James Russell Spray, who previously served as president and CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines USA, will receive the Salute to Excellence Bell Lifetime Achievement Award during Heli-Expo this year. Spray is receiving the award in recognition of more than five decades of service to the helicopter industry. The award will be presented at the Salute to Excellence Awards Dinner on February 28 in Las Vegas.

Before retiring, Spray dedicated 53 years to the helicopter industry. He served as a helicopter pilot for Pacific Airmotive and trained approximately 500 pilots in his role as a helicopter flight instructor for Bell Helicopter and Southern Airways. Before becoming chairman and CEO of Rocky Mountain Holdings, Spray served as v-p of medical operations for the company, increasing the air medical services division from seven helicopters and $3 million in annual revenue to more than $100 million in revenue per year with 90 aircraft.

Spray was also president and CEO of Safran from 2003 until his retirement in 2016. During his time with Safran, the number of employees doubled while multiple new facilities were opened. The company also received two military contracts and developed or strengthened relationships with Airbus and Bell Helicopter. While working at Safran, Spray also held the positions of president and CEO of Microturbo, Turbomeca Canada, and Sagem Avionics.

He further served as chairman of HAI’s Emergency Medical Services Committee (now known as Air Medical Services). Spray’s other achievements included serving as co-sponsor of the American Society of Hospital Based Emergency Air Medical Systems (now called the Association of Air Medical Services).