On March 20, ARSA recognized Jerry Crowley with its Leo Weston Award for Excellence in Government Service. Crowley is a long time FAA aviation safety inspector who was a professional protégé and personal friend to the award’s namesake.
Jerry Crowley, right, receives the Leo Weston Award from Marshall Filler during ARSA’s 2025 Annual Conference.
Before commencing the morning-long regulatory discussion of ARSA’s Annual Repair Symposium – the most heavily attended and longest running element of the association’s Annual Conference – Managing Director and General Counsel Marshall Filler called the assembly to order for the special award presentation. Crowley was in attendance along with multiple agency colleagues and was unaware of his selection, which had been made in 2024 but its announcement held until it could be done with him physically present.
First bestowed in 2005 on Weston himself, the award recognizes an influential figure in ARSA’s birth by honoring individuals who embody his commitment to the industry. As an FAA official, Weston advocated for the creation of an organization to represent the interests of maintenance providers. Since then – through his long life of professional and personal dedication to public good and continuing since his death in 2020 – he has been an inspiration for the association and its members. In his honor, ARSA regularly recognizes individuals who have made a lasting impact in furthering the principles of good government.
“Unfortunately, we are running out of deserving recipients,” Filler said about the award, noting the association’s interest in bestowing it on professionals who knew Weston personally. “But we’re very thankful that some of them, including this year’s recipient, are still around.”
Crowley has been in federal service with the FAA for 35 years. Currently assigned to the Lincoln [Nebraska] Flight Standards District Office, he was a Department of Defense fleet manager before joining the agency in 1990. He has previously received the 2024 Vai Lipsky Integration Team Award from the FAA, which recognized his contribution to integration efforts in the Office of Aviation Safety.
“If you want to thank somebody for the seamless and pleasant experiences you’ve enjoyed working on issues that involve both Flight Standards and Aircraft Certification, talk to Jerry Crowley,” Filler said.
Jerry Crowley, addresses ARSA Annual Conference attendees after receiving the Leo Weston Award, as viewed via the event livestream.
“I’m very undeserving of this award,” Crowley said upon the announcement of his honor. During his time on stage, he reflected on past discussions with ARSA, particularly exploring with its team the “philosophy” behind the aviation safety rules. “The regulations have history behind them, and you have to study the regulations to understand specifically what the original intent was.” Focusing on this intent and then complying with the plain language of the rules are key tenets of ARSA’s advocacy that were informed by Weston’s wisdom.
“One thing Leo always taught me was: ‘Young man, you’re going to meet a lot of people in your aviation career that know a lot about aviation. But you’re never going to meet someone who knows everything about aviation. It’s your responsibility to learn something new every day in your job. If you don’t do that, you’re not doing your job.’ I have lived by that philosophy my entire career.”
That philosophical commitment has made Crowley a valued public servant and trusted partner to the industry in pursuing aviation safety. His recognition with the Weston Award may highlight his achievement and help further the memory of his regulatory mentor, but the real value of Crowley’s commitment to good government is felt every day by both the industry and also the public it serves – whether or not they recognize the value of a humble aviation safety inspector.
For more information about the Weston Award, visit arsa.org/weston-award.
To learn more about ARSA’s Annual Conference which the association will next host March 17-20, 2026, visit arsa.org/conference.
