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Bruce was sworn in as Vice Chairman of the NTSB in 2018. Prior to joining the NTSB, he was with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association from 1992 to 2014, where he served as Executive Director of the Air Safety Foundation until 2010, and then as President of the AOPA Foundation and Air Safety Institute until he retired in 2014. Early in his aviation career, Bruce worked for Cessna Aircraft Company, where he promoted general aviation through the management of its Air Age Education Department. He also worked as an associate editor for Flying Magazine before moving to FlightSafety International as its first product marketing manager.
Joseph W. Brown is Chairman of Hartzell Propeller Inc. and a principal of its parent company, Tailwind Technologies Inc., a holding company that acquires aviation technology businesses, including Hartzell Engine Technologies, Aerospace Welding, and Quality Aircraft Accessories. Tailwind companies serve the global aerospace market, including general aviation, commercial aviation, rotorcraft, and military segments. Brown, a pilot, is active in the industry and is a director of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association and the Experimental Aircraft Association, and is a member of the Recreational Aviation Foundation. He flies regularly and has an RV-8, Glasair Sportsman, Cessna 185E, and TBM 900.
Keny is an inspirational leader and change agent in the aerospace industry. His aviation career began at 13 and he became one of the nation’s youngest certified flight instructors at 18. He is the founder of the Legacy Flight Academy (LFA), a non-profit organization dedicated to upholding and sustaining the legacy of the heroic Tuskegee Airmen. LFA has provided more than 1,000 free orientation flights to youth across America, primarily from underprivileged and minority groups. Keny was appointed to lead the United States Air Force’s diversity improvement efforts and is the recipient of AOPA’s Inaugural General Charles McGee Aviation Inspiration Award. He commands the 71st OSS at Vance AFB, OK where he directs airfield operations and ATC for the Air Force’s third busiest airfield.
Eric Hinson is President and CEO of SIMCOM International, a provider of pilot and maintenance training across a variety of general aviation, business, and commercial aircraft types. In this capacity, Eric oversees and directs the business activities of SIMCOM’s training center locations and its fleet of simulators. Additionally, he is responsible for identifying future growth opportunities for SIMCOM, implementing strategic initiatives, and expanding its global influence throughout the simulator training marketplace. Eric is a seasoned business aviation and training industry professional who previously served as Executive Vice President of FlightSafety International. His professional work history also includes senior-level executive positions at Gulfstream Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace, and Piaggio. A former F/A-18 Navy pilot, he maintains his flying skills as the owner of an A36TC Bonanza.
Julie Boatman has made her career in the aviation industry. After obtaining her private, instrument, commercial, and CFI ratings by the time she graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder, she was a flight instructor until she landed her first full-time writing job as an editor at Jeppesen Sanderson. From there, Julie moved to AOPA, spent four years as manager of Cessna Pilot Centers at Cessna Aircraft Company, and returned to Jeppesen under Boeing Flight Services as manager of the Aviation Training Solutions group. In 2014, she founded JulietBravoFox Media, an aviation marketing and consulting company, and delivered on flight training contracts in Portugal from 2015-2017. Julie returned to the U.S. in 2019 to join Flying magazine. She was appointed Editor-in-Chief in October 2019. She has published two books, both by ASA: “Together We Fly: Voices From the DC-3,” and “Honest Vision: The Donald Douglas Story.”
Jack Pelton leads EAA’s board and staff in its mission of growing participation in aviation and inspiring people to fly, build, and further engage in flight. He is the retired chairman, president, and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company. In his decade with Cessna, beginning as SVP of product engineering, he oversaw new aircraft development, testing, certification, and improvements for all Cessna models. Prior to joining Cessna, Pelton was SVP of engineering for Dornier Aircraft. He began his career with Douglas Aircraft, where he rose within the company in operations, engineering, and program management. Pelton’s knowledge and experience have also been a valuable asset throughout the aviation community. He is past chairman of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association board and served on the boards of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, the National Business Aviation Association, and the Corporate Angel Network.
Pete leads the team at GAMA, which travels worldwide engaging regulators, policymakers, and elected officials to promote GA and advance the interests of its global membership of more than 100 airframe, avionics, engine, and component manufacturers, as well as the world’s leading business aviation maintenance and repair companies. Pete retired from a 26-year career in the USAF in 2005, with his last assignment as the Director of the Air Force Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison. He serves on the board of directors of the Recreational Aviation Foundation, Veterans Airlift Command, the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcon Foundation, America’s Warrior Partnership, and the Air Care Alliance. Pete is a member of the FAA’s NextGen Advisory Committee, MITRE Corporation’s Aviation Advisory Committee, and NASA Advisory Council Aeronautics Committee.
Allison McKay joined Women in Aviation International as CEO on February 18, 2020. She is responsible for the future strategic vision of the more than 15,000-member strong organization while overseeing the board of directors, professional staff, and daily operations. Allison previously served as vice president of the Helicopter Association International (HAI) Foundation since 2015 commissioning the first academic study of staffing projections for the rotorcraft industry as well as creating a workforce development initiative. Allison draws from more than 20 years of experience in the development and implementation of highly strategic initiatives with aviation companies including Safran USA and B/E Aerospace.
James Viola joined HAI as President and CEO in January 2020. Prior to joining HAI, he most recently served as a Senior Executive for the Federal Aviation Administration, in the office of Aviation Safety, as director of General Aviation Safety Assurance. He was responsible for maintaining consistency and standardization in the application of safety oversight activities for the GA community. He was a government representative on both the International Helicopter Safety Team and the United States Helicopter Safety Team. Viola’s aviation career began with the US Army, with the majority of his flying done as a special operations MH-6 and MH-47 helicopter pilot. He was promoted through positions of increasing responsibility, achieving the rank of colonel. His final military assignment was as Division Chief for Army Aviation Current Operations in the Pentagon.
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Mark Baker joined AOPA in 2013 as president and CEO. In conjunction with his role leading the world’s largest civil aviation organization, he is chairman of AOPA’s Political Action Committee; CEO for the AOPA Foundation; president of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations, representing pilots in 81 countries; and publisher of AOPA Pilot. Prior to joining AOPA, Mark served in numerous senior executive roles, including CEO of Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corporation, a leading retailer of home improvement and garden products. He also served in senior executive roles at Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, Gander Mountain Company, and The Home Depot. He earned his pilot certificate in his twenties and has logged more than 10,000 hours of flight time in aircraft ranging from light seaplanes to turbines and helicopters.
