Newsroom

Mark Sullivan Recognized with UTC Lyman Award

December 06, 2007

Mark Sullivan, who recently retired from United Technologies Corp. after 26 years as a communications professional, is the winner of the 2007 Lauren D. Lyman Award for outstanding achievement in aviation public relations.

Sullivan retired from the company in 2006 after spending 17 years as the chief media spokesman for UTC's Pratt & Whitney division. During his tenure there, Sullivan created the popular "Engines 101" course for journalists and others to better understand engine manufacturing and operations. Prior to that, he served as the head of communications for Hamilton Standard, now Hamilton Sundstrand, where he was in charge of media relations, employee communications, advertising, executive communications and community relations. Sullivan also served previously as a state house correspondent for the Associated Press in Hartford, Conn., and as a supervisor of AP broadcast services in Connecticut.

The award is named after Lauren "Deac" Lyman, a Pulitzer-prize winning aviation reporter with the New York Times who later had a distinguished career as a public relations executive with United Aircraft, a predecessor to the United Technologies Corp. First awarded in 1972, the prize goes to a journalist or public relations professional in aviation who exhibits Lyman's high standard of excellence.

UTC is the long-time sponsor of the award. "Mark has always been a consummate communications professional. His exhaustive knowledge of engines and the industry has been invaluable to UTC and the entire aerospace community," said Peter Murphy, director of worldwide public relations for UTC. "He truly represents the standards and skills that Deac Lyman personified. We are proud to honor him with this award."

Sullivan received the award during AIA's 43rd annual Year-End Review and Forecast luncheon Thursday.

Past Winners of the Lyman Award: David North (2006) Walter Boyne (2005), Pierre Sparaco (2002), Jim Holahan (2000), Carole Shifrin (1999),William Schoneberger (1998), Arthur Reed (1996), Jim Woolsey (1994), Philip Geddes (1993), Joseph Murphy (1992), Edward Kolcum (1991), John Taylor (1990), Philip Klass (1989), Robert Serling (1988), Howard Benedict (1987), Kenneth Weaver (1986), Dick Witkin (1985), C.V. Glines (1984), Leighton Collins (1982), Marvin Miles (1981), Eric Bramley (1980), Jerry Hannifin (1979), Devon Francis (1978), George Haddaway (1977), Vern Haugland (1976), Willis Player (1975), Bob Hotz (1974), and Wayne Parrish (1973).