Former Government Official Cited For Saving Post-9/11 Aviation Dollars

The Board of Directors of NBAA has announced the selection of veteran aviation executive Shelley A. Longmuir as the next president of the organization representing more than 7,300 companies that operate general aviation aircraft as an aid to their businesses or are involved with business aviation.

Longmuir has more than a decade of experience in domestic and international aviation, most recently at United Airlines, where she was senior vice president of international/regulatory and governmental affairs for the world's second-largest commercial carrier.

"We are excited that Shelley is bringing her experience, leadership and vision to our association," said NBAA Chairman George Saling. "With the challenges facing business aviation today, it is especially important that NBAA continue to be a powerful advocate for our members and the entire business aviation community."

"NBAA's role is especially important today as the industry grapples with issues of security and access to airports in the post-9/11 environment," Saling said. "Shelley's background and knowledge of the political and regulatory arenas, as well as her extensive international experience, will be great assets as we work together on these issues."

Longmuir will be appointed by the Board on June 24. She will succeed Jack Olcott.

Tough Selection Process

"Shelley brings tremendous talents to NBAA and was selected from among nearly 100 highly qualified candidates," said Don Baldwin, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chairman of the Selection Committee. "Her ability to work effectively with people across the political and professional spectrum, her proven track record of leading effective coalitions, and her natural optimism, make her the right person at the right time for NBAA."

While at United Airlines, Longmuir led a team of more than 50 attorneys, economists and lobbyists responsible for implementing United's regulatory and governmental affairs agenda and dealing with government agencies and regulatory authorities in the United States and worldwide.

Longmuir helped United minimize the impact of new federally mandated security-related costs for commercial carriers and, with United's Washington team, worked to secure more than $1 billion in tax savings and compensation following the September 11 tragedies.

Before joining United in 1993, Longmuir held positions with the US departments of Transportation (DOT), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Justice (DOJ).

At DOT, she served as chief of staff for the Presidential Task Force on Hurricane Andrew Recovery and was honored by then-Secretary of Transportation Andrew H. Card with a special achievement award for outstanding federal service for her work on the hurricane relief effort.

She also received recognition for her work at HUD, where she held a number of positions, including deputy assistant secretary of housing, deputy FHA commissioner, and deputy general counsel to the Secretary.

FMI: www.nbaa.org