PAST AWARDS
🏆 JEFF PACE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
2025 – Leroy Blizzard
2024 – Art and Bill “Billy” Schai
2023 – Gene Gottlieb
2022 – Carl Johnson
2021 – Frank Cassandra
2020 – Gayle Gorman Green
2020 – Jeff Pace Award Established
2008 – Seward E. Ford
2007 – William (Bill) D. Schai (Distinguished Service)
CONFERENCE PRESENTATION AWARDS
🏆 BEST PAPER
2025 – “Designing for Maintenance” by Dennis Deering, Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
2024 – “The New 4th Parallel Runway” by Richard Walls and Jerome Howell (Walls Engineering), Conor Beers (Jacobs Engineering), Matt Szabo (Aviation Alliance), Matt Cowden (Charlotte Douglas International Airport)
2023 – “Working with FAA Reimbursable Agreements” by Aaron Geary of DACO Construction Inc.
2022 – “Turku Airport Sustainability in Lighting Equipment Reuse” by Otto Vainio
2021 – COVID
2020 – COVID
2019 – “Apron Floodlighting” by Mai Yeung
2018 – “NVG LED Study” by Richard Jones, P.Eng.
Department of National Defense / Canada
2017 – “Advancements in LED Technology and Applications” by Morgan Pattison, PhD, LC, DOE SSL Program
2016 – “Contactless Energy and Data Distribution” by Paul Thellier/TKH and Hans van der Kuil/TKH
2015 – “Apron Lighting Playbook: A Guide For Converting To LED” by Corey Stutz, ADB Airfield Solutions
2014 – “LED Approach Sequenced Strobe Lights-Improved Usability by Taking Advantage of LED Characteristics” by Helmut Hengvoss, Lucebit – ADB Group
2013 – “Port Columbus International Airport, Runway 10R/28L Replacement” by Tim Mentel: Columbus Regional Airport Authority;
Jess Howard Electric, Mel Haywood; Geoff Kouril, P.E., CH2M Hill, Inc.;
Pete Butler, P.E., CH2M Hill, Inc.
2012 – “Trends In LED Lighting” by J. Chad Stalker III, LC/Philips Lumileds
2011 – “Latest Developments in the Application of White Runway LED’s on Airfields” by Ed Runyon/ADB Airfield Solutions
2010 LEAN – “Infrared Sources for Airfield LED Lamps” by Edward Carome, Ph.D., Lighting Innovations Corporation
2010 – “DC Powered LED Taxiway Centerline Lighting System: A Case Study” by Jeff Pace, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA), Carl S. Johnson II, AVCON, Inc. Frank Barczak, Electrical Systems
2009 LEAN – “Reevaluating the Chromaticity Boundaries for Aviation White Light” by Andrew Bierman, Lighting Research Center, RPI
2009 – “Photometric Performance of Airfield Guidance Signs Under Real Field Conditions: Lessons Learned” by Doron Lean, Lean Photometrics Inc.
2008 – “Future prospect of LED lighting – AGL approach?” by Ola Hakansson, Safegate Int’l AB
2007 LEAN – “Infrared sources for LED type approach lighting systems” by Edward F. Carome, Ph.D, Lighting Innovation Corp.
2007 – “Hi-Tech…It’s not just for hubs anymore,” Cory Stutz, Siemens Airfield Solutions
2006 LEAN – “Effects of Installation Tolerances on Pilot’s Perception of Photometrics” by Doron Lean
2006 – “Advances in LED Technology” by Ed Runyon
HONORABLE MENTION
2025 – “LAHSO Replacement Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)” by John Wujek and Ryan Wright, Kimley-Horn
2024 – “Runaway Train” by Carl Johnson (Avcon, Inc.)
2023 – “New Apron Lighting Guidelines with Existing Infrastructure” by Brad Schlesselman of Musco Lighting
2022 – “Airport Lighting Impacts on Airport Lighting Environment” by Brad Schlesselman
2021 – COVID
2020 – COVID
2019 (TIE) – “Chicago O’Hare International Airport – Central Deicing Facility Design and Construction” by Gene Gottlieb, Carl Johnson, and Anees Rahman
2019 (TIE) – “LAX – Taxiway C-14 and Vault Relocation” by Craig Twibell and Jeff Anderson
2018 – “Page Field – Runway 5-23 Rehabilitation” by Carl S. Johnson, II, AVCON, INC.
2017 – “Fact Checking-Lightning Protection of Airfield Lighting Systems” by Carl Johnson II, ACE
AVCON, INC.
2016 – “LED Based AFL; Live Long and Prosper” by Sarah Bergstein/ADB Safegate
2015 – “In Pavement Bolts – Analysis” by Julia H. Grogan, LPI, Inc.
2014 – “How is the Operational Failure of LED Fixtures Identified?” by Nadarajah Narendran, Ph.D, Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
2013 – “The Good, The Vault and The Ugly, a presentation on the evolution of an Airfield Electrical Vault” by Carl S. Johnson II, AVCON, Inc.
2012 – “Runway Safety Area Program at San Francisco International Airport” by Doron Lean/Lean Photometrics
2011 – “Challenges Meeting Aviation Color Requirements when using LED Light Sources” by Adam Willsey and Dave DeSalle/Kopp Glass, Inc.
2010 – “Bright, Chromatic and Distinct-Preception and Detection of LED-Based Airfield Lighting” by Sara Bergsten, Ph.D., Safegate International
2009 – “Evaluation of Airfield Alternative Lighting Infrastructures” by Jess Nadel, Consultant Services International, Inc.
2008 – “History of Airfield Lighting” by David N. Rainey, Navaid Lighting Assoc., Inc.
2007 – “LED system test matching linear steps – Regulators to Fixtures” by Leroy Blizzard and Richard Farmer, Manairco, Inc., ATG
2006 – “Effects of Installation Tolerances on Pilot’s Perception of Photometrics” by Doron Lean
AIRFIELD LIGHTING PROJECT AWARDS
Small General Aviation
(Non-Part 139)
🏆
2025 – Lake County Executive Airport (LNN)(Willoughby, OH), Lighting Modernization, Designer: Joshua Hebb, Michael Baker International
2024 – McKinney National Airport (TKI) Runway Extension
Matthew LeMay, Eric Farmer, Rene Hernandez, Vladimir Stevanovic – Garver
2023 – City of Mansfield, Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport (MFD)
for KMFD Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport Apron A and Taxilane Reconstruction
General Contractor: Shelly & Sands, Inc.
Consulting Engineers: CHA Consulting, Inc.
Lighting Electrical Contractor: Jess Howard Electric Company
2019 – Arkansas International Airport, Blytheville, AR (BYH)
“LED High Intensity Runway Lighting Project”
Owner: Blytheville-Gosnell Regional Airport Authority
Nominated by: Eric Farmer
Designer: Garver
2018 – Page Field, Ft. Myers, FL (FMY) – Runway 5-23 Rehabilitation, Owner: Lee County Airport Authority
2016 Winner – Iuka Airport, Iuka, MS (15M)
Premium Lighting with Minimum Funding
Owner: Tishomingo County
Designer: Tommy Dean, P.E.
Nominated by: Jerry Wilemon, Q-1 Professional Services
2016 Honorable Mention – George T. Lewis Airport, Cedar Key, FL (CDK) Airfield Lighting
Owner: Levy County Commissioners
Designed by: Don Ramdass/Passero Associates
2012 – False River Regional Airport (HZR) Implementation of a Solar Powered Airfield Lighting Circuit
Owner: False River Regional Airport Authority
City of New Roads-Parish of Pointe Coupee
Lighting Designer: Allen Taylor, LA DOTD
2011 – Wayne County Airport Authority (WCAA), Wooster, Ohio
“Rehabilitation of Runway 10-28 Lighting Project”
Designers: Delta Airport Consultants Steven A. Potoczak, Project Engineer
2008 – Tappahannock Essex County Airport (XSA), Designers: John E. Joyner, P.E. & Adam Switzer, P.E. Delta Airport Consultants
2007 – Greenwood Municipal Airport, Greenwood, IN (HFY) – Designer: RW Armstrong
Commercial Air Carrier
(Part 139)
🏆
2025 – Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), RW 1-19 and 15-33 Rehabilitation, Designer: David Burgess, PhD, PE, RDM International, Inc.
2024 – Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) for South Crossfield Taxiway Project
Owner Representatives: Ashton Watson, Matt Cowden, Orlando Barrow
Designers: Richard Walls, Jerome Howell (Walls Engineering)
2023 – Kansas City International Airport (MCI) Kansas City, MO
for New Single Terminal at MCI Innovation Ramp Control Lighting
Owner: Kansas City Aviation Department
Designers: Eric Farmer, Aviation Quality Manager, Garver
Bart Gilbreath, Senior Project Manager, Garver
2017 – Calgary International Airport (YYC) Terminal Lighting Design
Owner: Calgary Airport Authority, Calgary, AB, Canada
Designer: AECOM
2016 – Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)
Commitment to Energy Efficient with Lighting Improvements
Owner: Richland-Lexington Airport District
Designer(s): The Ohmega Group / Hartranft Lighting Design
2014 – Orlando International Airport, Orlando, FL (MCO) BP-434, Rehabilitation of Runway 18R-36L and Related Work
Airfield Electrical Supervisor: Jeff Pace Designers: Carl S. Johnson II, AVCON, Inc., Mark A. Goodacre, AVCON, Inc.
2013 – Thurgood Marshall International Airport (BWI) RSA, PMP & Standards Compliance Program. Designers:
Alan Peljovich, P.E.; JMT, Ken Lepera, URS Corporation
2012 – Wicomico County / Salisbury Regional Airport, Salisbury, MD (SBY) Rehabilitation and Extension of Runway 14-32
Designer: Delta Airport Consultants / Marshall Eichfield, Program Manager
2011 – RDU Airport Lighting Maintenance Seminar, Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
2010 – Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GAAO) BP-352 Rehabilitation of Taxiways E and F and Associated Connectors at Orlando Int’l Airport, Orlando, Florida (MCO)
GOAA Electrical Systems Manager: Frank Barczak
Lighting Designers: Carl S. Johnson II & Agnel Cheruvathoor AVCON, Inc.
2006 – Baltimore/Washington Int’l Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Owner: Maryland Aviation Administration (MAA). Designers:
Ebrahim Neman and Michael Meyers, URS Corporation
Military
🏆
2025 – Martin State Airport (MTN), Runway 15-33 Rehabilitation for Maryland Aviation Administration, Designer: Joshua Hebb, Michael Baker International
2024 – Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM) Runway 26 Extension
Dakota Ellis, Bart Gilbreath, Quinton Smith, Cade Blair, Kushalta Paudel, Taylor Pennington, Jared Parr – Garver
2023 – USMC Marine Wing Supports Squadron 371
Aviation Ground Support Detachment for
Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms
Sustainment Lighting Systems Project
Designers: Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division
Lakehurst, NJ
2022 – MCAS New River Project, Jacksonville, NC. Designers: AVCON
2019 – Scott Air Force Base (BLV) “Repair of Airfield Lighting and Vault Project”
Owner: US Air Force
Nominated by: Asad Bajwa
Designer: CMT
2017 – Lask Air Force Base, Lask, Poland Runway 28 Extension Project
Owner: U.S. Army Corp of Engineers & Ministry of Defense, Republic of Poland
Designer(s): Ken Lepera and Jaromir Czerniak, AECOM, John Gregory, USACE
2014 – United States Navy (NAVFAC Southeast) Naval Air Station Whiting Field, Milton, FL (NSE) Repair Airfield Lighting at North and South Fields, Designers: Carl S. Johnson II, AVCON, Inc. Mark A. Goodacre, AVCON, Inc.