The NBAA has presented retiring Aviation Directors Roundtable chair Terry Yaddow and Maria Sheridan, manager of Teterboro airport, with its prestigious Silk Scarf Award; Yaddow for his decades of work in the business aviation industry, including work on multiple NBAA committees, and Sheridan for her contributions to business aviation over her 30-plus year career in airport management. She is retiring on 10 January, 2024.

"Terry has dedicated his career to making business aviation better," says NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. "We thank him for his numerous contributions to the industry and I'm honoured to present him with NBAA's Silk Scarf Award."

Yaddow has more than 30 years of successful experience in business aviation, with more than 20 years in various levels of management, as aviation director for Xerox Corporation's flight department and director of training for Bombardier Business Aircraft Division in Montreal. In addition to his work with NBAA, Yaddaw worked in various capacities with the Flight Safety Foundation. His pilot experience includes 19,000 hours with seven type ratings in business jet aircraft.

While at Xerox, he implemented a 'self-managed work team' within maintenance operations. This was the first attempt at this type of approach within a corporate maintenance department, and it became a benchmark throughout the industry.

He acquired and placed into service the first corporate regional jet in a 30 seat configuration for shuttle operations. Under his leadership, Xerox achieved the highly acclaimed Baldridge Award, and the corporate flight department scored the highest quality service of all 14 departments in the division.

Management accomplishments with Bombardier Business Aircraft Training include complete startup of the organisation with development of the organisation structure. He was responsible for installation of full-flight simulators and full certification of the FAA-approved training programmes.

Sheridan received her award from NBAA director, airports and ground infrastructure Alex Gertsen, CAM, and NBAA northeast regional director Brittany Davies, who both praised her for her guidance, dedication to business aviation and her friendship. Gertsen notes Sheridan's leadership was crucial in guiding Teterboro through the pandemic, and adds: "Her dedication and support is unprecedented."

Prior to joining the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey to run the airport, she spent 27 years in airport management at Morristown airport, where she rose through the ranks to the position of senior director of government affairs and business development.

Sheridan has long been a supporter of NBAA and was instrumental in Morristown exhibiting at many of the association's events over the years.

Sheridan attained accreditation through the American Association of Airport Executives and, in 2015, she joined the executive board of its Northeast Chapter. She was named president of the chapter in 2018 and recently completed a two year term representing the Northeast Chapter on the board of directors of AAAE.

In addition, she was chair of the Morris County Economic Development Corporation, a member and former chair of the Hanover Township Economic Development Advisory Committee and a director on the Board of Avenues in Motion (formerly TransOptions). In 2017, Sheridan was named one of the Best 50 Women in Business by NJBIZ.

In an effort to honour outstanding business aviation community members and inspire future aviators, the NBAA Silk Scarf Award is given to individuals for special contributions to the business aviation community during their careers.