The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) has announced that Jay Evans, CAM, director of professional development, will retire from the organization on Jan. 3, 2019, after 23 years of service.
Since joining NBAA in 1995, Evans has worked with countless dedicated volunteers from the association’s membership in leading nearly all of the organization’s most valued educational and training initiatives. He oversaw the launch of the Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) credential, NBAA’s Professional Development Program (PDP) and the association’s scholarship offerings.
“For over two decades, Jay has established and upheld the standard for professionalism in business aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “He has been transformative in our industry, lighting the path of career development and training for a broad range of professional careers in the industry.”
During his tenure with NBAA, Evans established NBAA’s Flight Attendants Committee, and worked with its members to launch what is today the annual Flight Attendants/Flight Technicians Conference. He also worked extensively with the organization’s Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee, helping foster the success of that committee’s annual event.
Most recently, he has served as staff liaison to the Business Aviation Management Committee, helping to grow NBAA’s Leadership Conference, develop a suite of workforce initiatives and promote scholarships and mentoring across the country. At NBAA, he expanded the organization’s scholarship program from one $5,000 award to more than $100,000 in dozens of awards offered every year.
Evans was instrumental in the development of the CAM credential from its conception, to the first CAM exam in 2003, to the program’s accreditation in 2013, to today, with more than 400 CAMs working in the industry.
“Every day, Jay brought tireless commitment, unfailing discipline and deep concern for others to his work,” said Bolen. “He is widely regarded as one of the most principled and conscientious colleagues many of us have known. Even as he moves on, his many contributions continue to shape the lives and careers of business aviation’s dynamic workforce.”
Evans joined NBAA after retiring from a 22-year career in the U.S. Air Force, where he flew more than 200 operational reconnaissance missions. With postings from Okinawa to Fairbanks, AK to the Pentagon, he left the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel.
He earned his bachelor’s degree from East Carolina University and a master’s degree in public administration from Auburn University.
Holding an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) license, Evans is a certified flight instructor, and has flown more than two dozen aspiring aviators with the Young Eagles. With more than 5,000 flight hours on his record, his retirement from NBAA culminates a 45-year career in aviation.
“We thank Jay for his many years of leadership and service,” said Bolen. “Although he will be missed, we wish him all the best as he begins his next stage with his wife, children and grandchildren.”
