BVA Community Recognition Program

Alec Liberman
Inducted in 2026

Alec (LN) has been a part of the BVA community for more than a decade, contributing across a wide range of roles that have helped preserve the organization’s history, support its members, and strengthen its sense of community. Perhaps his most enduring contribution has been his work with the Logan Informer. For more than ten years, Alec has served as its editor and publisher, helping document the events, accomplishments, personalities, and traditions that make up BVA’s story. Through that work, he has provided the community with far more than a monthly newsletter; he has helped create an ongoing historical record of the organization and the people within it. Alec’s contributions extend well beyond the Informer. He has served as BVA’s Treasurer since 2019, providing steady administrative support to the organization, and has previously contributed as an ATC mentor. Drawing on his real-world aviation experience as a Certified Flight Instructor, he also helped co-host BVA’s Ground School seminar series, sharing practical aviation knowledge with members across a variety of instructional topics. Over the years, Alec has also played an important role in many of the traditions and smaller touches that give BVA its personality. His past management of Screenshot of the Month helped sustain one of the community’s longest-running engagement features, while his many poems...especially his memorable holiday pieces...have brought humor, creativity, and character to BVA throughout the years. Through his leadership, education, storytelling, and steady behind-the-scenes service, Alec has helped preserve both the history and the personality of BVA. His contributions have shaped how the community remembers its past, engages in the present, and carries its traditions forward.

Andrew Miller
Inducted in 2026

Andrew (AM) has been a valued member of BVA for many years, with a legacy defined by mentorship, technical expertise, and an enduring commitment to helping others grow. Long before becoming a real-world FAA air traffic controller, Andrew was already deeply involved in BVA’s ATC community. For more than a decade, he has served as an ATC mentor, helping controllers develop their skills and confidence through one-on-one instruction, seminars, and group training sessions. As his own aviation career advanced, Andrew never stepped away from that role. Instead, he brought his professional experience back to BVA, using real-world knowledge to strengthen the training environment and benefit the next generation of virtual controllers. Andrew has been especially influential in instruction involving radar operations, STARS, and approach control techniques. His seminars and training sessions have helped make complex concepts more approachable, practical, and relevant, while his willingness to answer questions has made him a trusted resource for controllers at every stage of development. Just as important as what Andrew teaches is the way he teaches it. His consistently positive attitude, enthusiasm, and genuine interest in helping others have made him not only an effective mentor, but also a friend and source of encouragement to many throughout the community. Beyond controller training, Andrew’s passion for military aviation has also helped support the formation and continued success of BVA Special Operations, expanding the variety and depth of aviation experiences available to members. Through his mentorship, professional expertise, generosity, and enthusiasm, Andrew has continuously reinvested in the community that helped shape his own aviation journey. His influence can be seen in the controllers he has trained, the programs he has strengthened, and the culture of learning and camaraderie he continues to foster within BVA.

Sean Doyle
Inducted in 2026

Sean (DY) has been an active and influential member of the BVA community for more than a decade, contributing his creativity, technical skill, and enthusiasm across many different areas. A longtime controller and consistent presence within the community, Sean has played an important role in strengthening both BVA’s culture and the variety of experiences available to our members. His aircraft livery development has helped bring BVA programs and operations to life visually, while his involvement in helping father the formation of BVA Special Operations established a new area of activity within the organization. In particular, Sean was instrumental in renewing interest in civilian special operations throughout Boston ARTCC airspace, including operations inspired by organizations such as Boston MedFlight, the Massachusetts State Police, and DHART. Sean’s contributions have also extended far beyond day-to-day online operations. As a member of the Events Team, he has been a key contributor to the planning and execution of BVA’s annual Boston Tea Party live event. During years when the event faced difficult venue transitions, Sean became an especially valuable resource through his research, flexibility, and ability to help turn plans into action quickly. He has also been a strong contributor to FlightSimExpo and the broader flight simulation community. Most recently, Sean developed "Jetcard", a business aviation application designed to improve the experience of virtual business aviation pilots across the hobby. Throughout all of these efforts, Sean has remained a consistent source of energy, creativity, and morale within BVA. Through his work in special operations, events, technical projects, and community engagement, he has helped make BVA a more dynamic, connected, and enjoyable organization for those who fly and control within it.

Michael Dugan - In Memoriam
Inducted in 2026

Mike Dugan was a quiet but deeply respected member of the BVA community whose intelligence, sharp wit, and willingness to help left a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Though a man of few words, Mike earned the respect of those around him through his knowledge, humor, and unwavering dedication to the community. Mike served BVA as Assistant Facilities Engineer, Webmaster, and ATC Mentor, playing an instrumental role in developing the facility's early technical infrastructure. From maintaining sector files to leading the migration of BVA's website and supporting services to a new server, Mike laid the foundation for many of the web-based systems and tools that future generations would continue to build upon. While Mike's technical contributions were significant, those who knew him remember something even more meaningful—his character. Whether mentoring fellow controllers, solving difficult technical challenges, or delivering a perfectly timed joke, Mike quietly made BVA a better place. Mike passed away in 2015, but his legacy lives on through the technology he helped build, the members he mentored, and the community he helped shape. He will always be remembered as a friend, mentor, and innovator whose impact on BVA continues to this day. Mike's controller operating initials, "DA", were retired following his passing.

Collin Koldoff
Inducted in 2026

Collin (KF) joined VATSIM in 2017, transferring to BVA in 2018, where he quickly combined his passion for air traffic control with his background in Computer Science to help advance the facility's technical capabilities. After serving as a Mentor, Facility Engineer, and ultimately Webmaster, Collin led a remarkable modernization of BVA's web infrastructure from 2022 through 2026. His work transformed the facility's online services, improved the member experience, and established a strong technical foundation that will continue supporting BVA for years to come. Collin's impact extended beyond BVA through his work on ATCTrainer, an innovative training platform that has strengthened controller training throughout VATUSA by providing realistic simulation environments for instructors and students alike. Whether developing software, mentoring fellow controllers, or quietly solving technical challenges behind the scenes, Collin consistently dedicated his time and expertise to improving the community. Following his retirement as Webmaster in 2026, he leaves behind a modern technical foundation that will continue to benefit BVA and its members for years to come.

Ross Carlson
Inducted in 2026
C3 Awarded in 2004

Ross (CN) is one of BVA's longest-standing members, with roots dating back to the early days of SATCO and the formation of VATSIM. Throughout the network's history, Ross has remained a steadfast member of BVA while helping shape VATSIM into the network it is today. Ross has dedicated countless volunteer hours to developing many of the software applications that have become fundamental to virtual air traffic control. As the creator of VRC, VAT-Spy, vPilot, vERAM, vSTARS, TowerTrainer, and CRC, his work has transformed the way controllers and pilots experience the network. These applications continue to serve thousands of users around the world every day. Within BVA, Ross served as Webmaster, developing the facility's early websites and laying the technical foundation that future generations would continue to build upon. Even today, he remains a trusted resource, always willing to lend his expertise to troubleshoot legacy systems, provide technical guidance, and support the community whenever needed. Few individuals have had a greater impact on the day-to-day VATSIM experience than Ross Carlson. Through decades of innovation, generosity, and unwavering commitment, his work has left an immeasurable legacy on both BVA and the global VATSIM community.

Jamsheed Lovelace
Inducted in 2026
C3 Awarded in 2026

Jay, known to many as "Sheed", has been a member of BVA since 2008 and is widely known as one of the community’s most dedicated and recognizable controllers. Over the years, he built a reputation for his tireless commitment to the network and his willingness to support both pilots and fellow controllers. After many years serving the training program as a Mentor, Jay was promoted to Instructor in October 2018, reflecting his longstanding dedication to helping develop new controllers. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Administration Team as Training Administrator in January 2019, where he helped guide BVA’s training program through one of the most challenging periods in the network’s history. Just over a year into his tenure as Training Administrator, the COVID-19 pandemic brought an unprecedented surge in flight simulation activity and controller training demand. Despite limited staffing, Jay worked tirelessly to adapt the training program to meet the needs of a rapidly growing community. Through numerous improvements to training systems and processes, he helped ensure BVA could continue developing controllers while maintaining the high standards the facility is known for. Jay served as Training Administrator until October 2021, leaving a lasting impact on the structure and strength of the program. Even after stepping down from the role, he continues to serve the community as an Instructor, remaining actively involved in training and mentoring controllers to this day. Jay also became well known for his extraordinary dedication behind the radar scope. A frequent participant in Iron Mic challenges and extended controlling sessions—including multiple occasions where he controlled for 24 hours straight—he consistently went above and beyond to provide coverage for pilots across the network. His efforts played a significant role in BVA earning recognition through the Golden Mic Award for Boston Center. Beyond the radar scope, Jay helped bring BVA to a wider audience through his Twitch streaming presence, introducing many members of the flight simulation community to VATSIM and showcasing the professionalism and excitement of BVA controllers. Through his dedication to training, his countless hours supporting the community on the network, and his efforts to share BVA with the broader flight simulation world, Jay has left a lasting and meaningful mark on the BVA community.

Mike Willey
Inducted in 2026
C3 Awarded in 2026

Mike (WY) joined BVA in December 2009 and quickly demonstrated a strong commitment to the community and its training mission. After only nine months as a controller, he joined the training staff as a Mentor in September 2010, reflecting his early dedication to helping others learn and succeed. His contributions to the training program continued to grow in the years that followed. In November 2011, he was promoted to Instructor, and just one year later, in November 2012, he was selected as Training Administrator. In that role, he led BVA’s controller training program until September 2015, helping guide the development of new controllers and shaping the instructional standards that continue to support the facility today. Even after stepping down from the Administration Team, he remained an Instructor through late 2015 and continues to informally mentor and support members of the community to this day. Beyond his formal training roles, Mike has long been recognized as a steady and respected presence on the network. Known to many as BVA’s early morning controller, he is frequently online during the early hours providing ATC service and helping pilots get their day started on the network. Pilots consistently praise his calm and supportive style on frequency, where he often takes the time to guide pilots through procedures and ensure a positive experience. Mike’s contributions to BVA extend well beyond the virtual scope. Over many years, he has been an active participant in Boston Tea Party and other in-person gatherings. He is also a close friend to many in the community and is often seen flying alongside his longtime friend Mark Mayo. Mike has also demonstrated remarkable generosity in supporting the organization, both through significant financial contributions and by donating equipment from his own simulator builds to benefit the community. Taken together, Mike’s contributions both on and off the network reflect the dedication, generosity, and community spirit that have long defined BVA.

Clifton Whitten
Inducted in 2026

Clif (WN) joined BVA in 2008 and quickly became one of the facility’s most dedicated contributors. Over more than fifteen years of involvement, Clif has played a significant role in shaping the community through both leadership and service. Clif joined the Administration Team in 2015 as Events Coordinator, where he helped lead the planning and promotion of BVA's major events and expanded the facility’s presence across the VATSIM network. In 2017, he was selected as Deputy Air Traffic Manager, where he helped oversee the operations and development of the ARTCC. Shortly thereafter, Clif was appointed Air Traffic Manager, serving in the role for five years. During his tenure, he guided the facility through a period of tremendous growth in controller participation and network activity. He successfully navigated the unprecedented surge in membership, controller training demand, and day-to-day operations that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic and the rapid growth of flight simulation. Under his leadership, BVA adapted to this new scale of activity and emerged stronger, setting the facility up for continued success in the years that followed. Across nearly a decade on the Administration Team, Clif helped develop future leaders, supported the facility’s training and events programs, and strengthened the collaborative culture that defines BVA today. Following his service as Air Traffic Manager, Clif continues to support the community as a member of BVA’s Board of Directors, helping guide the organization’s long-term strategic direction and the continued development of its 501(c)(3) nonprofit mission.