Last week, we reported the recently-appointed CEO for the
business aviation group, Shelley Longmuir, abruptly left that
organization, along with several other officers. What's going on?
Below is a letter from board chairman Daniel Baldwin:
Dear NBAA Member Representative:
Last week, following several days of intense deliberations,
NBAA’s Board of Directors decided to seek new leadership for
the Association, resulting in the departure of Shelley Longmuir and
Bob Warren’s resignation from the Association’s staff.
This obviously was not an easy or simple decision, but a bold one
in my view, consistent with the Board’s responsibility to
manage the affairs of the Association in the best interest of the
Membership.
The Board has asked that
I serve as Interim President until a new President is appointed.
For this role, I intend to be on site at NBAA’s Washington
office and readily available to Association management. As I write
this, I have just completed a morning of meetings with the
Association’s senior staff and Operations Department
personnel. Despite my six years on the Board as preparation, it is
remarkable to learn at this level of the extraordinary range of
activities your Association is involved in on your behalf. Much
good and necessary work is ongoing, and the staff is positively
engaged and passionate.
Perhaps understandably, the staff is concerned that the
Membership is concerned – both with how NBAA is weathering
abrupt change, as well as for NBAA’s future.
You should know that this is a resilient group of professionals,
most with very long service to the Association. In part because of
that experience, the business of NBAA continues uninterrupted, with
some shifting of responsibilities. It’s a new week, and the
mood is positive and hopeful. As somebody said this morning, "We
just don’t have a lot of time to stand around. There’s
a lot to do."
As for the future, a Search Committee headed by NBAA Vice
Chairman Ken Emerick already has begun working to identify a new
NBAA President. Until that appointment is made, please know that
the important work of NBAA goes forward. Leadership transitions
present opportunities along with challenges. I ask for your
consideration and patience as we focus our efforts to best serve
you, and if you do have questions or concerns, please contact us.
Although this is only my first day in this role, I know that the
Board and staff are certain that NBAA’s best days are yet to
come.
With best regards,
Donald E. Baldwin Chairman of the Board Interim President