One of GA's True Leaders Sets A Course For Her Constituency's Survival

Like each year before it, the 2013 AEA Convention and trade show had much to boast about... great news, exciting product unveilings and no end of interesting products and people to feature.

However; it was the force and reason of some of the political messaging put forth by AEA Leadership that had many of the attendees talking for much of the event.

One of the most intriguing and important of this year's events was the annual address to AEA membership by AEA president, Paula Derks. Paula's message was simple... that while the industry had many challenges to deal with, that it was time to get back to work and perform as professionally as possible in these difficult times. The theme, "Let’s Get To Work!", was heard far and wide and repeated throughout the week by everyone from new members to old timers who understood, simply enough, that much of the fortunes of the avionics industry rested on their shoulders and their intent to service the current industry downturn.

As president of the Aircraft Electronics Association, Paula Derks presides over the international trade organization that provides regulatory representation, training and member services to more than 1,300 general aviation electronics entities in 43 countries around the globe. In coordination with the AEA board of directors, Derks’ position includes long-range planning and budgeting, representing the AEA at industry events, and ensuring the strategic objectives of the association are realized. She is the publisher of Avionics News, the association’s monthly magazine. Derks received a Bachelor of Science in public relations and a minor in journalism from the University of Central Missouri. She began her career with the AEA as managing editor of Avionics News, and became AEA’s director of communications in 1990, before being named president in 1996.

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