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Nick Carlucci named winner of AOPA’s Laurence P. Sharples Perpetual Award

Palm Springs, CA – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has named Nicholas F. Carlucci, Jr., the 2012 winner of the prestigious Laurence P. Sharples Perpetual Award – one of AOPA’s two highest honors.  

A past president of the Venice Aviation Society, Inc. (VASI) at Florida’s Venice Municipal Airport (VNC), Nick Carlucci has been recognized for his work on securing the longevity of the airport through informing elected officials, welcoming the general public to the airport to demonstrate its importance, and effectively using the local media and internet to showcase the airport’s contribution to the community.

In a letter to Carlucci, AOPA President and CEO Craig Fuller stated, “Your leadership and tenacity in advocating for the airport, your tireless efforts at telling VNC’s story to the local and national public, and your strong commitment to providing opportunities to engage young people were critical factors for AOPA’s Board of Trustees in making this award.”

Carlucci epitomizes the individual AOPA seeks for the Sharples Award, which recognizes those in the private sector whose life’s work is outside the industry but whose contributions to general aviation are extraordinary, as were L.P. Sharples, the award’s namesake, one of AOPA’s founding fathers, and the first chairman of the board.  Notable former award winners are Cliff Robertson, actor and pilot (1981); Richard Witkin, The New York Times (1987); and Walt Fricke, Veterans Airlift Command (2009).

- AOPA –

12-S-007                 

October 11, 2012