Former FAA Official Helped Negotiate US-EU Av-Safety Agreement

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) announced Wednesday the hiring of Paul H. Feldman as Vice President, Government Affairs.

Feldman comes to GAMA from international public affairs and lobbying group APCO Worldwide, where he worked with clients -- including GAMA -- both in the US and Europe on government relations, policy, and strategy.

Prior to joining APCO, Feldman was based in Brussels as the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) director for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In this capacity, he represented the secretary of transportation and FAA administrator on all aviation issues for these regions. He was also responsible for leading the US in negotiations with the European Commission on a new aviation safety bilateral recognizing the establishment of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which was signed last week.

During his tenure with the FAA, he also served in a temporary capacity as assistant administrator for international aviation. In addition, before becoming director in Brussels, Paul served as FAA’s senior representative to the European Union (EU) and helped reached agreement with the EU on the resolution of the hushkit issue. In addition, he served in the office of FAA Administrator Jane Garvey and FAA Deputy Administrator Linda Hall Daschle and was named deputy director of the National Civil Aviation Review Commission, chaired by former Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta.

Prior to going to the FAA, Paul was the Democratic staff director for the Subcommittee on Aviation in the U.S. House of Representatives. He started his career working for Congressman David E. Price (D-NC) in several capacities, including chief of staff and legislative director.

"Paul is a wonderful complement to the GAMA team," said GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce. "With significant domestic and international experience in many of our industry’s most pressing issues such as security, safety, and the environment, coupled with his ability to advocate complex legislative issues both in the U.S. and Europe, Paul will be an incredible asset to the general aviation industry."

FMI: www.gama.aero