Aviation Accreditation Board International Announces 2026 Award Recipients

Jacksonville, FL, February 18, 2026 — The Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2026 annual awards, honoring individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to aviation education, accreditation, and professional excellence.

Dr. Terry Kelly | AABI Paul A. Whelan Educator Award

Honoring the legacy of Dr. Paul Whelan, the first Chair of the Council on Aviation Accreditation and founding leader of collegiate aviation accreditation, this award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to AABI and the advancement of aviation education.

AABI proudly presented the 2026 Paul A. Whelan Educator Award to Dr. Terry Kelly, a distinguished scholar and aviation safety expert whose career spans more than three decades has shaped the future of aviation education.

Dr. Kelly served at Parks College and later Saint Louis University, from 1988 until his recent retirement, rising from an assistant professor to full professor and serving as Safety Advisor for the Center for Aviation Science. His teaching, research, and mentorship have influenced generations of aviation professionals, with expertise in aviation maintenance, safety management systems, human factors, organizational safety culture, and non-punitive reporting systems. His scholarship has appeared in Safety Science and has been supported by multiple FAA-funded research initiatives.

A dedicated mentor to undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students, Dr. Kelly's impact is felt throughout industry, academia, and government. His service to AABI has been exceptional, having participated in nearly a dozen accreditation visits, including chairing and serving on numerous international visits. In the past year alone, he has served on four international accreditation visits, bringing thoughtful analysis, cultural awareness, and deep expertise to each engagement.

Mr. Brad Baker | AABI Richard W. Taylor Industry Award

Honoring Richard "Dick" Taylor, the first Boeing-appointed industry representative to the Council on Aviation Accreditation and a pioneering figure in aviation engineering and regulation, this award recognizes individuals who have advanced collegiate aviation through accreditation and industry collaboration.

AABI was proud to present the 2026 Richard W. Taylor Award to Mr. Brad Baker, a visionary entrepreneur and public servant whose strategic leadership and global perspective have made a lasting impact.

Mr. Baker's career spans technology, communications, ocean exploration, and sustainable housing. He served as one of the youngest White House Fellows under President Reagan, as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Treasury, and as a member of the Executive Board of the Resolution Trust Corporation. He has also served as past Chairman of Odyssey Marine Exploration and as Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Mr. Baker has participated in nine AABI accreditation visits and serves on the AABI Board of Trustees, as well as the Criteria Committee, Strategic Planning & Corporate Communications Committee, Audit Committee, and Professional & Ethics Committee. An instrument-rated private pilot and world traveler who has visited more than 160 countries, Mr. Baker brings a truly global perspective to everything he does.

Mr. Ken Carson | AABI Rudy Frasca Award for Professional Excellence

Established in memory of Rudy Frasca, a passionate champion of aviation safety and education, this award recognizes AABI members who have gone above and beyond in the accreditation process, demonstrating professionalism, integrity, and a true passion for aviation education.

AABI proudly bestowed the 2026 Rudy Frasca Award for Professional Excellence upon Mr. Ken Carson, whose distinguished military service and transformative leadership in higher education and accreditation embody the highest ideals of the aviation profession.

Mr. Carson is the retired Director of the University of Oklahoma School of Aviation, where he served for two decades and continues as an adjunct professor. A decorated Air Force veteran with a 23-year career, he commanded peacetime, wartime, and special operations missions in the WC-130 and C-5, accumulating more than 5,000 flight hours as an aircraft commander, instructor, and flight examiner.

Since 2010, Mr. Carson has served on numerous AABI accreditation visits, chairing three, and is a member of the Aviation Innovation Committee and Accreditation Committee, and co-chairs the Safety Committee. Together with Co-chair Randy Babbitt, he established the AABI Safety Share series, a monthly forum bringing together AABI Safety Officers for discussion and collaboration.

His legacy at The University of Oklahoma is honored through the Ken Carson Leadership Program, the School of Aviation's premier leadership development initiative. Since its founding six years ago, more than 85 students have graduated from the program, with 50 students currently engaged annually.

Mr. Jeremy Roesler & Dr. Ken Byrnes | AABI Chairperson Award

AABI was proud to present the 2026 Chairperson’s Award to Mr. Jeremy Roesler and Dr. Ken Byrnes in recognition of their exceptional leadership and dedication in representing collegiate aviation throughout the Federal Aviation Administration's process of modernizing Part 141 regulations.

Jeremy Roesler, Director of Flight Operations for the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences at the University of North Dakota, brings more than two decades of frontline experience to Part 141 operations. His 17-year tenure as UND's Part 141 Chief Flight Instructor, preceded by seven years as Assistant Chief Instructor, gives him an unparalleled understanding of the practical challenges and opportunities within flight training. His international perspective includes a Japanese JCAB commercial pilot certificate and role as a JCAB designated pilot examiner, this has enriched modernization discussions with global best practices.

Dr. Ken Byrnes, Chair of the Flight Department and Assistant Dean at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, brings more than 25 years of Part 141 experience and over two decades of collegiate aviation leadership. His expertise in data-driven decision making, safety management systems, and training modernization has been instrumental in helping the FAA understand how regulatory updates can enhance both safety and efficiency. His extensive collaboration with the FAA, collegiate academic programs, and industry partners has established him as a trusted voice in flight training.

Together, Jeremy and Ken have effectively communicated the unique needs of collegiate aviation programs while working constructively with industry leaders to develop practical, forward-thinking solutions. Their combined expertise in flight operations, safety management, curriculum development, and regulatory compliance has ensured that the voice of collegiate aviation has been heard and respected throughout this critical regulatory evolution.

About AABI

The Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI) is the accrediting organization for collegiate aviation programs. AABI promotes the quality of aviation education through a voluntary peer review process and works to advance the standards, excellence, and global recognition of aviation programs worldwide.

For more information, visit www.aabi.aero.