WASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) has named Greg Principato president and CEO of the 83-year-old organization.
Principato, who most recently served as president and CEO of ACI-NA from 2005-2013, was a trade and transportation specialist at Hunton & Williams from 1991-2005 and served as executive director of the National Commission to Ensure a Strong Competitive Airline Industry in 1993.
“I am excited to be joining the NASAO team as its president and CEO,” said Principato. “From my time working for an innovative, transportation-oriented governor through my career in aviation, I have become convinced that the states are ‘where it’s at’ when promoting aviation as a force for building modern communities connected to the national and global economy.”
Principato worked in the administration of Virginia Governor Gerald L. Baliles from 1986-1990 and on the staff of U.S. Senators J. Bennett Johnston (1979-81) and Joseph R. Biden (1982-86). Currently, he is a Senior Advisor to National Strategies and owns his own consulting firm.
“Aviation needs a strong NASAO, and its members and I share that vision,” said Principato, who will take the reins of the association on Nov. 17.
Principato added he was humbled and deeply honored to follow his good friend Henry Ogrodzinski as president of NASAO, who died earlier this year after a long battle with cancer.
“He was a legendary aviation leader and a very good friend of mine,” said Principato. “I will call upon him often for inspiration and guidance.”
Principato has a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the University of Notre Dame (1978) and a Master of Arts in International Relations from The University of Chicago (1979). He is married with two grown sons.
Since its founding in 1931 NASAO has represented the men and women, in state government aviation agencies, who serve the public interest in the states, Guam and Puerto Rico.