NASAO Begins Search for President & CEO

greg 1editPrincipato – Right Man for the Right Time

The Board of Directors of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) has begun a national search for the next leader of the 85 year-old organization. Current President and CEO, Greg Principato announced recently that he has accepted a similar position with the National Aeronautic Association (NAA). Principato will remain with NASAO through mid-October.

“Greg brought great national experience and expertise in aviation to the position and to his time with us,” said Carol L. Comer, of Georgia, NASAO’s Immediate Past Chair. “We are sorry to see him leave us.”

Principato (pictured at right) served in numerous executive positions within the aviation and aerospace industry prior to joining NASAO in 2014, including the top spot at Airports Council International – North America (NCI-NA) from 2005 until 2013.

“We couldn’t have been more fortunate to have Greg with us for the past two years,” said Kim Stevens, NASAO Director of Operations and Communications. “NASAO came through a tough few years as an association and Greg brought the perfect tool box with which to rebuild and refocus on those key things that are NASAO.”

Some of those tools included experience gained while working on aviation and transportation policy issues for more than 30 years beginning on the staffs of U.S. Senators J. Bennett Johnson and Joseph R. Biden, Jr. After leaving the Senate, Principato worked for Virginia Governor Gerald L. Baliles, who was nationally known for a commitment to transportation infrastructure and who spearheaded the creation of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

NASAO Chairman Gary Cathey, Division of Aeronautics Chief for the California Department of Transportation, will name a President/CEO Search Task Force, to assist NASAO’s management company, AMG and AMG’s President Bruce Wardle, who will lead the effort.

“Greg will do an outstanding job as President of NAA,” said Stevens. “I’m familiar with the operations at NAA and have gotten to know the staff over the last few years. It’s a great fit for Greg and I know he will have a positive impact on that association just like he has had at NASAO.”

Cathey said he and the board anticipate a smooth transition to their next President/CEO and intend to extend an offer by the end of October.

Interested applicants can apply for this position by submitting your resume with cover letter and salary history to: employment@amg-inc.com.