Multiple Reports: Fuller Will Not Renew Contract

Updated Report, 1008 ET, 02.28.13: AOPA has confirmed the reports of Fuller's imminent departure from the leadership at AOPA, issuing the following press release, confirming the story that ANN broke nearly an hour ago.

AOPA Statement: Fuller To Step Down As AOPA President And CEO

Board of Trustees to Conduct National Search for Successor

Craig L. Fuller, president and chief executive officer of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the world's largest aviation association, has notified AOPA's Board of Trustees of his intent to step down from his position and from the Board. He plans to remain in his current role until a successor is ready to assume the position. The Board will conduct a national search for his successor. Following the decision to leave AOPA, the succession process was developed by working together, said William C. Trimble III, Chairman of the Board.
Fuller, who took office January 1, 2009 and is only the fourth president of AOPA since the association's founding nearly 75 years ago, will assist with the search for a new president and the transition to a new administration.

In conveying his decision to the Board of Trustees, Fuller, 62, noted that he made a five-year commitment to AOPA when he was appointed president. As he approaches the fulfillment of that commitment, he said he is looking forward to taking on new challenges and opportunities. "I have flown since age 17, and flying has been part of my life ever since. I will always be grateful to the AOPA Board of Trustees for having given me the opportunity to serve the general aviation community and AOPA's 385,000 members in a leadership position," said Fuller. "It has been a privilege to work with my colleagues on a strong set of initiatives that have built on the decades of hard work by AOPA Trustees and members of the management team. With the end of my five-year commitment approaching, this is an appropriate time for me to consider new opportunities and allow the Board time to recruit a successor.

"The process of finding a new leader can now go forward as all of us at AOPA roll up our sleeves to fight the day to day battles that seem to keep coming our way," said Fuller. "The team will not miss a beat this year as we lay the groundwork for the future."

"During his more than four years as president of AOPA, Craig served nobly and professionally. He has advocated strongly on behalf of the general aviation community in Washington, built bridges with the other aviation associations, improved member communications and generated promising ideas for tomorrow," said Trimble. "We recognize the importance of finding a leader who can continue to inspire all of us in these challenging times. We are focused on finding a leader who shares our vision and convictions as well as the talent and capabilities necessary to achieve our goals."

Trimble, who has chaired the AOPA Board of Trustees since 2005, said the Board will form a search committee shortly and retain an executive search firm to begin looking for AOPA's new leader. 

Original Report, 0934 ET, 02.28.13: Normally, we do not break news on rumors... but multiple sources, with solid bona fides, are reporting to ANN that Craig Fuller is apparently ready to step down from the leadership at AOPA when his contract expires later in the year.

After a number of years of tumultuous leadership, declining membership stats, and strong concerns about the financial health and dealings of the organization, the future of Fuller's reign at AOPA has been called into question, increasingly, over the past year.

Calls to AOPA this morning have not been returned but an operator admitted that AOPA's Communications Director, Katie Pribyl was on her way to a meeting and would be sending out a press release as soon as it concluded.

Recent questions to AOPA about the status of the Fuller contract have been met with refusals from AOPA's Communications department to even discuss the matter so the status of it all has been somewhat mysterious, of late, though recent rumblings indicated that AOPA senior advisers were increasingly concerned over the direction and mission of the organization... a position echoed by calls by this organization over the past year, citing a need for greater transparency, a more focused mission and stronger consultation with the true needs of the aviation community -- as expressed by same.

We'll have more information for you as the situation develops. 

FMI: www.aopa.org