Alexandria, VA, December 15, 2010 – The Helicopter Association International has named Jim McKenna as its new director of communications, responsible for all public relations and communications initiatives of the world’s leading helicopter trade association.McKenna succeeds Martin J. Pociask, who in late November was named vice president and curator of the Helicopter Foundation International.
"HAI in recent years has increased its engagement with more than 2,900 members in the U.S. and around the world, and expanded efforts to promote the helicopter industry and safe operations in the U.S. and internationally," said HAI President Matthew S. Zuccaro. "Jim's long experience with the helicopter industry, aviation, and the media makes him the right person to ensure HAI keeps its members, the media, and the general public well informed in print, online, and through social media about our ongoing efforts and successes."
McKenna joins HAI from Mercury Nimbus, his communications consulting practice in Alexandria, Virginia. He previously held a variety of senior communications positions with Bell Helicopter in Fort Worth, Texas, including serving as that manufacturer's spokesman at HAI's HELI-EXPO® earlier this year, and at international air shows in Singapore, India, and Berlin. Prior to joining Bell in 2008, he served for five and half years as editor-in-chief of Rotor & Wing, a leading helicopter industry trade magazine. In 2009, McKenna was honored with HAI's "Salute to Excellence" Communications award for his work at that publication.
McKenna also previously served as executive director of the Aviation Safety Alliance in Washington, D.C. and, before that, was an award-winning editor for the aerospace trade publication Aviation Week & Space Technology. He has been writing about aviation for more than 30 years.
HAI is a professional trade association representing 3,000 plus members, in 74 nations, who safely operate more than 5,000 helicopters approximately 2.3 million hours each year. HAI is dedicated to the promotion of the helicopter as a safe, effective method of commerce, and to the advancement of the international helicopter community.
