Elliott Aviation Kicks Off 90th Year by Introducing Founder’s Award and Honoring Inaugural Recipient

As Elliott Aviation begins its 90th year in business, the company is marking the milestone by introducing the Founder’s Award, the highest individual honor bestowed within the organization. The award recognizes an employee who exemplifies the values upon which Elliott Aviation was built: trust, honor and integrity.

Founded in 1936 by Herb Elliott, Elliott Aviation began as a small aircraft-maintenance operation rooted in a simple but enduring philosophy: do the right thing, treat people fairly, and stand behind your work. Over nine decades, those principles have guided the company’s growth into one of the most respected aviation service providers in the industry, serving owners, operators and flight departments across the country. While the scope of the business has evolved, the values established by its founder remain the foundation of Elliott Aviation’s culture.

“The Founder’s Award is a direct reflection of what Herb Elliott believed mattered most,” says Michael Parrish, president of Elliott Aviation. “This award is not just about performance. It is about character, accountability and the pride our founders believed every employee should bring to their work.”

The Founder’s Award recognizes individuals who lead by example, contribute meaningfully to the company’s legacy, and embody the type of teammate the founders envisioned when Elliott Aviation was established.

Elliott Aviation is proud to announce Paul Schmidt as the inaugural Founder’s Award recipient for 2025.

Schmidt has been a member of the Elliott Aviation team for more than 27 years and is one of the company’s most trusted avionics technicians. Over his career, he has personally contributed to more than 100 Garmin installations and played a key role in helping Elliott Aviation surpass 500 completed installations, reinforcing its position as a premier Garmin dealer in the industry.

Beyond his technical expertise, Schmidt is widely respected for his professionalism, humility and unwavering commitment to doing things the right way. He is the teammate others rely on when precision matters, timelines are tight, and customers are counting on Elliott Aviation to deliver. His consistent demonstration of trust, honor and integrity makes him a role model within the organization and across the aviation community.

“As Elliott Aviation celebrates 90 years, it is fitting that we honor the people who carry our founders’ values forward,” Parrish says. “Paul Schmidt exemplifies what it means to be part of Elliott Aviation, and we are proud to recognize him as the first recipient of the Founder’s Award.”

As Elliott Aviation looks ahead to its next chapter, the Founder’s Award will serve as a lasting reminder that the company’s success is built not only on technical excellence but on the people who live its values every day.

For more information, visit elliottaviation.com.