AOPA has named Darren Pleasance to serve as its new president and chief executive officer. Pleasance, who will join AOPA on January 1, 2025, brings a wealth of aviation and business experience to the role.
“I’m honored with the opportunity I’m being given to help steward AOPA forward into the future, and I’m inspired by the role AOPA will continue to play in protecting our freedom to fly,” said Pleasance, whose aviation journey began when he was just a teenager, first when he got involved in flying model aircraft and later doing chores around the airport in exchange for flying lessons.
Pleasance has since gone on to fly over 8,000 hours in more than 50 different types of aircraft ranging from simple trainers to business jets to vintage warbirds, including a P-51 Mustang. Early in his career he flew as a corporate pilot, working for celebrities such as John Travolta before going on to fly charters in the Alaskan bush. He left professional aviation to pursue a career in business, but he never stopped flying. Today he owns and operates a Piper Meridian, a Vans RV-6, and a SeaRey floatplane while maintaining currency as a certificated flight instructor.
“Naming Darren as the next AOPA president is clearly consistent with the kind of committed, powerful leadership for which AOPA is known and we look forward to working with him closely in the years ahead,” said National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen.
“Over a course of decades, NBAA and AOPA have developed an extremely strong working relationship based on promoting the freedom to fly,” Bolen said. “Over that time, AOPA has been led by presidents who have combined a deep passion for aviation with a strong business acumen and an ability to leverage AOPA’s membership into laws and regulations that benefit aviators everywhere.”
Most recently, Pleasance led Cisco’s Acceleration Center, an organization formed to accelerate the success of mission-critical aspects of Cisco’s business transformation. Prior to joining Cisco, he led global customer acquisitions for Google and served as a partner in consulting firm McKinsey & Co.’s high tech sector and marketing and sales practice. Throughout his business career, Pleasance has remained active in aviation, serving for many years on the board of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).
“Darren Pleasance’s appointment as AOPA’s next president and CEO comes at a pivotal time when his deep aviation experience and ability to inspire future aviation professionals will greatly benefit our industry. NATA is excited for this next chapter under Pleasance’s leadership as a partner in advocating for general aviation and strengthening relationships between pilots and the aviation business community. Together, we can continue to advance key priorities to preserve critical airspace for all aviators, usher in an unleaded future for general aviation, address airport infrastructure needs, and communicate the immense value of our industry to communities across the nation,” stated NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna.
Pleasance often cites aviation as a source of inspiration and joy. Recognizing that many of the successful and wealthy people he has known and worked with were unhappy, Pleasance authored a well-regarded book, True North: A Handbook for Inspired Living, which leads readers through a practical guide to finding fulfillment.
Pleasance succeeds Mark Baker, who has served more than 11 years in the top spot at AOPA. Baker announced his intention to retire earlier this year, but committed to remain in the job and assist in the search until the right leader could be found.
“I’m confident that Darren is the right person to lead AOPA into its next chapter,” said Baker. “He is a pilot’s pilot with a genuine passion for flying. He combines that excitement about aviation with leadership experience at some of this country’s top consulting and tech firms, giving him the right balance of business skills and kinship with our members.”
AOPA’s Board of Trustees conducted a wide-ranging search to find the right leader for the organization.
“We could not be more gratified about Darren taking the left seat at AOPA,” said Bill Trimble, chairman of the Board. “After completing an extensive national search, we met with many terrific candidates, but all agreed that Darren brings a wealth of experience coupled with a joy of flying that will be critical for leading AOPA’s mission going forward. We are so grateful for Mark’s hard work over the past 11 years and look forward to Darren’s leadership at this important time for General Aviation.”
Pleasance holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
“I’m grateful for the privilege I’m being given to lead this incredible organization that has had such a positive impact on my life and the lives of all of us who love aviation,” said Pleasance.
