The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) has selected Shelly Simi as the new President and CEO. In this capacity, Simi will work closely with the NASAO Board of Directors and state representatives to actualize the mission and vision while enhancing the goals of the Association. Simi joins NASAO in early 2019, following her time at Aurora Flight Sciences Corp., a Boeing Company, where she is currently the Director of Corporate Communications & Public Affairs.
Throughout Simi’s extensive career of over 25 years in aviation, she has worked with numerous aviation executives and government officials. With a strong association background, she has made numerous accomplishments, some of the most notable included serving as the vice president of communications for the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), president of the Aero Club of Washington and founding Board Member of Women in Aviation, International.
Cassandra Isackson, Chair of the NASAO Board of Directors, expressed NASAO’s enthusiasm at having Simi on board: “On behalf of the NASAO Board of Directors, we are pleased and excited to welcome Shelly Simi as our new President and CEO. Shelly’s extensive industry experience as well as her deep and abiding passion for aviation will ensure NASAO’s continued success in serving the public interest to sustain, advance and promote aviation in our respective states.”
Simi’s dynamic background and industry experience working at companies like Adam Aircraft and Jeppesen made her the ideal candidate. In order to find the best fit for the role, NASAO utilized the association management company, Interel Group US, in the search.
Bruce Wardle, Chairman, Interel Group US shared: “Interel and I were very pleased to be asked to conduct this search by NASAO leadership. The selection of Shelly Simi gives NASAO a consummate aviation professional who will provide outstanding leadership and management to NASAO’s Board and members.”
Shelly Simi made the following statement regarding joining NASAO: “These are exciting times to be in aviation and aerospace with the new emerging technologies and a solid 5-year funding stream. I look forward to working with the states where important initiatives like airport and infrastructure development, technology implementation and enhancing STEM education and workforce development are top priorities.”
Simi attended George Washington University’s Public Relations Certificate Program in Washington, DC and holds a Bachelor of Commercial Aviation degree with a minor in Flight Operations from Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi.
NASAO is dedicated to representing the interests of the states and the public before policymakers at the federal level. NASAO members organize, promote and fund a wide variety of aviation programs across the nation.
