​Choose Aerospace is honored to welcome Kelly Filgo, a proven aviation education and training leader, as the organization's Director of Operations. 
 
Filgo, who brings more than two decades of relevant, firsthand experience to the newly created role, will focus on ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of Choose Aerospace’s educational programs. Among his primary responsibilities is overseeing the Choose Aerospace aviation maintenance curriculum, including updates and future expansions, and serving as the organization's primary liaison with schools that partner with Choose Aerospace.
 
Filgo joins Choose Aerospace after more than a decade at Texas State Technical College, where he held a variety of roles, including department chair and statewide curriculum manager for their FAA Part 147 programs. A private pilot, certificated aircraft maintenance technician, and certificated drone pilot, Filgo has also served multiple terms on the Aviation Technical Education Council board of directors. In addition, he played a key role in developing the Choose Aerospace content that partners adopt as part of the organization's fundamental workforce pathway development efforts.
 
"As Choose Aerospace pursues its goal to build and grow a diverse, sustainable aerospace workforce pipeline, the organization needs a strong, experienced, capable staff," said Executive Director Crystal Maguire. "Kelly brings a wealth of knowledge and relevant experience to support pre-certification pathways and high schools that adopt the Choose Aerospace curriculum. 
 
Filgo started his new role this month and is based in Waco, Texas.

Choose Aerospace will provide nearly $60,000 worth of scholarships, textbooks, training systems, tools, and testing fee credits to educators and future aviators.
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The non-profit organization is in its fifth award season. This year's donors include AAR Corp, Aeronautical Repair Station Association, Aviation Supplies & Academics (ASA), Aviation Workforce Solutions, Nida Corporation, AVOTEK, Aircraft Technical Book Company, CertTEC, Snap-on, Sonic Tools, Northrop Rice Foundation, and ARCS Aviation. Newcomer this year is the Aviation Institute of Maintenance with a $2,500 student award up for grabs.

Choose Aerospace will provide high school award winners with free Choose Aerospace curriculum for up to ten students during the 23-24 academic year as well as complimentary ATEC membership.

Eligible applicants must be planning to attend, enrolled at, or teach in an aviation technical program. Only ATEC members, their instructors and enrolled students are eligible to apply.

The deadline to apply is February 15, 2024.

​If you or someone you know would like to serve on the review committee, please email [email protected].