FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 23, 2014
Contacts:
Devin Osting (AAAA): (202) 223-9523
The Alliance Mourns the Loss of Henry Ogrodzinski of NASAO
Washington, DC— Henry Ogrodzinski, President & CEO of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO), passed away last night in his home on Capitol Hill. Henry O., as friends and colleagues knew him, made a tremendous impact on the aviation industry throughout his illustrious career. He was 65.
“Henry was a close friend and mentor, and I have been privileged to know him for over seven years. He had a rare enthusiasm for life that made him a pleasure to be around,” said Selena Shilad, Executive Director of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. “At this time, our thoughts are with his wife, Ellen, and his entire family.”
As a founding board member of the Alliance, he was instrumental to educating the public about the immense value of general aviation. In 2012, he received NAA’s Distinguished Statesman of Aviation Award, and the Texas Department of Transportation’s Career Contribution in Aviation award. He was given the Lifetime Achievement Award by the New York Aviation Management Association in 2013.
In his 18 years as President & CEO of NASAO, Henry also served on the boards of the National Aeronautic Association, the Aero Club of Washington, the Airport Cooperative Research Program, the Board of Nominations for the National Aviation Hall of Fame and the Selection Committee for the annual Collier Trophy. Prior to NASAO, Henry worked in senior positions at the Experimental Aircraft Association, the General Aviation Manufacturers Association, and Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah. He was also President of the United States Air & Trade Show in Dayton.
Henry graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. He is survived by his wife Ellen Barrett, his brother Zenith, his sister Gloria Jenders, and his six nieces and three nephews.
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 6,300 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups, FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interest of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.
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