Ivan D. Livi Aviation Maintenance Educator of the Year Award
In Memoriam: Mr. Ivan Livi (1920-2015) was one of the council's founding fathers and provided leadership to our organization for more than fifty years. His passion for guiding aviation and maintenance students was infectious and he loved his role on the Northrop Rice Foundation, which gave him a venue to provide scholarships for young men and women to attend our member institutions. Ivan laid the foundation for ATEC to grow and develop into what it is today. His life - spanning nine decades - is a testament to what can be achieved through dedication, hard work and a commitment to serving others. The council seeks to honor Mr. Livi's legacy through the Ivan D. Livi Educator of the Year Award.
Purpose: This award recognizes the outstanding achievement of an aviation maintenance technology instructor. This achievement can be in the form of a single event or long term outstanding performance but must have had a direct impact on the Aviation Maintenance student. A selection committee made up of ATEC member representatives selects award winners, which are recognized at the ATEC Conference.
Past recipients:
2025: Omar Aquilera, California Aeronautical University
2024: Mark Thom, Purdue University
2023: Richard Johnson, Liberty University
2022: Brad McDonald, Federal Aerospace Institute
2021: Steven Locklear, Kansas State University Polytechnic
2020: Albert Simon, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
2019: Galen Wilson, Westfield Technical Academy
2017: Andrew Smith, Kansas State University Polytechnic
2016: Mark Peeples, Wayne Community College
2015: Nancy Jones, Aviation Institute of Maintenance
2014: Michael Smith, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics – Myrtle Beach Campus
2013: Fred Dyen, Blue Ridge Community College
2012: Jaime Horning, Salt Lake Community College
2011: Neal Perkins, Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology
2009: Michael Westenkirchner, Hallmark College of Aeronautics
2007: Ronald Sterkenburg, Purdue University
2006: Jerome Bradley, Central Campus, Des Moines Public Schools
2005: Robert Takacs, Reedley College
2004: David Stanley, Purdue University
2003: Fred Schneeberger, St. Louis University
2002: Joseph McCourt, Chandler-Gilbert Community College
2001: James Rhonemus, Clover Park Technical College
2000: William Watkins, Purdue University
1999: Brian Allen, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics / United Technical Center
1998: William Hopper, Parks College
1997: Lucas Martinez, Colorado Aero Tech
1996: John Scheulen, Linn State Technical College
1995: Charles Rodriguez, Southern Illinois University
1994: Darrell Downing, Parks College
1993: Raymond Thompson, Purdue University
1992: Michael Williams, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1991: Roger Carr, LeTourneau University
1990: Tim VanLoon, Winona Technical College