2026 Operator of the Year Award

Submission Deadline:  April 10, 2026
 
Click Here to Submit!

Award Details

 

 Recipients will be chosen on the basis of the following points of interest:

  • Years of experience
  • Skills
  • Training
  • Types of equipment operated
  • Shift/hours worked
  • Leadership attributes
  • Education/technical knowledge
  • Unique situation(s)/event(s) during the 2025-26 season
  • Any other relevant information

Each airport attending the Snow Symposium is asked to nominate one equipment operator from their airport. A committee of four members of the Advisory Board of the SnoPo will review applications prior to the event. Scores will be given to each nominee, weighing each point of interest separately. Nominees receive a discounted rate to SnoPo, and are encouraged to attend. A plaque will be awarded to the operator who best reflects the spirit of Operator of the Year.

One winner will be chosen from each of the following categories of airport:
Large: Over 200,000 scheduled operations annually
Medium: 100,000 – 200,000 scheduled operations annually
Small: Less than 100,000 scheduled operations annually
Military

Airports with winning operators will receive, in their honor, one free admission to next year’s SnoPo

*No member of the voting committee will be permitted to vote on any individual with whom they either work, or have an affiliation with.

 

Award Archive:

 

2025:

 

  • Small Airports Category - Ben Jachim, Grand Rapids and Tom Locurto Niagara Airport
  • Medium Airports Category – Tony Paclovich, Pittsburgh International Airport
  • International Airport - Tyler Philippe, Ottawa International Airport
  • Military Airport - Malik Hart, Eileson Air Force Base

 

2024:

 

  • Small Airports Category - Matt Humphreys, Roanoke Airport
  • Medium Airports Category – Gary Radford, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport

 

2023:

  • Small Airports Category - Mike Moore, Rickenbacker International Airport
  • Medium Airports Category – Michael Schiller (BUF)
  • Military Category - Kristopher Jones, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

 

2022:

  • Small Airports Category - Mark Pickens (SBN)
  • Medium Airports Category – Sam Nevilles (BUF)
  • Large Airports Category – Cody Wasson (BOS)
  • Military Category - Jonathan Beaty (Vermont ANG at BTV)

 

 

 



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