The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Board of Directors has named Dan Hubbard as interim chief operating officer, and designated Hubbard as the association’s day-to-day lead while President and CEO Ed Bolen takes a leave of absence for cancer treatment.
Hubbard has been with NBAA for 22 years and has served as its senior vice president for communications since 2008.
“We are wishing Ed a full recovery as he takes the time he needs to focus on his health,” said John Witzig, chair of NBAA’s Board of Directors. “Dan has a strong strategic view of NBAA’s mission and all its initiatives. As NBAA’s interim COO, he will oversee day-to-day operations during Ed’s absence, including at NBAA-BACE, with support from a leadership team with decades of experience, and a proven track record of serving the business aviation community with excellence.”
In addition to driving communications and shaping NBAA’s brand, Hubbard has been deeply involved with NBAA’s external affairs, partnerships and advocacy initiatives in the U.S. and globally, including NBAA conventions on four continents.
“NBAA is well-positioned to continue operating seamlessly and serving members strategically and effectively, and I am honored to step in and lead our dedicated team,” Hubbard said. “I have every confidence in our ability to execute an outstanding NBAA-BACE next month, while continuing to advance the industry’s policy agenda and supporting the operational and other needs of our members.”
NBAA also announced that Heidi Williams will be elevated to senior vice president, operations, filling a role left by the retirement of Douglas Carr this past July.
Williams will lead the Operations team. She currently oversees the association’s policies and coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other government and industry stakeholders as vice president, air traffic services and infrastructure.
Williams also leads the association’s emerging technologies initiatives and airspace and air traffic modernization efforts.
Other aviation associations commented on NBAA’s leadership change and the news about Ed Bolen, including AOPA and EAA.
The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) extended well wishes to Ed for successful treatment and recovery. “I have known Ed since I started at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association in 2005. Not only is he an extremely effective leader, Ed is a genuinely kind man whose passion and dedication to business aviation have made the whole GA community better. We look forward to having back in the left seat soon,” said AOPA Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl.
“I had the pleasure of recently spending some time with Ed. His leadership and commitment to general aviation are unwavering. On behalf of all AOPA members, we wish him a full and speedy recovery,” said AOPA Board of Trustees Chairman Luke Wippler.
Jack J. Pelton, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Experimental Aircraft Association said, “EAA offers its best wishes to Ed Bolen and sends our hopes for a full recovery. While Ed rightly focuses on his health, NBAA is in good hands with its current experienced team. We also offer Dan Hubbard, Heidi Williams, and the rest of NBAA our continuing support as we continue to work together to advance and benefit aviation.”
NBAA is excited to welcome the global industry to the association’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s most powerful business aviation event. The show will take place Oct. 20-22 at the Las Vegas Convention Center and Henderson Executive Airport (HND), bringing together state-of-the-art aircraft and the leaders pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation.
