The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) presented its Silk Scarf Award to U.S. Representative Sam Graves and its Pillar of the Association Award to former executive Doug Carr during NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas. Graves received the award at the convention’s Newsmakers Luncheon on 19 October, while Carr was honoured on 21 October during the Military Connect programme. The presentations recognised Graves’s legislative advocacy and Carr’s 28 years of service to the association.
NBAA cited Graves’s work on the 2024 FAA reauthorization, his role in establishing the House General Aviation Caucus, and his efforts on air traffic control funding and aviation safety legislation. The Missouri Republican has advocated for general and business aviation during his time in Congress.
Carr retired in August, most recently serving as NBAA senior vice-president for safety, security, sustainability and international operations. His work during nearly three decades at the association covered safety and security, international operations, flight-and-rest requirements, fractional-ownership rules and safety management standards. He also contributed to the International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) programme and efforts to restore general aviation access to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.