Created in 1993, the Regional Airline Executive of the Year award has been presented to the top airline manager in the regional airline industry. An independent panel of judges selects each year’s winner based on a set of criteria, which includes exemplary leadership, innovative thinking and superior management skills.

According to Tom Smith, editor of Regional Aviation News, the publication honored Leach "for innovative leadership and for guiding Trans States Airlines through difficult economic times." In the May 16^th issue of Regional Aviation News one of the judges said, " this is an airline that has weathered all of the changes of a partner airline effectively. Trans States has held on. It has been pretty creative responding to all the various changes and it has continued to be profitable."

"Recognition of Trans States by Regional Aviation News is a validation of our continued strategy of simplicity, low cost and flexibility while delivering a high quality product for our major airline partners" said Leach. "All of our employees are directly responsible for making Trans States a successful airline. In today’s difficult operating environment our position as a low cost high quality regional airline will assist us in bringing solutions and value to our partner airlines."

Trans States Holdings is a large regional airline holding company that operates Trans States Airlines and GoJet Airlines and serves the Midwest and Eastern U.S. Trans States Holdings employs over 2,000 aviation professionals with service to 90 cities in 37 states and more than 440 daily flights. Trans States Airlines is also the recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration's Certificate of Excellence Diamond Award seven years in a row.