Washington, DC, February 9, 2015--The Regional Airline Association, an industry trade organization representing 29 North American regional airlines and nearly 200 associate members, announced today that Roger Cohen has resigned as President, effective immediately. The RAA Board of Directors will form a search committee for the selection of a new President. Today, the board has appointed Faye Malarkey Black to serve as RAA’s interim President.
Black has over 25 years experience in policy, strategic leadership, and management, and has served RAA since 1998, most recently as Senior Vice President-Government Affairs. Prior to joining RAA, Black served as an executive at Smithbucklin, the world’s largest trade association management company. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Black began her career in Western Pennsylvania politics and played key roles on the “Get Out the Vote” and communications strategy teams during the 1994 and 1996 Democratic coordinated campaigns. She currently serves on the Aero Club of Washington, DC Board of Governors.
“Faye has the Board’s full support and confidence to lead RAA’s exceptional staff as interim president, “ stated Linda A. Markham, RAA Board Chair and Cape Air President. “During her many years of service, Faye has developed invaluable insight into the operations of RAA and has long played a key role in our association’s strategic decisions.”
Markham added, “We are grateful for Roger’s valuable contributions and dedicated advocacy on behalf of RAA’s members during the past eight years. His leadership has helped the regional airline industry navigate through a period of dynamic changes requiring our industry to once again show its resiliency to adapt to market demands.”
“With plans for RAA’s 40th Anniversary during the Annual Convention well on their way, and the RAA core team firmly established, it’s the right time for me to move to my next opportunity,” said Cohen.
About RAA
With safety as its highest priority, RAA represents North American regional airlines, and the manufacturers of products and services supporting the regional airline industry, before the Congress, DOT, FAA and other federal agencies. With more than 12,000 regional airline flights every day, regional airlines operate 50 percent of the nation's commercial schedule.
