Virginia Aviation Business Association
The Voice of Business Aviation in Virginia
VABA Reception Brings Together Aviation, Aerospace, Advanced Air Mobility Leaders, Entrepreneurs, and Rising Stars
​Awards Presented to Greg Campbell, DOAV, and Tracy Tynan, VIPC
The Virginia Aviation Business Association (VABA) welcomed industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and emerging talent from across the Commonwealth to Main Street Station in Richmond for the Aviation, Aerospace, and Advanced Air Mobility Reception on January 29, 2025.
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With 40 vendors exhibiting, this year’s banquet welcomed 600 attendees for the aviation community’s largest networking and recognition event. Guests included members from the Governor’s Administration, Congress, and the Virginia General Assembly, with Governor Glenn Youngkin delivering the evening’s keynote speech.
The event also featured the presentation of distinguished awards, including the Outstanding Leadership Award and the Industry Impact Award.
Outstanding Leadership Award
While Greg Campbell has only been the director of the Virginia Department of Transportation for three years, he has been involved in Virginia’s $25 billion aviation industry for nearly 40 years. He understood the intersection of aviation and economic development since the early days of his career. The 65 public-use airports in Virginia are the welcome mat to the communities they serve. Airports are the first and last thing a prospective employer sees when deciding whether to build or expand their operations. Greg has served as a calm hand in moving the DOAV and industry forward by partnering with a number of organizations to spearhead critical initiative and thereby grow the Virginia economy.
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For his dedication, leadership, and vision in promoting the aviation & aerospace industry in Virginia, we recognize Greg with this award during this is a dynamic time in the aviation industry. We thank Greg for leading efforts to make accessible cutting-edge aviation, supporting economic development and industry growth, and aviation safety. We thank Greg for his service to the Virginia Department of Aviation, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation.
Left to Right: Joe Oyler, The Boeing Company, Greg Campbell, Virginia Department of Aviation, and Governor Glenn Younkin.
Industry Impact Award
Tracy Tynan has served as a positive change agent, taking the new concept of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and building around AAM a coalition, innovative programming and recruiting businesses to the Commonwealth.
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She has been instrumental in supporting economic growth. Her tenure at the Virginia Economic Development Partnership helped attract global companies to Virginia, and her earlier work with airlines – including the legendary People Express – showcased her entrepreneurial spirit. She is a builder—not just of programs and alliances but also of opportunities for people and communities. Her career reflects a commitment to innovation, collaboration, and economic growth. For this she has been awarded the first Industry Impact Award and for championing growth of aviation business throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia, and beyond.
Left to Right: Greg Campbell, Virginia Department of Aviation, Tracy Tynan, Nexutech, and Governor Glenn Younkin
​The future of the aviation, aerospace and AAM workforce also participated in the event. Members of Liberty University's School of Aeronautics, cadet program from Virginia Wing of the Civil Air Patrol attended and explored career opportunities across the industry.
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An event of this magnitude would not be possible without the support of the VABA Board and our Reception partners, the Virginia Department of Aviation, NASA Langley Research Center, NASA Wallops Flight Facility, and the Virginia Innovation Partnership Council. We are deeply grateful for the support of each of our sponsors. Please join us in supporting their work.​
Thank you to VIPC for providing photos at this year's reception.
All photos can be found here.
Hands on learning with NASA
The Civil Air Patrol helping direct attendees
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Demonstrating drone capabilities
More hands on learning at exhibitor booths!
Gov. Youngkin meeting with the Civil Air Patrol Cadets who graciously volunteered to help at the event
Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears speaking to the attendees
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Introducing virtual reality
THANK YOU TO OUR 2025 VABA LEGISLATIVE RECEPTION SPONSORS
