The European Business Aviation Association (EBAA) is bringing in veteran communications and marketing executive Brandon Mitchener to run the association. Mitchener, who succeeds Fabio Gamba, steps into his new role as CEO of EBAA on April 3.

Gamba departed the association on Thursday after serving at the helm for about five and a half years. He informed colleagues of his planned departure earlier this month. While Gamba acknowledged that he is “leaving at a time of important challenges to the sector…I am also very much aware of the formidable opportunities that it faces,” he added, “I have no doubt that my successor, with your help and support, will capably bring the association to the next chapter.”

Mitchener, a French and U.S. citizen, has had a 25-year career as a journalist and public affairs professional in Europe, including the past 20 years in Brussels. Most recently he was head of corporate communications for Monsanto in Europe and the Middle East. He also has served as director of public relations EMEA for First Solar and worked as a European public affairs consultant at APCO Worldwide.

His journalism experience includes being a correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and Dow Jones newswires in New York, Germany and Brussels.