The NATA Board of Directors named Marathon Jet Center owner Martin Hiller to succeed Tom Hendricks as president of the association. NATA originally had put in place a transition plan that would have had Hiller as acting president following the August 31 departure of Hendricks, but decided during its fall board meeting last week to make the position “longer term” and drop "acting" from the title.

With Hiller continuing his duties at Marathon as well, the association also promoted Bill Deere to executive v-p of government and external affairs and Timothy Obitts to executive v-p of operations and business and general counsel.

Hiller, who previously had run the energy supply company The Hiller Group until it was sold to World Fuel Services in 2010, had served as vice chairman of the NATA board of directors since 2012 and on the board for five years.

“The board was deeply impressed by Marty's report on the current state of the association and his plans for the association's future,” said NATA chairman Andy Priester. “We appreciate Marty's ongoing leadership at the helm of NATA."

Priester said the promotions of Deere and Obitts were among Hiller’s first recommendations at the helm of the association. “My ability to serve longer-term is based in part on the tireless efforts on behalf of the membership made every day by Tim and Bill; their promotions are well deserved,” Hiller said. “Together, we will work to assist aviation businesses succeed in what is an increasingly challenging environment, and that includes our commitment to doing all we can to enhance aviation safety."

Deere joined the association in 2014 after serving as v-p for government affairs at the U.S. Telecom Association. He brought with him a background of public service, previously serving as deputy assistant secretary of state under Colin Powell and on the House Appropriations Committee staff for former Rep. Jim Lightfoot (R-Iowa). He also was senior v-p of legislative affairs for AOPA.

Obitts has served with NATA since early 2015. Before that, he spent 17 years with the law firm Gammon & Grange, P.C., specializing in the representation of nonprofits, including trade associations, rising to managing partner. He also has created and sold a number of businesses, including a radio station.