Lou Ramm, Meridian Air Charter’s Director of Quality Assurance, was awarded the prestigious Charles Taylor Award in a formal presentation on September 25 at Meridian’s HQ in Teterboro. Robert Thorson, FAA Safety Team Program Manager, presented Lou with the award while members of the Quality Assurance, Charter, and Maintenance teams were on hand along with Executive Management and Lou’s wife, JoAnne, to celebrate this amazing accomplishment.
The Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award is named in honor of Mr. Charles Taylor, the first aviation mechanic in powered flight. Mr. Taylor served as the Wright brothers’ mechanic and is credited with designing and building the engine for their first successful aircraft. The award recognizes the lifetime accomplishments of senior mechanics. In order to be eligible, the recipient must hold a U.S. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mechanic or repairman certificate, and have 50 or more years of civil and military maintenance experience.
Lou received his Aircraft and Powerplant (A&P) license in 1969. He then served in Army Aviation as a Crew Chief / DS Maintenance Platoon Supervisor. His experience has included both fixed and rotary wing aircraft in general aviation, both corporate and charter. He also holds an FAA Inspection Authorization. He joined Meridian full-time in 1997, after working the previous four years with Ken Forester, Sr. providing contract maintenance services.
“I am very honored to receive this award,” Ramm said during the presentation. “It is very rewarding to be acknowledged for your career and the work you have done. It is also humbling to be in the company of other respected Meridian recipients, including Ken Forester, Sr., Vincent Mendola, and John Bahrenburg.”
“We are very proud of Lou,” said Ken Forester, Meridian CEO. “Lou has been a real asset to Meridian and he is deserving of this award. It’s great to see Lou honored for his years of service to both us and the aviation industry.”