The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has named Jim Coon as senior vice president of Government Affairs and Advocacy.
Coon, who has years of experience working with Congress and the aviation industry, will oversee both the regulatory and legislative aspects of AOPA’s advocacy operations.
Coon has spent much of his career working as a senior congressional staff member, most recently in the role of staff director for the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and majority staff director for the House Aviation Subcommittee.
His other congressional roles have included positions as majority professional staff member for the House Aviation Subcommittee, legislative director for U.S. Representative John J. Duncan, Jr., and legislative assistant for U.S. Representative Robert F. Smith.
Coon has most recently held the position of executive vice president for the National Air Transportation Association. At various times in his career he has held the posts of director for congressional affairs for both The Boeing Company and the Air Transport Association.
“The legislative and regulatory environments have never been more challenging and Jim’s in-depth experience working both with Congress and the aviation community make him the right person at the right time,” said AOPA President Mark Baker. “Jim is talented and well-respected and knows how to get things done in Washington and he has an excellent understanding of the issues facing the aviation community today. We’re excited to have him aboard.”
Coon will be based in AOPA’s Washington, D.C., office where he will manage the association’s advocacy team on a host of issues including medical certification, FAA funding, avgas alternatives, aircraft and airmen certification reform and air traffic modernization.
AOPA, the world’s largest aviation member association, has representatives based in Frederick, Md., Washington, D.C., and seven regions across the United States.
For more information: AOPA.org
Niw, if only he can stimulate the GA Divison (AFS 800) @ FAA Headquarters to become more “realistic” and appropriate for GA to bring it back and soon. My experience at 800 Independence was that the FAA did a great job of not being happy until the avaiton public was unhappy-! However, the Big Guys, US Air Carriers Are different, perhaps Because they have a bigger stick? Biggest issue that I, personally, would like to see is the new bill passed and made law that GA Pilots for Non commercial purposes, be allowed to fly their GA standard category aircraft provided these pilots have a valid driver’s license!! After all, balloon pilots & glider pilots are allowed to self certify but DO conduct “commercial flight activities”-!