18th Annual Aviation Education & Career Expo

The 18th Annual Aviation Education & Career Expo hosted by Rider Jet Center awards over $183,000 in scholarships to young aviation and aerospace enthusiasts

Cypress, Texas – On November 20th, 2024, Rider Jet Center hosted the Aviation Education and Career Expo, drawing in
over 1,000 young enthusiasts aged 16-22 from the Mid-Atlantic region and nationwide. The Expo provided a dynamic
platform for future aviation and aerospace professionals to engage with more than 60 esteemed aviation
organizations, including universities, airlines, private aviation companies, and medical, military, and law enforcement
agencies.

Hundreds of students submitted essays vying for prestigious scholarship awards, including monetary flight training
lessons, tuition, and paid internships offered by Expo sponsors. Collectively, the 2024 sponsors awarded over
$183,000 in scholarships, bringing the Expo’s total to over $1.7 million in scholarships since 2009.

Julie O’Brien, VP of Business Development for Paragon Aviation Group and event co-founder, emphasized the Expo’s
transformative impact: “The Expo provides experiences, mentoring, and scholarships that inspire students to
discover and pursue their passion for the skies. I am thrilled to take this event to new levels through the Paragon
Aviation Group Network and our new partners at Rider Jet Center.”

The Expo is a unique opportunity for aspiring talents to interact directly with experts and discover a multitude of
career opportunities in the thriving aviation and aerospace sectors. Participants gained invaluable industry insights
through keynote speeches, live demonstrations, and interactive sessions.

Motivational speakers and presenters included:

• ProJet Aviation Cofounder and CEO Shye Gilad
• Ben Rider – Owner, Rider Jet Center
• Heidi Kemner – FAA Senior Air & Space Investigator
• Lisa Quinto – Corporate Flight Attendant
• John Geltinger – Director of Service Hub Operations, NetJets
• Vanessa Christie – US Navy Combat Veteran, CEO Prevailance
• Garda World Federal Services delighted attendees with a live K-9-unit demonstration, showcasing the value of working dogs to law enforcement agencies and public safety.

2024 Legacy Scholarship Awards honored:

• Leroy Homer Jr. – Veteran Air Force Pilot and First Officer of United Airlines Flight 93, which was hijacked as part
  of the September 11 attacks in 2001 and crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 37 passengers and seven crewmembers, including LeRoy. We honor those heroes!
• Jason Emeric Brunsman -Jason Emeric Brunsman touched the lives of many with his deep passion and love for
  aviation. He was a Northern Virginia Community College student and achieved the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the
  Civil Air Patrol. Jason served in various capacities, including Flight Sergeant, First Sergeant, Aerospace Officer, and Executive Officer. He was an active member of the Cyber Patriot team, Stellar Xplorers, and Honor Guard. Jason was also a former Expo Scholarship recipient.
• Yong Sung Park – The brother to Young Park – Owner of First Chime, In-Flight Catering, Vendor, and Scholarship
  Sponsor, Yong Sung inspired his sister to pursue her dreams and achieve greatness in the inflight catering industry,
  both in the US and abroad.

2024 Scholarship Winners

• Jeba Shaun Sahayadarlin – Bravo Flight Training
• Dylan Correia – Unmanned Safety Institute
• Maya Schweigert – Aero Elite
• Asher James – Mindstar Aviation
• Joshua Trias – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
• Matthew Simpson – Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
• Joshua Michael Taylor- Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
• Dominic Brunsman – The Hoxton Agency
• Juliana Godwin – Frederick Flight Center
• Benjamin Gonzollez-Torres – NetJets
• Simon Wedge – Aviation Adventures
• Juliana Godwin – Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology
• Will Fadden – Goose Creek Aviation
• Julia Shi – Greater Washington Business Aviation Association
• Lylah Gwinn – Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics
• Galen Belmar – St. Francis University
• Joshua Miles – St. Francis University
• Abdul Moiz Asif – St. Francis University
• Suvanjal Dhungana – St. Francis University
• Maya Schweigert – LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation
• Brandon Alvarez De La Cruz – First Chime In-flight Catering
• Akil Gunn – Jetlinx
• Connor James – Nulton
• Bella Serio – Career XPL
• Brinnay Nickola – AVI/BWIA
• Fatima Masood – ALPA
• Bradley Perez-Ramirez – Avyation Lab
• Blake McLaughlin – AOPA
• Caleb Montilla – Averett
• Virginia Grieb – Marywood

In addition to scholarships, numerous internships were awarded courtesy of:

• Aviation Influence
• Black Women in Aviation
• Bravo Flight Training
• Federal Aviation Association -FAA
• First Chime In-Flight Catering
• General Dynamics
• South Mountain Aviation
• STEM Flights

A special thank you to Toth Financial, 1st Chime in-flight catering, Little Caesars, The Grille at Runways, Costco, and
Harris Teeter for an amazing breakfast and lunch during the event.

For more information, visit www.projetaviation.com and click on “Aviation Expo”.

About The Aviation Education & Career Expo
The Aviation Education & Career Expo is one of the largest and most successful aviation education events in the
United States. Since its inception in 2005, the Expo has awarded over 1.6 million dollars in scholarships to high
school and college students pursuing careers in aviation and aerospace. Co-founded by aviation professionals Julie
O’Brien and Sarah Thompson, the Expo is committed to helping students explore the many career opportunities
available through the world of flight.

Paragon Aviation Group is part of the globally operating Luxaviation Group, renowned for its excellence in a
comprehensive range of business aviation services. Luxaviation specializes in aircraft management for private and
commercial aircraft, private air charter services, and the management and operation of VIP passenger terminals. Our
extensive FBO network includes over 140 facilities worldwide.

Paragon is a leading provider of FBO support services within the general aviation industry. With a commitment to
elevating the customer experience, Paragon offers a diverse array of services tailored to meet the unique needs of
FBOs, handling agents, and aviation enthusiasts globally.