ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod

During an online presentation at MRO TransAtlantic on Oct. 28, Aviation Week officially recognized ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod with its Lifetime Achievement Award for MRO.

MacLeod was instrumental in ARSA’s formation and has led the association and the aviation community for more than 35 years. As highlighted by Aviation Week Chief Editor MRO Lee Ann Shay during the pre-recorded presentation of the award, MacLeod has actively engaged with numerous aviation stakeholder bodies throughout her career. She chaired the FAA’s Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee (ARAC) in 1995-1996 and has served ARAC faithfully since its inception. She was a member of the FAA’s Suspected Unapproved Parts (SUP) Task Force, which developed the plan on which the FAA SUP program is based. She edited the Parts Manufacturer Approval Manual and is currently co-chair of ARAC’s Part 145 Working Group. 

Based on her expertise and experience with both the regulatory requirements and business realities of aviation maintenance, MacLeod’s assistance is highly demanded by industry stakeholders. She is a sought-after speaker, having appeared at countless industry meetings (including many visits to MRO Event Series stages) and training events. In addition to her direct client support as managing member of Obadal, Filler, MacLeod & Klein, P.L.C. – ARSA’s management firm – member access to her expertise is one of the association’s premier benefits. MacLeod has always prioritized sharing her knowledge and insight through direct discussion as well as ARSA’s online training program.

Though Aviation Week’s honor focused on the achievement in MacLeod’s past, she used the honor to highlight the maintenance community’s future and her continued leadership of it. “It is daunting to be presented such an honor just when the international aviation maintenance industry and the association founded to support it are finally coming into their own!” MacLeod said after reflecting on her recognition. “We have more to achieve before my time in aviation is over.”

“You’re an unsung hero and you’ve been a huge advocate for the industry,” Shay told MacLeod during the pre-recorded presentation, promising that the award’s delivery would be seen by thousands of online event viewers despite their inability to celebrate together in person.

“Then this really will just be among friends,” MacLeod said, acknowledging that she had been surprised by the announcement. “Because all of those people are my friends.”

Aviation Week’s Lifetime Achievement Award for MRO was given to ARSA Executive Director Sarah MacLeod during MRO TransAtlantic on Oct. 28.

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