Jan. 25, 2016
For 13 years, the Living Legends of Aviation award has recognized people of remarkable accomplishment in aviation, including entrepreneurs, innovators, record breakers, astronauts and famous pilots. Sean Tucker and Bob Hoover are “Legends.” So are Harrison Ford and James Raisbeck.
On Jan. 22, Dan Wolfe, the associate vice president and general manager of aviation for Nationwide Insurance, joined the ranks of the legends at a gala in Beverly Hills, CA. Wolfe is one of the first flight department leaders to be honored by the Living Legends.
“Dan Wolfe is an exemplary leader in our profession. He is an outstanding flight department manager and a model of giving back to the industry,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen, himself inducted into the Living Legends in 2009. “This honor could not be more well deserved, and it shines a bright light on the professionalism of business aviation.”
The Living Legends honors ceremony is presented each year by Kiddie Hawk Air Academy. Affiliated with the Airport Journals family of publications, Kiddie Hawk is a Colorado nonprofit dedicated to sparking young people’s interest in aviation.
Kiddie Hawk’s mission, as the charitable beneficiary of the Living Legends ceremony, is close to Wolfe’s heart. He’s been a longtime champion of professional development and mentoring the next generation of business aviation leaders – one of many reasons why he’s being recognized as a Living Legend.
“Like any humbled aviator, I was excited,” said Wolfe. “This is such a high-profile group, with Buzz Aldrin, Gene Cernan, Clay Lacy, Murray Smith and Morgan Freeman. I’m also excited about what Kiddie Hawk is doing. Their work getting kids excited about aviation will help our industry down the line.”
Wolfe attended the Living Legends ceremony once before, when the Nationwide Aviation Business Center was recognized as Professional Pilot’s flight department of the year. Nationwide has also earned NBAA’s 50-year Flying Safety Award and was profiled in the association’s flagship publication, Business Aviation Insider.
As a member of NBAA’s Business Aviation Management Committee, Wolfe helped develop a guide for flight department internship programs. He’s flown for Nationwide for more than 25 years, amassing in excess of 14,000 flight hours. As a manager, he’s partnered with Ohio colleges and universities to mentor aviation students. He’s also been a foster parent for more than 20 years.
“At this point in my career, it’s amazing to have the ability to give back,” said Wolfe. “I’ve always tried to pass on my aviation passion and knowledge while creating opportunities for people. I think it’s just part of what we’re supposed to do – leave the profession better than we found it.”