The Gerry Bruno Scholarship

In 2016, ACI-NA/CAC and InterVISTAS Consulting Inc. established the Gerry Bruno Scholarship in recognition, appreciation and to celebrate the leadership and innovation of Gerry Bruno, the founding CEO of InterVISTAS and a respected leader in commercial airport management.

The scholarship is intended to foster similar qualities in tomorrow’s leaders. Mr. Bruno’s career in aviation includes government service, airport marketing and strategic planning, aviation policy and aviation consulting. His approach to addressing problems and issues has always been based on solid analysis, understanding the law and policy context of aviation in society, innovative thinking and collaborative advocacy for aviation. Mr. Bruno has had a lifelong appreciation of the role of education throughout his career, starting with a bachelor’s degree, earning a master’s later in his career and supplementing these with airport specific studies and accreditation. This scholarship recognizes the significant contributions of InterVISTAS former CEO.

Working in partnership with Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA) and the Canadian Airports Council (CAC), this scholarship seeks to recognize students with high academic achievement who are working toward a career in aviation management, planning, marketing and/or policy. Eligibility is to students registered in any accredited Canadian university or college program. The scholarship program recognizes the importance of the highly specialized education necessary for an individual to receive to fill the extremely complex and multi-disciplined role of being an aviation professional.

Student applicants can be enrolled in programs in Economics, Business, Statistics, Planning, Geography or other disciplines applicable to aviation planning, management, policy, and/or marketing.

Applicants must demonstrate a career goal in aviation, with evidence in the form of the following:

• A required student statement of career interest and goals and their interest in overall transportation policy.
• Some academic achievement in aviation (e.g. a term paper on an aviation theme), or a list of courses with aviation themes (e.g. transportation economics or geography, urban/regional planning, aeronautical engineering, etc.). However, not having taken an aviation specialty course does not necessarily make a student ineligible for consideration, but the applicant must indicate a choice of courses that are consistent with building core skills for a career in aviation.
• An internship or employment in an aviation or tourism related job can be submitted to enhance the applicant’s submission, but is not required for eligibility.
• Demonstration of academic excellence with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0-point scale, or equivalent if the applicant’s university uses the British 5 point scale.

The Gerry Bruno Scholarship is also intended to encourage the core skills of leadership, innovation, solid analysis and policy awareness and promote excellence in the educational areas necessary for success. The winners of the Scholarship will be announced at the Airports Canada Conference & Exposition every two years (next Scholarship will be awarded in Spring 2025).

Gerry Bruno Scholarship Information and Criteria

Gerry Bruno Scholarship Application Form

 

Previous Gerry Bruno Scholarship Recipients

David Cojocar – University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC (2017)
“Being awarded the scholarship in 2017 has helped my career in several ways. The financial support allowed me to dedicate more time to my studies and explore future career options within aviation.

In addition to that, I was able to expand my network of industry professionals at the award ceremony during the Airports Canada Conference in 2017. I met many of the top leaders in Canadian aviation at the conference, several of whom generously offered their guidance for my career path.

The award also directly contributed to securing my first full-time job out of university. It helped me further my relationship with award co-founder InterVISTAS Consulting where I worked as an airport consultant for several years.

I have since found myself on the airline side of the industry, where I regularly speak to the same industry leaders I met at the award ceremony in 2017. Despite years passing, I have remained connected to ACI-NA/CAC, most recently participating as a panelist at the 2022 Marketing & Communications Conference.

The Gerry Bruno Award will expose you to a unique network of individuals and opportunities that will help further your career in aviation – I would highly recommend that any interested student submit an application.”

Shikaeb Rahi Soratgar – Seneca College, Toronto, ON (2019)

Nyssa Hansen – University of Fraser Valley, BC (2023)
“The scholarship allowed me to focus on my studies without the added stress of financial burdens. The support gave me the peace of mind to dedicate more time and energy to my coursework and extracurricular activities, including my work in the aviation nonprofit space, which greatly enhanced my academic experience.

More importantly, it gave me the opportunity to attend the 2023 CAC event. The conference featured educational panels that I was able to directly apply to my studies, deepening my understanding of the aviation industry and broadening my knowledge in several areas of focus. 

Beyond the educational value, the event also offered an invaluable networking opportunity. I was able to make lasting professional and personal connections with individuals who share similar passions in aviation. In fact, I currently work closely with several individuals I met at the conference in the nonprofit space, and these relationships have had a significant impact on my personal and professional growth.“