for nomination are:
The candidate should be well known within the industry and should have a history of actual industry improvement and/or active involvement in a recognizable category such as but not limited to the following examples:
a) New products
b) Better methodologies
c) Working in various technical committees
d) New technologies
e) Be the industry “go to” person for particular products or services
f) Have a history of outstanding service to their customers
g) Have personally served our industry in some contributing capacity for example by active involvement in its organizations, activities and/or functions
The AAI process requires that the nomination be seconded before it is considered by their awards committee.
The Volare Award has become world-renowned as the avionics industry’s highest recognition for individual achievement. The Awards offered at the AMC allow individuals to be nominated in the categories of Airline Avionics Maintenance and Avionics Product Support. In addition, AAI presents a Pioneer Award and a Chairman’s Special Award on an as deserved basis.
Over the past 41 years, Volare Awards have been presented to outstanding members of the avionics maintenance community and it is with pleasure that we at Roger-Wilco announce that Mike has now joined their ranks.
Mike, did you know in advance that you would get a Volare Special Award or was it a total surprise?
As a member of the ARINC IA Staff, I was in a unique position to see the progress of the Volare nominations. Before my retirmenent, I learned that my mentor and colleague, Roy Oishi, had been nominated to be honored with a 2010 Volare award. Roy is an outstanding engineer who has contributed greatly to the new structure of AEEC and deserves the award, but I have to admit that I felt a twinge of envy. Shortly thereafter, a few friends asked me some pointed questions about my own career which led me to hope that I would also be nominated. This left me somewhat conflicted however, because I did not anticipate that two special awards would be given in the same year to individuals from the same organization.
It must have been a bit like the Oscar announcements… what did you feel when your name was called?
I attended the meeting to say my final goodbyes to many friends. During the awards ceremony, Roy’s award was announced, confirming my expectation. I was happy for him. But, would I also be honored I wondered? It was with great relief and joy that I herd my name also being announced – there would be two recipients in 2010. Since its inception, there are under 200 recipients of the Volare award in the entire industry. Being inducted into such refined airspace leaves one a little breathless. I did not have an acceptance speech prepared. I am not sure even today what I said in my acceptance.
What does this special recognition mean to you?
Recognition is a two edged sword. Every time someone is recognized, there are even more deserving people that are overlooked. Being a member of the ARINC IA staff with the bully pulpit of visibility (mass e-mail to subcommittee members and monthly IA mailings etc.) gives our group an edge. I am sure that ARINC IA has more Volare award winners per capita than any other organization. In spite of this leverage, from a personal viewpoint I will cherish the award as validation that my work was of merit to the air transport industry. The award hangs on my wall in a prominent place in my study. And, while I have the award, it truly reflects the enablers that make AEEC avionics standards possible: the energy, talent, creativeness, and cooperation of hundreds of avionics technical people that constitute the AEEC subcommittees and, of course, the AEEC members themselves.
Do you know others who have also been honored by a Volare Award?
Since I have attended AEEC General Sessions since 1984 and a number of AMCs as well, I have seen many Volare presentations. I am aquainted with several of the Volare award winners, some of whom I have worked with directly in my service as secretariat to various AEEC subcommittees. Naming them would be folly because I would inevitably leave some out. Let me just say that the value of recognition should not be underestimated. Reflecting back on my comment about deserving contributors being overlooked, I encourage your readers to visit the AAI website and nominate a worthy candidate for the 2011 awards.
Many thanks for sharing this great news with us and we wish you all the best and many happy years in retirement.
