The National Air Transportation Association announced the recipients of its Industry Excellence Awards given annually to individuals, offices and organizations that have helped improve the general aviation community by demonstrating excellence in their field and the highest level of customer service.

The winner of the 2014 NATA Aviation Journalism Award is Ric Peri, vice president of government and industry affairs for the Aircraft Electronics Association and a senior writer for Avionics News magazine. He was recognized for his monthly "View from Washington" column published in Avionics News. The award identifies a journalist, writer or publication excelling in consumer education or editorial support in the FBO/air charter industry. With more than 20 years of experience writing for various publications in the aviation maintenance community, he has dedicated himself to promoting standardization, consistency and regulatory compliance.

NATA will present the award to Peri during the NATA Industry Excellence Awards Dinner scheduled for March 3 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. The association will hold the dinner in conjunction with its Aviation Business & Legislative Conference.

For more information and a list of the award’s past recipients, visit http://www.nata.aero/Awards/Aviation-Journalism.aspx.

Peri manages the AEA’s Washington, D.C., office and is responsible for helping draft aviation regulations as well as instructing users on the proper interpretation of the regulations. He consults with aviation companies worldwide and actively participates in rulemaking in Europe, Canada, Australia and the U.S.

As a certificated mechanic, licensed pilot, operational crewmember and entrepreneur, Peri has more than 40 years of experience in aviation flight operations, aircraft maintenance and airport operations. He is a technical expert on international aviation maintenance regulations, repair station operations, environmental management and occupational safety. Peri is a U. S. Coast Guard veteran, a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a former faculty member at the University of Southern California and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Peri is an active advocate for aviation small businesses worldwide and is an internationally recognized author and sought-after speaker concerning all areas of aviation maintenance issues, such as regulations, industrial safety and environmental management. He has been recognized for his accomplishments by the White House, the U. S. Coast Guard, the Federal Aviation Administration and ASTM International.

In January 2013, Peri was elected to serve a three-year term on the ASTM International board of directors. An ASTM International member who joined the organization in 2004, Peri currently serves as chairman of Committee F39 on aircraft systems. In this role, he has worked closely with the FAA to expedite the development of new safety standards on aircraft wiring systems. Peri also is a member of Committees F37 on light-sport aircraft and F44 on general aviation aircraft. For his contributions, Peri received the ASTM President’s Leadership Award in 2008.