Retiring From AOPA, V.P. Of Airport Advocacy Bill Dunn Launches New Company

One of the nation’s top general aviation (GA) airport advocates is now available for hire by the GA industry.

Bill Dunn (pictured in file photo), airport advocacy VP for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association’s (AOPA) for 23 years, has launched Aviation Strategies, LLC, a new company helps airport sponsors, GA pilots and aviation business owners navigate complicated airport issues that often precede draconian restrictions or outright airport closures. The company is focused exclusively on issues at GA airports.
 
Dunn led AOPA’s national airport policy from 1991 through 2014.  He created the successful AOPA Airport Support Network in the mid-1990s and after the terrorist attacks in 2001 built the Association’s Airport Watch Program to blunt Transportation Security Administration mandates that would have crippled GA. 
 
Dunn is perhaps best known for his hands-on efforts to keep the airports open, including his 2003 orchestration of local GA interests to keep developers from closing historic Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, Florida.  In 2006 and again in 2008, he worked with local advocates in Oceanside, Calif., to elect pro-airport members of the city council and head off closure of that airport.

Former AOPA President Phil Boyer praised Dunn, saying that few if any airport advocates have as deep an understanding of airport issues, airport regulations, and the complexities of dealing with airport neighbors at the national, state, and local levels.  “Bill is tenacious, knowledgeable, dedicated and knows airports; their issues, assets, problems and opportunities,” said Boyer.  “I always referred to him as our airport “bulldog” who knew how to stay the course, build consensus and deal with the public. Bill is someone I would surely want on my side.”
 
Regional Airline Association president Roger Cohen said, “Bill has earned the respect and trust of decision makers in Washington, D.C., and across the nation. He possesses a keen sense of both broad public policy as well as the ‘micro politics’ of any given situation. His personal integrity gives him the strength to stand behind his convictions.”

Company specialties include:

• Airport Law & Legal Resources
• Airport Rules, Regulations, & Minimum Standards
• FAA Grant, Airport Compliance & Disputes
• Airport Rules, Regulations, & Standards
• Appraisal Services
• Issues Advocacy
• Tenant & Community Relations
• Airport Land Use & Protection
• Local & State Government Representation
• Legislative Initiatives
• Government Relations
• Coalition Building

As principal of Aviation Strategies, LLC, Dunn is offering his expertise to communities, local pilots, airport boards and aviation small business owners faced with serious airport issues.

FMI: www.avstrat.com