March 31, 2025 – Olsson’s Steve Stockam has been honored with an Aviation Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition celebrates his contributions and dedication to the aviation industry in Missouri.

The award was presented at the Missouri Airport Managers Association & Missouri State Aviation Council (MAMA-MoSAC) Conference last week. Stockam was honored for his 32-year career as airport manager for the Joplin Regional Airport (JLN).

“Steve is a recognized leader in his community. There’s nobody I can think of who deserves this award more.”

“The Lifetime Achievement Award conveys the highest honor and appreciation for the individual’s vision, dedication, professionalism and hard work to advance aviation in the state of Missouri,” said MAMA’s president Dave Schaumburg, at the awards banquet.

While at the Joplin airport, Stockam played a pivotal role in the airport's growth and development. He worked directly with airlines, tenants, regulatory agencies and other city departments to make sure the airport operated at peak efficiency. His leadership was especially crucial during the 2011 EF5 tornado devastation, when he helped the city recover and expand its commercial services.

“Steve is a recognized leader in his community,” said John Bales, an active member of MAMA. “He mentored us, we learned from him, and he is someone we look up to. There’s nobody I can think of who deserves this award more.”

After his retirement, Stockam joined Olsson in 2022 as an aviation business development specialist. His connections and expertise have significantly contributed to Olsson’s airport portfolio, and he continues to make a positive impact on the aviation community.

“Steve is an invaluable part of our team, and this recognition is so well-deserved,” said Brian Coomes, an Olsson airport lead engineer who works closely with Stockam. “His dedication and passion for aviation continue to elevate and inspire those who work with him.”

Stockam served as the acting chairman of the State Aviation Advisory Committee for 17 years, was a national policy board member of the U.S. Contract Tower Association (USCTA), and an executive board member of MoSAC. He was an original member of MAMA and served as its president from 1995-1997.