AOPA names Jeffrey R. Myers to newly created executive vice president of Communications position

AOPA names Jeffrey R. Myers to newly created executive vice president of Communications position

Mar. 10, 2004 - The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has named Jeffrey R. Myers to be the association's first executive vice president of Communications.

"The growing communications reach of AOPA and the AOPA Air Safety Foundation has become an enormous task," said AOPA President Phil Boyer. "With the growth of AOPA Online and our weekly electronic newsletters, ePilot and ePilot Flight Training, our increasing circulation of AOPA Flight Training magazine and the continuing dominance of AOPA Pilot magazine, as well as our need for more intense and proactive public relations, especially in the wake of the terrorist attacks and subsequent regulatory assault on general aviation, it became obvious that we needed to rethink how we communicate with our members and the non-flying public.

"Jeff Myers has a proven track record for communicating brand value, profits, and share across a broad range of products and services. He has worked at world-class companies like GE, Burger King, Pepsi, Frito-Lay, Nabisco, and Heinz."

More recently, Myers led the efforts to expand the Forbes magazine brand by developing the Forbes on Fox TV show, Forbes Visa Card, and Forbes Signature Wines, as well as their global communications campaign.

Myers was the president of his own communications and marketing firm. He brings over 25 years of experience in senior management positions with focused expertise in communications, marketing, and brand management. He most recently served as the vice president of Integrated Marketing and Sales for Avocet Aircraft, maker of the ProJet, and worked closely on marketing efforts for the Internet weather service Weatherbug.com.

Perhaps most important to AOPA's mission, Myers is an avid, passionate pilot. A 20-year member of AOPA, he has over 600 hours and holds a commercial pilot certificate with multi-engine, instrument, and seaplane ratings.

Myers holds a Bachelor's degree from Northwestern University and an MBA from the University of Connecticut.

The 400,000-member Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has been representing the interests of general aviation pilots since 1939. General aviation 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.

04-1-010