About the Society

In honor of Tony Jannus...

The Tampa and St. Petersburg Chambers of Commerce established The Tony Jannus Distinguished Aviation Society in 1964 to recognize outstanding contributors to the growth and improvement of the scheduled airline industry.

The Tony Jannus Award honorees include elite aviation pioneers, aeronautical engineers, industry CEOs and governmental leaders. The “who’s who” list includes world renowned figures including: Sir Lenox Hewitt; The Honorable Norman Mineta; Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker; Sir Frank Whittle; Lt, Gen. James Doolittle; William Powell Lear; Donald W. Douglas; Brigadier General Charles “Chuck” Yeager; Herb Kelleher, Sir Richard Branson, Gary Kelly, and Capt. Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger.

The Society is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is dedicated to honoring Tony Jannus and the world’s first scheduled commercial airline and to advancing the future of commercial aviation by supporting Florida’s high school, trade school, and college students through education and outreach.

Through the support of our Board Members and event sponsors the Jannus Society has proudly provided almost $500,000 to help potential future leaders of our industry.