Samuel Golden, content and marketing manager for King Schools, was selected from a group of more than 600 applicants for the National Business Aviation Association’s 2023 Top 40 Under 40 award.
The NBAA said it began giving the annual award in 2018 to recognize young people “driving meaningful change and big results across all segments of business aviation.”
The NBAA’s Young Professionals in Business Aviation (YoPro) program hosted this year’s honorees during the NBAA convention in Las Vegas in October.
“We are pleased to announce the newest class of Top 40 Under 40 business aviation professionals,” the NBAA said in its announcement of the award winners. “This class represents a wide range of expertise in business aviation. It truly demonstrates that the next generation of leaders is here, and the industry is in good hands for a successful future.”
John Dowd, King Schools’ vice president of marketing, nominated Golden.
“Pilots for 50 years have used King Schools to pass their FAA exams and for pilot training,” Dowd said. “Samuel is a member of a new generation of technically proficient, digitally savvy young pilots who are ensuring the future of King Schools is in good hands. Samuel is part of the team that is using video and social media to share courses and researching AI’s virtual and augmented reality possibilities.”
Golden is an experienced pilot with a commercial airplane single-engine land certificate and an instrument rating. He also holds advanced and instrument ground instructor, and remote pilot certificates. He manages the King Schools’ digital advertising and social media programs, which have helped drive increases in the company’s market share and social media engagement.
“Samuel has had a significant role in keeping King Schools relevant in a fast-changing, competitive market,” said John and Martha King, founders of King Schools, in a statement. “Our advertising and overall communication with our customers have greatly benefited from Samuel’s work. We are very pleased and proud to see Samuel receive this well-deserved award.”
