A special executive search committee will look for a successor to Ed Bolen, who is retiring after more than two decades of championing business aviation at NBAA.
The business aviation community is saying goodbye to Ed Bolen, who is retiring for health reasons after more than two decades as president and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
Bolen joined NBAA in 2004 and has championed business aviation for more than 40 years. He led on key priorities including safety, airport and airspace access, workforce development and air traffic control modernisation. His retirement follows his decision in September to take medical leave for cancer treatment.
Bolen says: “It is the privilege of a lifetime to have served NBAA and the aviation community. I regret having to step down because of my health, and I have been touched by the outpouring of your support.”
The NBAA board of directors has confirmed that Dan Hubbard will continue overseeing day-to-day operations and has named him acting CEO and SVP, communications. A special executive search committee will begin looking for a new CEO. It will be chaired by Matt Byrd, vice chair of NBAA’s board and president and CEO of Hillwood Aviation.
A private pilot and native Kansan, Bolen was introduced to flying by his father, who served on the board of the Salina Regional Airport in Kansas. His work as a general aviation champion goes back to the 1990s, when he was a Senate legislative aide for Kansas Senator Nancy Kassebaum. He played a central role in passing the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994. The legislation revived American aircraft manufacturing and preserved thousands of jobs.
Bolen later advised presidents of both parties. President Clinton nominated him and the Senate confirmed him to serve on the Management Advisory Council to the Federal Aviation Administration, which he chaired from 2000 to 2004. In 2001 President Bush appointed him to the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. He is also a former chair of the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics.
In 2021 he was inducted as a Living Legend into the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame. This year he will be honoured by his home state with induction into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame.
Elizabeth Dornak, NBAA’s board of directors chair emeritus, adds: “The aviation community cannot thank Ed Bolen enough for his service and leadership.”
NBAA will continue its advocacy work during the search and will roll out a lineup of events in early 2027.
