The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) was quick to recognize Dean Saucier for his seventeen years of service representing the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) following the announcement that the Northeast regional representative will retire from the organization at the end of 2017.
Since joining NBAA in 2000 as one of the association’s first regional representatives, Saucier has been at the forefront of advocacy leadership on behalf of business aviation in some of the most challenging areas in the United States, including New York, while effectively covering a large and diverse Northeastern region, which runs from Maine to Pennsylvania.
“On behalf of the entire NASAO family, we commend Dean for his many years of dedicated service advocating on behalf of General Aviation,” said NASAO President Mark Kimberling. “We truly value our close partnership with NBAA, and specifically their top-notch team of regional representatives. Dean has been a consummate professional throughout his career and can take pride in knowing that he’s leaving his region and the entire industry better than he found it.”
Saucier said he has always enjoyed working with the NASAO team. “Most of our issues were parallel and one call to NASAO would result in support. The regional NASAO members in the Northeast were always ready to help.”
Saucier’s effectiveness in representing the business aviation community is widely recognized, to cite a few examples: he helped prevent an onerous curfew at Teterboro Airport, he played a key role in the successful fight to keep open Massachusetts’ Hanscom Field and he has been pivotal in the effort to preserve access to Long Island’s East Hampton Airport.
“Dean has been a passionate business aviation champion and organizer, a supportive member resource and an inspiring leader,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Throughout his remarkable career with NBAA, he has tirelessly worked on the industry’s behalf. Dean will be greatly missed, but we wish him and his wife Ginny the best as they begin this exciting new chapter in their lives.”
Steve Hadley, NBAA regional programs senior director and Southwest regional representative, agreed with Bolen’s assessment, noting: “Dean has helped advance the industry’s representation at the grassroots level, establishing nearly 20 regional groups, including the Morristown Aviation Association, the Long Island Business Aviation Association, the Connecticut Business Aviation Association and others. Dean also played a key role in the formation of the Massachusetts Aviation Legislative Caucus, the first of its kind in the nation.” According to Hadley, Saucier was involved in the formation of similar caucuses in New York, New Hampshire and Connecticut.
This past September, Saucier was honored with the Massachusetts Aviation Hall of Fame Award, which is presented annually by the Massachusetts Airport Management Association to an individual who exemplifies an outstanding commitment to aviation in the commonwealth. Also, in recognition of his years of service, the association presented Saucier with the NBAA Silk Scarf Award on Dec. 13.
NBAA regional reps always make a point of attending the NASAO Annual Convention held each fall and Saucier said he will always remember the New Mexico NASAO Convention immediately following 9-11. “Henry O[grodzinski] was very complimentary and pleased that NBAA attended, especially, when the attendance was at a minimum due to the terrorist attack.” Incidentally, Saucier says there were but 3 passengers on his flight to Albuquerque.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, 7,000-hour ATP pilot (Boeing 737) and former Gulfstream and Beechcraft sales manager, Saucier often flew more than 175 hours a year in his Beechcraft V-35B Bonanza, which is based at Bradley International Airport in Connecticut, in support of his NBAA activities.
