Avionics News April 2015 - 89

Past Recipients of
the AEA Lifetime
Achievement Award:
2013
Dan Derby
Atlantic Aero

2012
Paul Ryan

Ryan International

2011
Ron Hall

Duncan Aviation

2010
Dan Walker

King Radio Corp.

2009
Robert Carpenter

Owner, Carpenter Avionics

2008
Tom Sternig

President, Aircraft Electronics Ltd.

Paul Brenner

President, Flight Components

Bruce Baxter

Partner, Chapman Avionics

2007
Monte Mitchell

Past President, AEA

2006
John Winter

Founder, Mid-Continent
Instruments Co.

2005
Jack Grose

President, Navair Ltd.

2004
Gary Burrell

Co-Founder, Garmin International

2003
George Lewison

Aviation Engineer, Author

2002
Edward King Jr.

Founder, King Radio Corp.

2001
Robert Kauffman
Founder, Electrosonics

Gary Kelley to receive AEA
Lifetime Achievement Award

ary Kelley will be presented with the
2015 Aircraft Electronics Association
Lifetime Achievement Award, the
highest honor bestowed upon an individual
by the AEA's board of directors, during the
opening session of the 58th annual AEA
International Convention & Trade Show on
Wednesday, April 8, at Marriott's Gaylord
Texan Resort and Convention Center in
Dallas, Texas.
Kelley will be recognized by the AEA
board of directors for his countless hours of
volunteerism for the association, including
his service as a board member and his leadership on the AEA's Future Studies Report,
a strategic plan developed in the mid-1990s.
Kelley retired from Garmin International in
December 2011 as vice president of marketing, where he led Garmin's aviation, marine,
outdoor fitness and automotive divisions. He
joined Garmin in 1992 as director of marketing, during which time he oversaw the development of Garmin's global marketing, sales,
support and advertising strategies in the early
days of the company. He also served as director of Garmin Europe from 1993 to 2004.
Under his executive leadership, Garmin
was named the AEA Associate Member of
the Year on three occasions: 1994; 2000;
and 2011.
From 1972-92, Kelley worked for the
general aviation avionics division of Allied
Signal/BendixKing, where he served as
director of marketing administration.
In addition to his service on the AEA
board of directors, he also served as a
board member for the General Aviation
Manufacturers Association and the National
Business Aviation Association.

"Gary Kelley was instrumental in the early
formation of Garmin's sales and marketing
efforts around the world, and he was a passionate leader for the general aviation industry as a whole," said Paula Derks, AEA president. "He helped develop Garmin's aviation
business segment, including the introduction
of products such as the GNS 430 and 530,
and the G1000 integrated cockpit system. A
true industry visionary, he also helped bring
Garmin avionics into larger, Part 25 aircraft.
This award is truly deserved, and on behalf
of the AEA board of directors, I offer my
heartfelt thanks for his many years of service
to the AEA and the general aviation electronics industry."
Kelley earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Baker University.
He also owns a commercial pilot license,
and instrument and flight instructor ratings.
A lifelong resident of the Kansas City area,
he and his wife, Pamela, have three children:
Sean, Shannon and Brian. q
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Avionics News April 2015

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