Also Becomes New Managing Editor for Avionics News
AEA President Paula
Derks has announced the appointment of a new director of
communications for AEA and managing editor of Avionics News,
effective Jan. 26. Trisha Drape joins the AEA staff in
Independence, Mo., in the communications role and will work with
Avionics News Editor Rachel Ronan and Derks, publisher, on the
monthly magazine.
"As AEA continues to broaden its visibility in the general aviation
electronics industry, Trisha's previous experience as editor of the
award-winning Lee's Summit Journal and her active involvement in
community organizations will play a vital role in our future
plans," Derks said.
A native of Las Vegas, Nev., Drape assisted with the 2004 AEA
Convention in that city and immediately became interested in the
avionics industry and AEA.
"I was so impressed with the professionalism and dedication of the
entire AEA staff when I met them all two years ago, that when this
opportunity arose to play an active role with the organization, I
jumped at the chance to come onboard and learn more about this
exciting and growing industry, and lend my experience to AEA,"
Drape said.
"I was equally impressed with the members of AEA I met at the
convention, and look forward to meeting many more members in the
near future and developing relationships with them through
AEA."
For the past eight
years, Drape has worked for Knight Ridder Newspapers, first as a
writer and editor for The Kansas City Star, and most recently as
the editor of its Lee's Summit community newspaper. In the five
years she served as its editor, Drape won many individual awards
from various newspaper industry associations, and the Lee's Summit
Journal was named the best weekly newspaper in the state of
Missouri.
Prior to her tenure with Knight Ridder, Drape and her husband
began a start-up newspaper in Blue Springs, Mo., which they ran for
seven years. Drape's experience also includes producing
publications for the Kansas City Royals Greater KC Day, the Kansas
Speedway, Chambers of Commerce, Convention & Visitors Bureaus
and other businesses and organizations.
She is a member of various organizations, and also is involved in
numerous civic and charitable organizations, having served as a
public relations volunteer for a nonprofit school for children with
developmental disabilities.
"I believe my involvement with a number of organizations and
businesses will serve me well in my role with AEA and will be of
benefit to our members in helping grow their businesses," Drape
said.
"I look forward to hearing from AEA members."
Drape and her husband, Tim, who works for The Kansas City Star,
have three children, and have lived in Lee's Summit, Mo., for 13
years.