2015 LAMA President’s Award Winner : Jeremy Monnett

The Monnett family accepting the 2015 LAMA President’s Award, for Jeremy Monnett, with Dan Johnson, LAMA President, at the EAA AirVenture Press Conference.

At EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2015, the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA) presented its 24th annual President’s Award to an Outstanding Individual, as nominated and voted by 800 members of the light aircraft business community.

It was also LAMA’s first-ever posthumous award, after the tragic loss of Jeremy Monnett only two months before the summer event.

LAMA president and chairman of the board, Dan Johnson, made the presentation as part of the organization’s press conference at AirVenture. The gathering was standing room only and focused on the Monnett family plus many employees and friends of the Sonex Aircraft organization.

It was a moving tribute to a fine young man.

In commemoration of the presentation, LAMA Founder and award organizer Larry Burke wrote, “This is LAMA’s 24th year offering the President’s Award, and this year we have an exceptional winner who is very dear to us and the aviation community.

“I have had the pleasure of knowing John and Betty Monnett for many years coming to the EAA event, and watching Jeremy come into his own and into a leadership role in the Sonex Aircraft Company.

“Let us pause in our respect for the loss of Jeremy, but also let us look forward to a new future for Sonex, motivated by our love for the man and legacy left to us by this outstanding young man called Jeremy Trent Monnett.”

In addition to a plaque given to the Monnett family, Jeremy’s name was also added to an obelisk that remains on permanent display in the EAA AirVenture Museum. The obelisk has the names of all previous winners of the LAMA Presidents Award for Outstanding Individual.

The plaque presented to Jeremy’s wife Kate read:

This award is a testimony to the world-wide light aviation community’s respect and love for Jeremy Monnett.

A family man, lover of his wife Kate and his two boys, Jeremy was also a fine engineer. With his Dad, John, he was instrumental in the development of new and successful Sonex airplanes, including the Onex, Jeremy’s own creation.

Jeremy was the inspiration for everyone as general manager of Sonex Aviation in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and his reputation as a tireless champion of local community functions is well known.

He served as President and member of the Jaycees, Aviation Committee, Progress Oshkosh, and in aviation was instrumental in the formation of the American Kit Industry Association.

It is with great pride and deep respect for the Monnett family that by means of a family representative we present to Jeremy Trent Monnett this posthumous LAMA President’s Award for Outstanding Individual for 2015.

Jeremy, your legacy will always be remembered in the hearts of your family and the aviation community.