The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is recognizing the legacy of Ed Bolen, who is retiring after nearly 25 years as the association’s president and CEO. A tireless advocate for business aviation, Bolen has spent more than four decades championing the industry, advancing priorities that include aviation safety, airport and airspace access, workforce development and air traffic control modernization.
Bolen joined NBAA in 2004 and became one of the industry’s most influential voices, building relationships across government and aviation organizations to strengthen business aviation and general aviation as a whole.
Bolen’s retirement comes as he steps away for health reasons following the recent announcement that he was taking medical leave for cancer treatment.
The NBAA Board of Directors has named Dan Hubbard, senior vice president of communications, Acting CEO. Hubbard will continue overseeing the association’s day-to-day operations while a special executive search committee begins the process of identifying Bolen’s successor. The committee will be chaired by Matt Byrd, NBAA Board vice chair and president and CEO of Hillwood Aviation.
A Lifetime of Aviation Advocacy
A private pilot and native of Kansas, Bolen was introduced to aviation by his father, who served on the board of the Salina Regional Airport. His career as an aviation advocate began in Washington, D.C., where he served as a legislative aide to Kansas Sen. Nancy Kassebaum during the 1990s.
Bolen played a pivotal role in advancing the historic General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994, legislation credited with helping revive American aircraft manufacturing and preserve thousands of industry jobs.
His government service extended beyond Capitol Hill. Nominated by President Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Bolen served on the Federal Aviation Administration’s Management Advisory Council, chairing the council from 2000 to 2004. In 2001, President George W. Bush appointed him to the Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. He also served as chair of the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics.
His contributions have earned widespread recognition. In 2021, Bolen was inducted as a Living Legend into the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame. This year, he is also being honored by his home state with induction into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame.
“The aviation community cannot thank Ed Bolen enough for his service and leadership,” said Elizabeth Dornak, NBAA’s Board of Directors chair emeritus. “His service to aviation is unmatched over a sterling career, and so many of us are fortunate to count him as a partner and a friend.”
As NBAA begins the search for its next CEO, the association will continue its advocacy efforts and prepare for a strong lineup of events in early 2027. While Bolen’s departure marks the end of a significant chapter in NBAA’s history, his influence on business aviation and the broader aviation community will endure.
A Lasting Impact on Aviation
“I’ve known Ed for decades, and general aviation is stronger today because of him,” said AOPA Acting Co-President Katie Pribyl. “He’s spent his whole career looking out for pilots, starting as a Senate aide when he helped pass the General Aviation Revitalization Act, and then leading GAMA and NBAA. Through all of it, Ed has been a true friend to AOPA. We’ve stood together against user fees and ATC privatization, and we’ve worked side by side to protect airports. General aviation has had no better friend than Ed Bolen.”
“Ed is widely recognized as one of general aviation’s most formidable, respected, and influential advocates—a leader whose passion, determination, and unwavering commitment have helped shape and protect the future of our industry,” said AOPA Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Advocacy Jim Coon. “It has been a pleasure to be able to work with him to promote and protect general aviation and more importantly call him a loyal friend, which is rare in Washington. But beyond his many professional accomplishments spanning decades, what makes Ed truly special is the man he is: a man that has the values of integrity, humility, and conviction. What an amazing career and person.”
“I’m thankful I’ve had the opportunity to get to know Ed. His work benefited everyone in general aviation—not just the business aviation community,” said AOPA Board of Trustees Chairman Luke Wippler. “He’s spent his career protecting our freedom to fly. We’re keeping Ed and his family in our thoughts as he focuses on his health.”
“For decades, Ed Bolen has been a champion and stalwart for the general and business aviation industry. His dedication for the welfare and growth of the industry is truly remarkable. GAMA is forever grateful for Ed’s leadership at both NBAA and GAMA; he always stressed the importance of working together for the betterment of the industry. On behalf of GAMA and its membership, we thank Ed for his service, passion and devotion to our industry and wish him nothing but the best during this difficult time,” stated General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) president and CEO, James Viola
“Ed Bolen’s impact and influence on the aviation community can be measured in so many ways, yet is immeasurable in so many others. Ed has championed important causes that have advanced aviation, from safety, airport and airspace access, to air traffic control modernization. He has also been a leader in seeking consensus within the aviation community on key issues. I am proud to call Ed an esteemed colleague as well as a friend and we are keeping him in our thoughts as he steps into retirement,” said Jack J. Pelton, CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Experimental Aircraft Association
“The nation’s state aviation leaders salute Ed Bolen as he announces his retirement from the NBAA. Ed’s career as a leader in the aviation industry is unsurpassed,” said Greg Pecoraro, NASAO president and CEO. “Throughout his time on Capitol Hill, at the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), and now at NBAA, he has provided thoughtful, dedicated, and passionate leadership to the industry. In recent years, Ed has been aviation’s preeminent spokesman and exemplified the best of our industry. We thank him for his service, his friendship to NASAO and state aviation agencies, and wish him the best.”