STATEWIDE – With over five years of legislative service to the State of Oklahoma, Senator Paul Rosino, has been awarded the honorable 2022 Heritage Award from the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association (OAOA). The award, which was established in 2009, honors individuals who have excelled in their service and dedication to aviation and aerospace progress and development and for outstanding contributions to the state’s second largest industry.
Rosino began his public service in the Oklahoma State Senate in 2017, and served for 25 years in the U.S. Navy prior to that, retiring at the rank of Master Chief Petty Officer. For nearly ten years, Rosino was stationed at Tinker Air Force Base, where he served in Strategic Communications Wing ONE in support of their fleet of E-6B aircraft.
At his retirement, Rosino led a team of nearly 200 military and civilian personnel responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the E-6B fleet. A decorated veteran, Rosino held a Top-Secret security clearance and received numerous awards and commendations, including Company Commander of the Year and Squadron Sailor of the Year.
“Aviation and Aerospace is the state’s second-largest industry according to an economic impact study published by the Aeronautics Commission in 2017. It’s noteworthy that Sen. Rosino also started his effort to advocate for the growth of aerospace and defense this same year, shortly after being sworn into office,” said State Director of Aeronautics Grayson Ardies. “Rosino has been a stalwart champion for the industry with a particular focus on our many airports across the state and ensuring we have excellent airport infrastructure,” Ardies continued.
Rosino has led many legislative initiatives to support aerospace and defense, including an effort to help get additional funding for airport infrastructure by appropriating state funds to the Aeronautics Commission for the first time since the 1990s. He is also responsible for the creation of the ACES program, a purpose-built program operated by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce in partnership with the Aeronautics Commission to grow and develop the aerospace and defense industry.
“Sen. Rosino has consistently supported the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, the airports we serve, the citizens of Oklahoma, and OAOA, by having an open-door policy and visiting with our membership anytime we ask to meet with him in his Capitol office,” said OAOA president Paul Priegel, AAE, the Director of Stillwater Regional Airport. “He is an asset to Oklahoma, to OAOA, and to the broader aviation and aerospace community, and he is very deserving of honor and respect,” concluded Priegel.
The award recognizes that the vitality and effectiveness of a state aviation organization directly reflects the quality of public policy leaders. OAOA strives to annually identify citizens that have performed in an exemplary manner and whose contributions will serve as an inspiration to the aviation industry.
<CUTLINE: OAOA President Paul Priegel presented Senator Paul Rosino the 2022 OAOA Heritage Award at the Oklahoma Airport Operators Association annual conference in Oklahoma City April 11, 2022.>