The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) elected its new board of directors, naming as chairman Curt Castagna, president and CEO of Aeroplex/Aerolease Group. Castagna, who had been vice chairman, succeeds outgoing chairman Jeff Ross, president and CEO of Ross Aviation. Clive Lowe, senior v-p of business development for Atlantic Aviation, takes over as vice chair.
Also, the association appointed three new members to the board for three-year terms: Donald Haloburdo, senior v-p of Flight Services at Jet Aviation; Chris Rozansky, executive director of the Naples Airport Authority; and Megan Wolf, COO of Flexjet. “NATA is excited to bring in these new perspectives to the board, which provide a well-rounded representation of the many facets of the general aviation community,” said NATA president Gary Dempsey.
Meanwhile, four members completed terms on the board: Clara Bennett, executive director of the Boca Raton Airport; Andy Priester, president and CEO of Priester Aviation; Christian Sasfai, president of Stevens Aerospace and Defense and former COO and v-p of TAC Air, and, Greg Schmidt, president and CEO of Pentastar Aviation. “We are very grateful to the leadership and expertise Clara, Andy, Christian, and Greg have given to this association over the past years. Their guidance led NATA into a period of exciting growth and positive change,” Dempsey said.
The new board was elected during NATA’s fifth Annual Meeting and Aviation Business Conference held June 17-19 in Washington, D.C. The three-day event included a “Day on the Hill,” where members were able to meet with their congressional representatives, as well as an awards luncheon recognizing key contributors to the industry.
In addition, FAA Flight Standards executive director Ricardo Domingo and U.S. Department of Commerce director, Office of Business Liaison, Patrick Wilson were among the keynote participants addressing attendees.
Panel discussions covered a range of topics from ground handling safety and the evolution of aviation technology to the future of aircraft management and aircraft cybersecurity and connectivity.
“This year’s conference provided opportunities for our members to interact, share ideas, and express their concerns on vital issues like recruiting and retaining the rising workforce, addressing the risks of diesel exhaust fluid, and combatting illegal charter activities,” Dempsey added.
