AINsight: Leadership Lessons from Aviation Hall of Famers | Aviation International News

AINsight: Leadership Lessons from Aviation Hall of Famers

Julie Clark and “Fig” Newton share insights for aviation’s next generation

Newton, Clark, and Barden at 2025 NAHF event — 2025 National Aviation Hall of Fame enshrinees Gen. Lloyd W. “Fig” Newton and Julie Clark with author and Aviation Personnel International CEO Sheryl Barden.

By Sheryl Barden • AIN Contributor

September 26, 2025

Last Friday, I attended what many call the “Oscars of Aviation”—the National Aviation Hall of Fame ceremony. Among the enshrinees were my friends Julie Clark and Lloyd W. “Fig” Newton.

While their paths in aviation could not be more different, both broke barriers in the mid-1970s. Julie became one of the first female captains for a major airline. Fig made history as the first African-American pilot to fly with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Sheryl Barden

AIN Contributor

About the author

Sheryl Barden, CAM, is CEO of Aviation Personnel International, the longest-running recruiting and HR consulting firm dedicated to business aviation. A recognized thought leader on workforce and leadership issues, she is an NBAA CAM Fellow, past member of NBAA’s board of directors and advisory council, and recipient of NBAA’s John P. “Jack” Doswell Award for lifetime achievement and service to business aviation.

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