LEESBURG, Va., Nov. 20, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — ProJet Aviation hosted the 13th annual Aviation Education & Career Expo at the Leesburg Executive Airport. More than 700 students, educators, and parents attended the Expo, which is designed to educate young adults (ages 16-22) about exciting careers in aviation and aerospace. The event featured keynote speakers, live demonstrations, and static displays with representatives from over 70 aviation organizations, including the US military, emergency medical airlift, law enforcement, maintenance/avionics repair, government agencies, private aviation, and more. “The theme for this year’s event was – Destiny,” said ProJet Aviation’s Julie O’Brien, Co-founder of the event. “We work with our sponsors to provide experiences, mentoring, and scholarships that inspire students to discover and pursue their passion.”

The Aviation Education and Career Expo is a unique opportunity for students interested in the aviation/aerospace industry to explore numerous career paths and talk one-on-one with industry experts. Students get an “up close and personal” look at occupations that are in high demand in the United States and worldwide.

Guest speakers and demonstrators included:

• Michael Rutledge, Former Navy SEAL, Army Special Ops Aviator, and commanding officer at West Point
• Heidi Kemner, Embry Riddle graduate, and NTSB Accident Investigator
• The US Air Force Honor Guard Drill Team
• K-9 Demonstration by Metro Washington Airport Authority
• Drone Demonstration by V1 Aeronautics
• National Agricultural Aviation Aerial Demonstration by Allen Chorman & Son
• 2nd Aviation Detachment Helicopter & Parachute Team, West Point Military Academy

2018 scholarship winners:

• Elena-Marie Weissenboeck $500 Award from Sugarloaf 99’s
• Madisen Garnes $1,000 Award from Paragon Aviation Group
• Calle Junker $1,000 Award from Eastern Aviation Fuels
• Ryan Walker $1,000 Award from JetLinx Charter Company
• Laura Palmer $1,000 Award from Toth Financial Services
• Mustafa Ali $1,000 Award from Avemco Insurance
• Cassandra Rae Hoffman $1,500 Award from Mosaix Software/Avman
• Simon Kadel $2,000 Award from The Aviation Foundation and Sharp Details
• Jacob McIntosh $2,250 from Paragon Aviation Detailing
• Sarah Morgan $3,500 Award from ProJet Aviation, AOPA, Hoxton Agency, and Paramount Business Jets
• Brady Reisch $5,000 Award from Greater Washington Business Aviation Association
• Gannon Sudweeks $500 Award from Middle Tennessee State University
• Dylan Massey $1,000 Award from Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
• Andrew Reed $1,500 Award from Air Culinaire Worldwide
• Tucker Benton $2,000 Award from University of Maryland-Eastern Shore
• Nathan Nardini $2,500 Award from Aviation Institute of Maintenance
• Rachel Allen $2,500 Award from Aviation Institute of Maintenance
• Ashton Neff $10,000 Award from Kansas State University Polytechnic/Aerospace Campus
• Caleb Mindte $10,000 Award from Kansas State University Polytechnic/Aerospace Campus
• Kayla Coffman $11,500 Award from Western Michigan University
• Sonia Jethwani $15,000 from Averett University
• Wyatt Beane $20,000 from Southern Utah University
• Andrew Maggs $20,000 from Marywood University
• Brian McGiffin $20,000 from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
• Alex Tendler $20,000 from Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
• Richmond Forsen $20,000 from Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
• Brian Wade $16,980 from Regent University
• Nate Smith $16,980 from Regent University
• Eleanor Knudson $16,980 from Regent University
• Conor McHugh $16,980 from Regent University
• Kyra Padam $16,980 from Regent University
• Abigail Ward $16,980 from Regent University
• Jackson Larimore $16,980 from Regent University
• Grace Neff $16,980 from Regent University
• Matthew Cortines $16,980 from Regent University
• Charlie Giglio $16,980 from Regent University
• Jessica Twilley $33,960 from Regent University

In addition to the monetary and school-specific aviation awards, American Aviation/Helicopters, Aviation Adventures, Av-Ed Flight Training, Bravo Flight Training, Frederick Flight Training/Advanced Helicopter Concepts, and Open Air Flight Training, provided on-the-spot flight training scholarships, and Kim Cortines of Oak Hill High School, was recognized as the 2018 Teacher of the Year.

About The Aviation Education & Career Expo
The Aviation Education & Career Expo is one of the largest and most successful aviation education events in the United States, awarding hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships to high school and college students pursuing careers in the aviation and aerospace industry, since its inception in 2005. Over 700 students will attend this year. The event features keynote presentations by industry leaders, static and live aviation demonstrations, and scholarship awards from universities, small businesses, and corporate sponsors. Cofounded by aviation professionals Julie O’Brien and Sarah Thompson, the Expo is committed to helping students explore the many career opportunities available to them through the world of flight. The Aviation Education & Career Expo is hosted by ProJet Aviation at Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO), in Leesburg, VA.

About ProJet Aviation
ProJet Aviation is the DC metro region’s premier aviation hospitality company, dedicated to helping people accomplish extraordinary things through the wonder of flight. The company operates ProJet Center, a Fixed Base Operation (FBO), at Leesburg Executive Airport (KJYO), general aviation’s gateway to Washington DC, Dulles, and Virginia’s Horse & Wine Country. Established in 2007 as a partnership between former airline pilot, educator, and entrepreneur Shye Gilad, and noted entrepreneur and philanthropist Sheila C. Johnson, Founder & CEO of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, ProJet Aviation combines the operational integrity of the world’s best airlines with the refined service of a world-class resort. ProJet’s numerous accolades include recognition as a Washington Business Journal Best Place to Work, Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce Service Business of the Year.

SOURCE ProJet Aviation