Mayor Scott Smith, president of the US Conference of Mayors, has joined the board of directors of the Alliance for Aviation Across America. Smith is the mayor of Mesa, Arizona, and has been a pilot for seven years, including a volunteer pilot for Flights for Life.
The United States Conference of Mayors is the official non-partisan organization of cities with populations of 30,000 or more with a membership of over 1,000 mayors.
Smith and the US Conference of Mayors join a growing number of non-aviation organizations and individuals throughout the country who actively serve on the board or as part of the alliance, including the National Farmers Union, the National Grange, the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC), the League of Rural Voters, and countless Chambers of Commerce, Mayors, Legislators and local officials.
“We are thrilled that Mayor Smith and U.S. Conference of Mayors have joined our board of directors,” stated Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and a member of the Alliance’s Board of Directors. “Mayor Smith understands the critical importance of general aviation and our aviation infrastructure to communities around the country, and he will bring a unique perspective to our organization. We look forward to working with Mayor Smith on issues impacting the general aviation industry and the communities around the country that depend on aviation.”
“We welcome the U.S. Conference of Mayors to the Board of Directors of the Alliance and appreciate his valuable perspective as the head of an organization which represents the heads of over a thousand cities and towns across the nation,” said Mark Baker, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and Member of the Board of Directors. “Mayor Smith’s participation in this important coalition demonstrates a growing awareness about general aviation, it’s importance to cities and towns around the country and the critical services that depend on these aircraft and local airports.”
“I look forward to working with the Alliance on our shared mission of educating lawmakers and the public about the critical importance of our aviation infrastructure, particularly for local communities around the country. These aircraft and airports are a literal lifeline and economic engine for cities and towns around the nation. I am honored to join the leaders of these industry, agricultural and business organizations in raising public awareness about the importance of aviation,” said Mayor Smith.
Smith was first elected mayor of Mesa in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012. Since serving in office, he has drawn from his private-sector experience as a business consultant, homebuilder, CEO, accountant and attorney.
Other board members include:
Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union
Niel Ritchie, Executive Director of the League of Rural Voters
Lindy Kirkland, President of the Air Care Alliance
Karen Kerrigan, President & CEO of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
Henry Ogrodzinski, President of the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO)
Matthew Zuccaro, President of the Helicopter Association International (HAI)
Thomas L. Hendricks, President and CEO of the National Air Transportation Association (NATA)
Mark Baker, President and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA)
Ed Bolen, President and CEO of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA)
Formed in 2007, the Alliance for Aviation Across America is a non-profit, non-partisan coalition of more than 6,300 individuals representing businesses, agricultural groups, FBO’s, small airports, elected officials, charitable organizations, and leading business and aviation groups that support the interest of the general aviation community across various public policy issues.
http://www.generalaviationnews.com/2013/10/mesa-mayor-to-join-alliance-for-aviation-board/