Chantilly Air
Hagerstown, MD – On November 6th The 20th Annual Aviation Education & Career Expo, titled “Dreams with Wings” will be hosted by Rider Jet Center, bringing together over 1,300 aspiring high school and college students ages 16–22, from across the Mid-Atlantic region and the nation.
The event will provide a dynamic platform for students to engage with more than 65 leading aviation organizations—including universities, airlines, private aviation companies, and representatives from medical, military, and law enforcement agencies.
Students will have the opportunity to apply for over $180,000 in scholarships, bringing the Expo’s total scholarship awards to more than $2.1 million since its inception in 2005.
Julie O’Brien, Director of Business Development for Chantilly Air in Manassas, Virginia, and Expo Co-Founder, reflects on the event’s lasting impact:
“The Expo has been my ongoing labor of love, for an industry that has given so much to me. This one-day experience inspires the next generation with opportunities that last a lifetime. We have the ability, in one day, to mentor students, and expose them to an industry that will never fade. We have taken this event to new heights through our amazing partners at Rider Jet Center, Paragon Aviation Group, and Chantilly Air.”
The Expo offers a unique opportunity for students to interact directly with professionals and explore the multitude of career paths within the aviation and aerospace industries. Attendees will engage with keynote presenters, live demonstrations, and interactive sessions designed to inspire and inform future leaders in flight.
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Keynote Speakers and Presenters will include:
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Ben Rider, Owner of Rider Jet Center
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Brinnay Nickola, former scholarship winner
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Samantha Mitchell, 1st female aircraft maintenance technician at JFK International Airport and advocate for Black Women in Aviation
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Kristine Yaroshuck, Female Pilot for Maryland State Police
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US Army Golden Knights Parachute Demonstration Team
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Washington County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit and Demonstration
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Jamail Larkins, Entrepreneur, motivational speaker, Aviation Start Founder
In addition to scholarships, students will have the opportunity to apply for internships (on site with vendors), explore aircraft on static display, see live demonstrations and utilize flight simulators.
A special thank you to our many corporate and in-kind sponsors that truly make a difference with their donations, time and resources: Academies of Loudoun, Advanced Aviation Group, Aero Elite Flight Training, Airline Pilots Association, Int’l, AOPA, Air Methods, Avemco, Avfuel, Aviation Influence, Avyation Labs, Bravo Flight Training, Capitol Technology University, Chantilly Air, Chick-Fil-A, Cirrus Aircraft, Commonwealth Digital, Community Foundation of Washington County, COSTCO, Creating Lift, Culligan Water, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Fairfax County Economic Development, First Chime In-Flight Catering, Good Morning Frederick, Harris Teeter, Loves, Hoxton Planning and Management, Marywood University, George Mason University, Global Air Drone Academy, GWBAA, Hagerstown Airport, Hagerstown Aviation Museum, LeRoy W. Homer Jr. Foundation, Ken’s Automotive, Open Air Flight Training, Paragon Aviation Detailing, Paragon Aviation Group Network, Paramount Business Jets, Pathway Vendors, LLC, Pittsburgh Institute of Aeronautics, Private Air Media, Republic Airways, Rider Jet Center, Saint Francis University, Sierra Nevada Corporation, South Mountain Aviation, The Grille at Runways, The Hoxton Agency, The Imagination Center, Toth Financial, Unmanned Safety Institute, Vaughn College, Visit Hagerstown, Washington County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, WaWa, and Women in Aviation.
About the Aviation Education & Career Expo
The Aviation Education & Career Expo is one of the nation’s premier aviation education events, founded in 2005 by aviation professionals Julie O’Brien and Sarah Thompson. This event is dedicated to inspiring and equipping the next generation of aviation and aerospace leaders. For more information, visit paragonaviationgroup.com/aviation-education-career-expo/. Registration is open until filled with limited space.
About Paragon Aviation Group
Paragon Aviation Group is part of the globally operating Luxaviation Group, renowned for its excellence in a comprehensive range of business aviation services. Luxaviation specializes in aircraft management for private and commercial aircraft, private air charter services, and the management and operation of VIP passenger terminals at over 140 facilities worldwide.
Media Contact:
Name: Julie O’Brien
Title: Director of Business Development
Email: julieobrien@chantillyair.com
Phone: 703.822.7603
Learn more about Chantilly Air:
Instagram: @chantillyair
Facebook: @chantillyair
LinkedIn: @chantillyair
Threads: @chantillyair