RAF’S JEFF RUSSELL HONORED AT AOPA HOOVER AWARDS RECEPTION
RAF Director Jeff Russell was honored with AOPA’s 2025 Laurence P. Sharples Award at their annual Hoover awards reception on March 19 in the historic Terminal A Lobby at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
AOPA Chairman Darren Pleasance introduced Russell, saying, “This is AOPA’s most important award, named after AOPA’s first chairman, and recognizes someone for their extraordinary contributions to General Aviation.” Accepting the plaque, Russell modestly claimed that the award was really earned by the entire RAF, thanks to many other volunteers within the organization. He returned to his seat to a standing ovation.
“I could not be more proud of our fellow RAF Director Jeff who was recognized by AOPA. We can all be proud of his many accomplishments,” RAF Chairman John McKenna said after attending the reception. “Jeff has done enormous work moving the RAF mission along on both public and private lands. He’s a ‘one man army’ when it comes to getting things done.”
After a long career in manufacturing, Russell got involved with the RAF first as Wisconsin Liaison, then accepted a position on the board. He is credited with preserving Cornucopia Airport by enlisting town leadership and volunteers to make improvements to serve visiting pilots. Each year, hundreds of aircraft enjoy parking on its turf, camping, sightseeing around Lake Superior, and taking advantage of the town’s warm hospitality. Along with Jeff’s efforts in Wisconsin, he works with local volunteers in Alaska on their airstrip projects. Jeff led the RAF’s advocacy effort of working with the FAA on advancing turf operating areas.
Russell flies his Super Cub around the lower 48, Canada, and Alaska on either Bushwheels, floats, or skis, typically to work parties, or speaking to groups promoting RAF support. He has worked to protect many backcountry aviation destinations.
“I’m blown away by the company I’m in. The previous recipients are truly amazing people,” Russell said after learning he’d been selected for the honor. See AOPA’s two-minute video about Jeff and his love of flying and giving back.
RAF supporter Dan Schwinn of Avidyne won the Richard G. McSpadden GA Safety award for his significant contributions to aviation safety and modernization.
View AOPA’s awards presentation to these honorees, with Jeff’s award starting at 3:25 in the video.
Submitted March 28, 2025
By Carmine Mowbray
Congratulations Jeff and well deserved. You are a mensch for all you do for backcountry pilots! Thank you!
An outstanding honor for an outstanding leader in general aviation and the backcountry. Well deserved indeed!
Jeff is amazing. Certainly truly deserving of this award. It’s really incredible how much he gets done. I met Jeff last year for the first time when I was new to the Madison WI area. I had my airplane tie-down at the Middleton Airport with my pickup parked in front of my airplane with the hood up. I didn’t know Jeff from the man-in-the-moon. Yet, Jeff on his way to his hanger took the time to come around stop and asked me if there was anything he could do to help. Little did I know at the time, what an amazing guy, and terrific pilot he is. I count myself lucky to have met him and to have continued to have had the opportunity to get to know him better.
Congratulations Jeff! Well deserved for all the work you do on our behalf.
Congratulations Jeff! The RAF truly is the best aviation organization I have ever belonged to. No politics or Type-A arguments. Just a coordinated effort with private, local, state and federal entities to support back country aviation in a friendly comfortable way. And a phenomenal philosophy of leaving back country air strips in better condition than they find them. Jeff embodies this and I understand his reticence to take the grand stand as every RAF state representative I have met are the kind of down to earth get it done types I like to hang with. It would be tough to have to decide which of them would be the best. But guess what Jeff. You are “it”. LOL. The RAF is firstly a steward of the wilderness with the added benefit of coordinating access by aircraft thereto. They are my “go to” organization when I feel need to support aviation without hesitation.
Sorry it took so long to get around to congratulations Jeff! It’s great to work with you at Lakewood Lodge Airport. It’s almost impossible to keep up with Jeff during a Work Weekend, he is Everywhere!