EAA 1288 is proud to announce that chapter member Steve Borowski, who is the manager of Valkaria Airport, has been chosen as the Florida Department of Transportation's 2008 Aviation Professional Of the Year! This prestigious award recognizes excellence amongst the many folks involved in running Florida's 133 public-use airports. FDOT Secretary Kopelousos made the selection and Bill Ashbaker, State Aviation Manager, presented the award at the receent 2008 Florida Airports Council Conference in Palm Beach.

Steve has been one of the prime supporters of, and a driving force behind, the current renewal of Valkaria Airport and it's aviation community. This includes such vital efforts as the Valkaria Airport Master Plan, the Valkaria Air Fest, and the long-overdue restoration of proper maintenance to the field. Steve has played an integral role in helping to reinvogorate the entire aviation community along the Space Coast in recent years. When he's not running the airport or spending time with his family, Steve finds time to fly in his Kolb Kolbra LSA and participate an active member of EAA Chapter 1288.

Despite ongoing, vicious slanders, lies, threats, and personal attacks upon him by a handful of local anti-airport activists, Steve has persevered to bring Valkaria Airport out of the dark ages and under the thumb of those who want to destroy it, and give control of the field back to the citizens of Brevard County who own it. Just a few years ago, county, state and federal officials considered Valkaria Airport to be a "lost cause"... yet today, it is flourishing -- in no small part due to the efforts of Steve Borowski. We are very pleased that FDOT has fully recognized the extreme challenges that Steve has faced and overcome in accomplishing all that he has done!

Congratulations to Steve for an award that's very much deserved!

Here is the FDOT Press Release:

2008 Aviation Professional of the Year Award
Florida Department of Transportation
July 23, 2008

The Florida Department of Transportation honored Stephen Borowski, manager of Valkaria Airport, with the Aviation Professional of the Year award today. Each year, the department presents the award to an aviation professional who has achieved outstanding airport management accomplishments and contributions to the Florida aviation community.

Valkaria Airport has been at the center of sharp debate among aviation stakeholders and local residents for many, many years. During that time, the airport facilities deteriorated and the focus on providing services to the aviation community was lost. Since Mr. Borowski's arrival as airport manager, he has accomplished what many thought was impossible. He rallied support of local airport tenants and users, defused misinformation, established a plan for the airport's development with unprecedented community involvement, and worked with the FDOT and FAA to initiate projects in the plan. He made Valkaria Airport a community destination, while giving of himself to train young student interns to be future aviation professionals.

While community opposition still remains, many in the community have developed a better understanding of the airport and its role as well as the limits of its true impact on the surrounding community.

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Steve, his son Matthew, and wife Kamila psoe on the Valkaria Airport float in the December 2007 Melbourne Light Parade.