AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg (left) with Ned Bennett (right) at AOPA Summit in Hartford, Connecticut.
AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg announced on Thursday the appointment of Ned Bennett as the new chairman of the AOPA Foundation’s Board of Visitors. Bennett takes over the reins from Emeritus Russell Meyer Jr. Bennett is co-founder and executive vice chairman of the brokerage firm optionsXpress that was acquired by Charles Schwab on Sept. 1. In addition to starting optionsXpress, taking it public, and then merging it with Charles Schwab, Bennett has helped launch and turn around about a dozen businesses.
“Ned Bennett has the vision and experience to lead the Board of Visitors in these challenging times,” said AOPA President Craig Fuller. “General aviation is facing numerous complex issues that threaten its very existence, and Ned’s dedication to general aviation will make him an excellent chairman.”
Bennett, a 45-year AOPA member, has served on the board since 2006. The board is charged with helping the foundation grow its initiatives to improve general aviation (GA) safety, increase the pilot population, preserve community airports, and improve the public’s image of GA.
A passionate pilot and aircraft owner, Bennett flies a Mooney, Aeronca, and King Air and has a deep understanding of the value of all segments of GA. He and his wife, Sandy, who is also a pilot, have used GA for pleasure and business, even commuting to work. They have lived at two airport communities.
“Ned’s insight into all aspects of general aviation from community airports to safety is an incredible asset to the AOPA Foundation’s mission,” said AOPA Foundation President Bruce Landsberg.
The AOPA Foundation is the nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-deductible philanthropic arm of AOPA and is supported by donations from pilots, aircraft owners, and aviation enthusiasts.
AOPA ePublishing staff
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