The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) has a new president: Dale Forton.
The selection of Forton as president comes after two years of reinvigorating the organization’s leadership structure and refocusing on the strategic plan, according to association officials. “The selection of Dale Forton as president completes the last remaining piece of PAMA’s new leadership structure,” said Clark Gordon, board chair. “At the pentacle of the pyramid he will ensure PAMA continues to grow exponentially. Dale’s knowledge and involvement in the industry and previous leadership experience as a PAMA board director makes him a natural fit to meet PAMA’s strategic plan.”
Forton has been active in the aviation maintenance industry for 32 years and involved in PAMA for over 26 years. He has been an A&P, former Director of Maintenance, and an active PAMA Board member. As a PAMA member Forton launched a chapter, served as Great Lakes Regional Director and Vice Chairman of the PAMA Board of Directors, and chaired several key committees including the governance and strategic planning committee.
“Slowing economic trends indicate there will be a shortage of A&Ps in the near future,” Forton said. “We must prepare new and existing members in our industry for this shortage of qualified technicians by growing awareness of the increasing technical expertise needed to maintain aircraft. And with that the industry will need to recognize a cost increase to retain the existing technicians and entice new ones into aircraft maintenance.
“As President, I plan to first engage members, chapters, and the industry in what PAMA can do for them now and what they would like PAMA to do for them in the future,” he continued. “I am very excited about the direction of career enhancement training which PAMA is offering in webinars as well as the upcoming Great Lakes Airworthiness Symposium.”
For more information: PAMA.org
