Over her decades long career with the FAA, Gilligan rose from an attorney in the Eastern Regional Counsel’s office, served as chief of staff for four different administrators and finally spent 20 years in the Aviation Safety organization. She became associate administrator in January, 2009, assuming responsibility for setting, overseeing and enforcing safety standards for the aviation industry.

“She has always been an honest, forthright broker unstintingly serving her country and the flying public through shifting political crosswinds,” ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod said when Gilligan announced her plans to retire this past January. “She earned the respect of the international aviation community and certainly has mine.”

MacLeod and ARSA demonstrated that respect through its Weston Award, which was first bestowed in 2005 on Weston himself. The award recognizes individuals who embody commitment to the aviation maintenance industry’s safety and success.

“Whether she recognized it or not, Peggy has been a mentor for me. I have long admired her steady guidance of the agency. Without her hand on the yoke, the politics of aviation safety would have grounded the industry. Instead, she has allowed us to design systems that can withstand political turbulence,” MacLeod said.

The announcement was made during ARSA’s annual member meeting on the last day of its 2017 Legislative Day & Annual Repair Symposium. Although Gilligan could not join the association during the symposium, it will be presenting her the Weston Award during a scheduled retirement event.

To see what else happened during the event, visit arsa.org/symposium.

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