Officials with the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association announced the recipients of this year’s awards during the OAOA’s 2009 conference that was held recently on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater.

The theme for this year’s conference was “Silver Celebration” in recognition of the OAOA’s 25th birthday.

“OAOA is fortunate to have such strong support from airports, sponsors and exhibitors. We are very glad that we can give awards to all these deserving organizations and individuals,” said Jim Thrash, operations manager for Oklahoma City’s Will Rogers World Airport and OAOA president for 2008-09.

Ada Municipal Airport was named the 2008-2009 “Airport of the Year,” while its manager, Terry Hall, received the “Airport Manager of the Year” award. Both awards were selected by past OAOA presidents based, in large part, on the obstacles the airport has had to overcome and recent capital improvements.

Former NASA astronaut and Wetumka, native John Herrington received the inaugural Heritage Award for his outstanding contributions to the aeronautics industry. Leo Murphree Jr., president of Electrical Construction Specialists in Greenwood, Miss., was presented with the Pioneer Award for his long-time service to the OAOA. And the Worx Co. of Oklahoma City was recognized as “Corporate Champ” for its assistance in redesigning the OAOA Web site to be more user friendly for OAOA administrators and OAOA members alike.

Letters of Commendation were presented to the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, Oklahoma City Department of Airports and the Tulsa Airport Authority in appreciation for their support of the OAOA during its 25-year history.

OAOA Executive Director Pam Lankford and Stillwater Regional Airport Manager Gary Johnson received the President’s Award for outstanding service to the OAOA during the past year. And Thrash was presented with an award of appreciation for his hard work as OAOA president during 2008-09.