Andy Cebula named AOPA's executive vice president of Government Affairs

Andy Cebula named AOPA's executive vice president of Government Affairs

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has announced the promotion of Andy Cebula to the newly created position of executive vice president of Government Affairs.

"Andy joined AOPA just months before the terrorist attacks of 9/11," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "Through Andy's guidance and leadership during a very difficult time for general aviation we have successfully forwarded the concerns of our members on the national, state, and local levels."

With nearly 25 years of experience in aviation policy, Cebula manages AOPA's advocacy efforts on issues affecting general aviation (GA) pilots and aircraft owners. This includes opposing legislation that limits GA pilots' freedom to fly, protecting and preserving airports and access to the nation's airspace, and fighting proposals on Capitol Hill, state capitols, and regulatory agencies that increase the cost of flying and aircraft ownership.

Cebula joined AOPA in 2001 as the senior vice president of Government and Technical Affairs at the association's Frederick, Md., headquarters. Shortly thereafter he also became the head of AOPA's lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C. In addition, Cebula manages AOPA's Political Action Committee, 13 regional representatives located across the country, and 1,700 volunteers in the AOPA Airport Support Network.

As part of Cebula's new responsibilities, the Aviation Services Division of AOPA now falls under his leadership as well. The division is staffed by experienced pilots who answer nearly 130,000 technical questions from members each year, and medical specialists who to answer 50,000 questions annually about medical certification issues.

"Andy's promotion is part of a senior management reorganization I announced in 2003," said Boyer. "The structure is now complete, with Andy as one of the four executive vice presidents who will be vital to AOPA's continued success."

The other three EVPs are Diana Roberts, Operations; Jeff Myers, Communications; and Karen Gebhart, Non-Dues Revenue.

Prior to joining AOPA, Cebula was vice president and, earlier, director of government and industry affairs at the National Air Transportation Association. He also served for two years as a senior policy analyst in the FAA's Office of Civil Aviation Security.

Cebula holds a degree in aviation management from Auburn University and serves on the university's Aviation Management Advisory Board. He is a member of several aviation organizations, including the American Association of Airport Executives, the National Aeronautic Association, and the Washington Aero Club. He lives in Urbana, Maryland, with his wife and their three children.

The more-than-407,000-member AOPA has represented the interests of GA pilots since 1939. GA includes all flying except the scheduled airlines and the military. Nearly two-thirds of all U.S. pilots, and three-quarters of the GA pilots, are AOPA members.

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January 9, 2006