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IAOPA Secretary General Announces Retirement

Frederick, MD – John Sheehan, Secretary General of the International Council of Aircraft Owner and Pilot Associations (IAOPA), has announced his retirement, effective May 1, 2012.

Sheehan has more than 40 years of experience in military, commercial and general aviation as a pilot, manager, and advocate.  He has been involved in promoting international general aviation interests since 1982 and has served as IAOPA Secretary General since 1997.  He has participated in more than 25 International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) panels, meetings and conferences on subjects that include safety, flight operations, security, personnel licensing, economics and air traffic management.

Taking over as acting Secretary General is Craig Spence currently Vice President of Operations and International Affairs, where he leads AOPA’s advocacy efforts on safety and security regulatory and operational issues affecting pilots, aircraft, airspace, air traffic control and future modernization issues.

“We thank John for his 15 years of service to IAOPA. He has worked with international organizations like ICAO and the European Aviation Safety Agency on proposals and regulations to ensure that countries don’t further restrict access to GA flying,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller.

- AOPA -

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March 9, 2012