Denver-based Centennial airport CEO and executive director Robert Olislagers has received the Silk Scarf Award from the NBAA in recognition of his career-long commitment to business aviation. The award was presented at an event held in honour of his service and upcoming retirement.

“Throughout his career, Robert has been a fierce advocate for business aviation accessibility, clearly demonstrating the industry's value, not only to his community in Denver, but to communities nationwide,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Business aviation has greatly benefited from his efforts, and we are pleased to honour him with the NBAA Silk Scarf Award in recognition of his dedication and contributions to the sector.”

Olislagers landed at Centennial airport in 2000 as executive director. Shortly after assuming his post, he ensured the airport's continued success by authoring and advocating for a bill that restored federal funding for the airport. From 2013-2018, under his leadership, the airport nearly doubled its economic contribution to the state's economy, up to $2.1 billion from $1.32 billion, according to the 2020 Colorado Division of Aeronautics Airport Economic Impact Report.

Olislagers' advocacy efforts include testifying on behalf of the business aviation industry before Congress, and representing business aviation with federal agencies, often focusing on aviation security matters.

At NBAA's invitation, Olislagers was a featured speaker at the association's Asian Business Aviation Conference & Exhibition in April 2015. There, he addressed a dedicated summit of airport leaders, focused on growing business aviation infrastructure in China and across the Asian region.

“Robert is a long-time partner with NBAA in business aviation airport matters, but especially in general aviation security,” added NBAA senior vice president of safety, security, sustainability and international affairs Doug Carr. “For decades, he has advocated for practical security mitigations that are now widely practiced in the industry.”

Earlier this year, Olislagers was named a laureate to the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame.