New AOPA Regional Program Focuses on Advocacy, Community

Frederick, MD – The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has created seven new, full-time regional manager positions to better build strong local GA communities and strengthen the organization’s relationships with state and local governments across the country.

AOPA has had a successful regional representative program for many years, which focused on state and local advocacy.  In 2012, we are re-organizing the country into seven regions, headed by regional managers who will work on state and local issues, handle pilot outreach and serve the membership.  Many of the previous regional representatives will continue in a new AOPA program, attending aviation events as part of the association’s local engagement initiative.

The hiring of the regional managers marks the first overhaul of AOPA regional advocacy and representation in decades. “We are pleased and fortunate that many of our ‘new’ regional managers are familiar faces, having served very capably as AOPA regional representatives,” AOPA President Craig Fuller said. “As cash-strapped states eye GA taxes, cut spending on airport maintenance and community airports face an ongoing threat, the need to make sure pilots have a voice in community decisions is greater than ever.”

The new regional managers are:

• Great Lakes region: Bryan Budds
• Northeast region: Craig Dotlo
• Alaska: Tom George
• Southern region:  Bob Minter
• California: John L. Pfeifer
• Central Southwest region: Yasmina Platt
• Northwest Mountain region: David R. Ulane