In an effort to reposition the association for growth, create a sustainable business model that brings expenses in line with revenue, and refocus on grassroots initiatives, AOPA President Mark Baker announced a restructuring Oct. 17.
While eliminating redundancies in job duties and restructuring departments, 12 positions were eliminated.
AOPA’s government affairs division was restructured to more closely align and integrate AOPA’s legislative activities with its work in the regulatory arena to allow the association to be more flexible in deploying resources. Lead subject matter experts will now have the best opportunity to present AOPA’s position to key decision makers.
Baker also made changes in the area of AOPA’s efforts to grow the pilot community. This continues to be a major priority; however, the association will focus more on collaborating with other associations and industry advocates in order to achieve greater results and effect change in more meaningful ways. For example, AOPA aims to work much closer with the Experimental Aircraft Association on youth programs.
AOPA will continue to lead efforts to promote and grow flying clubs, and will continue to support flight training initiatives and bring lapsed pilots back to active flying status. The association can be most effective in the area of growing the pilot population with a budget and infrastructure that maximizes development of very focused and tangible resources that assist clubs and flight training providers. AOPA still has staff members dedicated to flying clubs, flight training, and lapsed pilot initiatives.
The other reductions occurred in areas where one or two employees were affected.
AOPA will continue to focus on creating member value in everything it does.