WASHINGTON, D.C., April 5, 2012 -- Each year during the Aircraft Electronics Association International Convention & Trade Show, two prestigious awards are presented at the AEA Annual Awards Luncheon: the AEA Member of the Year, which honors an individual from an AEA regular member company; and the AEA Associate Member of the Year, which honors a company that is an AEA associate member.

Two nominating committees - comprised of AEA member representatives, including the previous year's winners - were created to prepare a slate of nominees for the annual awards. Once the slate of nominees was assembled for both awards, it was sent to the full AEA membership for a vote. The winners of each award are recognized by their peers for their service and participation in the industry and in the Association.

The 2012 winners were announced on April 5 at the AEA Annual Awards Luncheon. The honorees are: Jim Joubert of Pacific Southwest Instruments, who was named the AEA Member of the Year, and Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, which was chosen as the AEA Associate Member of the Year.

2012 AEA Member of the Year: Jim Joubert
Jim Joubert was born in 1954, at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Alameda, Calif. He literally was born into aviation, as his father, Jim Sr., had a career in aviation in the Navy, and later as an avionics inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration. Joubert's father taught him to fly at a very early age, and he first soloed at the age of 16. He has many fond memories of his family's vacations and outings in the family C-172.

Joubert officially began his aviation career in 1972, at the age of 18. He was offered a job as an apprentice instrument technician at Pan Western Instruments in Long Beach, Calif. Joubert quickly learned the many facets of the instrument business, and in 1974, the company relocated to Van Nuys, Calif., as part of the full-service FBO/Cessna dealer, Golden West Skyways, where he managed the instrument shop.

In 1975, Joubert married his high school sweetheart, Sylvia, and together they opened their first business in 1976, called J&S Aircraft Instruments. As J&S Aircraft Instruments, Joubert bought and sold aircraft instruments and did freelance instrument repair for other shops in the Southern California area. In March 1982, Joubert founded Pacific Southwest Instruments. Now, 30 years later, PSI has grown into a worldwide, well-recognized provider of aircraft instruments and repair services. He currently serves as president and CEO at PSI.

Joubert has been active in the AEA for many years, and he has served as a board member for the last six years. He was re-elected this year to serve another term. He also serves on the AEA Finance Committee and the AEA Government & Industry Affairs Committee. PSI is a regular participant and sponsor at AEA meetings and events.

The nominees for the 2012 AEA Member of the Year were: 

• Robin Howard, Howard Aviation Inc., LaVerne, Calif.
• Jim Joubert, Pacific Southwest Instruments, Corona, Calif.
• David Loso, Jet Aviation St. Louis, Cahokia, Ill.
• Anthony Polemarkis, Avionics Place, Rockford, Ill.
• Hardy Truelsen, Scandinavian Avionics, Denmark.

2012 AEA Associate Member of the Year:
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics
Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics began as a small repair station for Wichita's growing aircraft industry in 1964, and it has become a top-rated overhaul/repair facility and major OEM manufacturer of instruments, avionics and emergency power supplies. Helping customers solve problems is the key to the company's success. Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics is dedicated to providing superior quality and safety at affordable prices. The company specializes in supporting avionics shops that focus on providing service and value to their customers.

When Mid-Continent was purchased by John Winter in 1980, the company embraced a commitment to engineering, quality and service that continues to this day. With the 1991 addition of a facility in Van Nuys, Calif., and the new direction provided by Todd Winter, president and CEO, the company expanded its service capabilities, innovative product lines and international reach. Today, Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics has the expertise to overhaul nearly 6,000 different products, including gyro, altimeter, HSI and autopilot system overhauls -- both the Kansas and California facilities are FAA/EASA-authorized repair stations.

Since 1981, Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics has been a longstanding member of the AEA. John Winter, Todd Winter and Matt Fowle have served on the AEA board of directors at various times. John Winter was named the AEA Member of the Year in 1995, and AEA's board of directors honored him with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006 for his many contributions to the avionics industry.

In 2007, Fowle was named the AEA Member of the Year, and the company was named the AEA Associate Member of the Year in 2001.

In addition, Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics has earned numerous AEA Avionics Training Excellence Awards. The company sponsors an annual AEA Educational Foundation scholarship and supports the Foundation through significant donations to the annual silent auction. For their innovative products and customer support, dealers are saying thank you to Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics as their selection for the 2012 AEA Associate Member of the Year Award.

The nominees for the 2012 AEA Associate Member of the Year were: 

• Avidyne Corp., Lincoln, Mass.
• Cobham/S-TEC, Mineral Wells, Texas.
• Flight Display Systems, Alpharetta, Ga.
• Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics, Wichita, Kan.
• Ultra Electronics, Victor, N.Y.