Awards Judging
After the closing date for submissions all nominations will be collected and reviewed by the judging panel. Each award
winner will be decided by consensus among the judges and no correspondence will be entered into by outside parties. Judging
will be based on the strength of the submissions together with a review of the nominee’s activities in the area of
nomination.
Judges
Niko HerrmannNiko Herrmann is partner in aviation at Oliver Wyman, a leading international management consulting firm. He has 13 years of consulting experience in the US, Europe and Middle East, focusing on air cargo. In addition, Herrmann has managed numerous engagements for some of the world’s leading international airlines and aerospace companies. Recently, Herrmann worked with Qatar Airways for 15 months, leading the carrier’s cargo division as general manager cargo worldwide on an interim basis. He holds an MSC equivalent graduate degree in aerospace engineering from the Technical University of Munich, Germany. After graduating, he received an MBA from INSEAD, the European Institute for Business Administration in Fontainebleau, France.
Ammar BalkarPresident & CEO
MEBAA
Ammar Balkar was unveiled as president and CEO of Middle East Business Aviation Association (MEBAA) last year. He secured the role following an extensive career in aviation throughout the region, including managerial roles in start-up executive jet service providers. He also worked with Royal Jordanian Airlines and gained experience in commercial airlines, corporate jets and helicopters. Born in Amman, Jordan, Ammar is an economics and business aviation graduate, with an MSC in information management systems. MEBAA was launched in 2006 to promote safety, security, efficiency and expansion throughout the region’s business aviation sector.
Salem Rashid Al NoaimiCEO
Waha Leasing
Salem Rashid Al Noaimi is CEO of Waha Leasing, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Waha Capital. Salem joined Waha Leasing (previously Oasis International Leasing) as the director of business development in 2004 and became the acting CEO in 2007. Previously he worked in the investments department of Dubai Islamic Bank and the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development. Salem is a UAE national and studied a degree in Finance and International Business at the Northeastern University in Boston, USA.
Bob GeniseCEO
DAE Capital
Bob Genise is CEO of DAE Capital, a division of Dubai Aerospace Enterprise. Bob was president and CEO of Boullioun Aviation Services for 17 years and was a founding shareholder of the business. Bob was responsible for building Boullioun into one of the world’s top leasing businesses. Prior to this he served as managing director for London-based Chemical Bank’s special finance group, with responsibility for all of Chemical Bank’s international aviation banking and leasing business.
Dr David Van OverAssociate Professor & Chairperson
University of Wollongong
Dr David Van Over is associate professor and chair of the College of Graduate Studies at the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD). As an information technology expert, David teaches courses in IT and received a PhD in Information Systems from the University of Houston. Prior to joining UOWD, David held similar positions in American universities and was employed by both Deloitte & Touche and IBM as a business consultant.