Veteran Aviation Association Leader Will Strengthen Voice for
Business Aviation
Wow -- Talk about
breaking news... The Board of Directors of the NBAA has just
announced the selection of experienced aviation association
executive Edward M. Bolen as president and CEO of NBAA, an
organization representing more than 7,600 companies that operate
general aviation aircraft as an aid to their businesses or are
involved with business aviation.
Bolen brings to NBAA a wealth of policy experience and record of
effectiveness in working with high-ranking Federal agency officials
on matters related to the aviation industry. Most recently, Bolen
served as president and CEO of the General Aviation Manufacturers
Association (GAMA), a Washington-based organization representing
more than 50 of the world's leading manufacturers of general
aviation airplanes, engines, avionics and related equipment. As
GAMA president, Bolen worked closely with Capitol Hill staff on a
wide range of aviation issues, and testified regularly at
Congressional hearings.
"Ed has long been recognized as an authority on issues important to
the aviation community," said NBAA Board Chairman, Interim
President and CEO Donald E. Baldwin. "Now, Ed's grasp of policy and
his dynamic, widely respected leadership style will enable us to
better serve the interests of our Members, and give NBAA an even
more powerful voice on the important issues affecting our
constituency."
"Ed is held in high
regard by leaders across the political spectrum for the many
valuable contributions he has made to the aviation industry," said
Board Vice Chairman and Search Committee Director Kenneth E.
Emerick. "His selection from more than 50 outstanding candidates
underscores the Board's belief that he is the right person to build
on NBAA's proud history, and lead it into the future."
"In recent years, our industry has faced many unique and unexpected
challenges," continued Baldwin. "It is all the more important that
NBAA build upon its long-standing role as the primary force for
advancing the cause of business aviation worldwide, and we are
confident that Ed, who has a very deep understanding of business
aviation and its issues, is the right person to lead NBAA in
realizing this vision."
Bolen officially will begin his term on September 7, 2004. He
will succeed Baldwin, who has served as interim president and CEO
since April.
Bolen joined GAMA in 1995 as senior vice president and general
counsel. He was named president and CEO of the organization in
1996. While at GAMA, Bolen enjoyed a strong working relationship
with top officials at the Department of Transportation, the
Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and other government agencies.
Shortly after President
George W. Bush began his term in office, he appointed Bolen to a
12-member Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry.
Bolen has utilized his position on the Commission to advocate for
increased capacity in the national air-transportation system, and
to draw attention to emerging international issues, including the
Europeans' intention to implement the Galileo satellite system, and
the possible impact of that decision upon commercial airlines and
business aviation.
In 2000, Bolen was nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by
the U.S. Senate to serve as a member of the Management Advisory
Council (MAC) to the FAA. Bolen was subsequently named chairman of
the MAC, which provides advice and counsel to the FAA Administrator
on issues affecting the agency and functions as an oversight
resource for management, policy, spending and regulatory matters
under the jurisdiction of the FAA.
Additionally, Bolen serves as an advisor to the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Bolen also holds memberships
on the Aviation Advisory Board of the MITRE Corporation, the Policy
Board of RTCA, Inc., and the Board of Directors at the National
Aeronautic Association.
Prior to joining GAMA, Bolen was majority counsel to the Senate
Committee on Labor and Human Resources. He also served as
legislative director for U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum (R-KS) and
was a key figure in crafting the General Aviation Reauthorization
Act of 1994.
Bolen received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the
University of Kansas. He is a graduate of the Tulane University
School of Law and holds a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown
University Law Center. Bolen, a recreational pilot, lives with
his wife Elizabeth and their two sons, John and Robert, in
Bethesda, MD.
AOPA's Phil Boyer Comments
"I have worked with and
alongside Ed Bolen for most of my tenure as AOPA's President; first
on Capitol Hill and then as peers in the association world. Ed's
Hill staff experience and his background representing the general
aviation manufacturers have produced an outstanding and very
capable advocate for aviation. He has built an excellent
reputation, and I respect him tremendously. It will be a pleasure
to work even closer with him in his new assignment."