Safety & Security

Airlines for America Announces 2025 Nuts and Bolts Awards Recipients

February 28, 2025

WASHINGTON, February 28, 2025 — Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, has announced the 59th annual A4A Engineering, Maintenance and Materiel Council (EMMC) Nuts and Bolts Awards recipients.

This year’s awards go to a couple of aviation professionals who are standouts in their specialties:

• Paul Schmitz, Southwest Airlines Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) 
• Greg Colgan, CEO, MRO Holdings, Inc. 

The Nuts and Bolts Awards recognize individuals who demonstrate outstanding service and achievements in the engineering or maintenance fields within the commercial aviation industry. The awards will be presented during Aviation Week Network’s MRO Americas conference in Atlanta, occurring April 8-10.

Paul Schmitz

Paul has been a dedicated member of the Southwest Airlines (SWA) team for over 30 years and is admired as one of the most skilled and accomplished AMTs in the company. His expertise in aircraft maintenance is unparalleled, and his unwavering commitment to the safety and efficiency of SWA’s operations sets him apart as a true leader in the field.

Paul’s passion for his craft goes beyond just fixing airplanes—he is deeply engaged with various Tech Ops teams and has consistently gone above and beyond to share his knowledge. He has been a stalwart mentor to fellow AMTs, teaching them not only technical skills but also best practices that enhance their ability to keep the SWA fleet safe and running smoothly. His dedication to continuous improvement has and continues to be a great asset to SWA’s Tech Ops department and the company as a whole.

In addition to his role as a mentor, Paul plays a key role in collaborating with manufacturers to improve troubleshooting procedures, with the goal of ensuring that the repair of aircraft is more efficient and accessible for all AMTs. His input has had a significant impact on simplifying complex procedures, directly contributing to both safety and operational excellence.

In every aspect of his work, Paul exemplifies professionalism, skill and leadership. “Paul shows a selfless spirit and tenacity that embodies a standard to which AMTs aspire,” said Bob Ireland, A4A VP-Safety, Maintenance and Engineering, “and his work with the next generation of AMTs reinforces that this recognition is well-deserved.” 

Greg Colgan

Greg Colgan leads MRO Holdings, one of the largest MRO organizations in the world. His organization is an essential part of the US airlines’ ability to accomplish heavy maintenance, and he continues to deliver a world class scope of capabilities and services to the aviation market. 

Greg does an outstanding job of aligning the company’s strategy with the needs of his customers to better deliver long-term value creation and excellent quality. The company has continued to grow both their geographical and fleet footprint in response to the ever-expanding maintenance needs of the major airlines.

“Greg has made major contributions to this industry, and his organization is a vital part of the aviation maintenance ecosystem,” Ireland said. “Most importantly, the largest testament to his commitment is the fact that MRO Holdings is consistently thought of as one of the most sought-after maintenance providers by their customers.”