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Mark Baker to retire as AOPA prez

Aeromot

Aeromot

Flies over Oceans
Joined
Sep 30, 2019
Messages
11,155
Location
Santa Paula Airport (KSZP), the west end
I can't say he ever impressed me

www.avweb.com

Mark Baker Stepping Down As AOPA President - AVweb

AOPA President Mark Baker told staff today that he will be leaving his post when a suitable replacement has been found. Baker, who joined the organization more than 10 years ago, said in an internal email to staff obtained by AVweb that he will be staying on until that process plays out. “I have...
www.avweb.com www.avweb.com
 
Yep. I was very happy when he took the job. I thought he'd do a great job and told him so face-to-face early on. Unfortunately, AOPA seems to have moved farther and farther from the kind of flying that I do.
 
I dunno.

Fifteen years ago, I viewed AOPA as a really important organization for me to support. Since then, its attention and goals seem to have moved way toward jets and high-end operations. I haven't seen anything recently that would lead me to think that AOPA has any particular interest in supporting or even thinking much about the couple-hundred thousand people who are flying small, personal planes around America.
 
Additionally: I've spent most of my life in and around non-profits. There can easily come a time in the life cycle of a non-profit where growing the non-profit itself becomes a more important goal than servicing the goals for which it was formed. It has occurred to me more than once that AOPA may have crossed that bridge a while ago.
 
www.aopa.org

Pilot, business leader to command AOPA

A passionate pilot who flew professionally (and competitively) before mastering the business world has been selected to become AOPA’s sixth president and chief executive.
www.aopa.org

Pilot, business leader to command AOPA​

“I'm honored with the opportunity I'm being given to help steward AOPA forward into the future, and I'm inspired by the role AOPA will continue to play in protecting our freedom to fly,” said Pleasance, whose aviation journey began when he was just a teenager, first when he got involved in flying model aircraft and later doing chores around the airport in exchange for flying lessons.

Pleasance has gone on to fly over 8,000 hours in more than 50 different types of aircraft—ranging from simple trainers to business jets to vintage warbirds, including a North American P–51 Mustang. Early in his career he flew as a corporate pilot, working for celebrities such as John Travolta before going on to fly charters in the Alaskan bush. He left professional aviation to pursue a career in business, but he never stopped flying. Today he owns and operates a Piper Meridian, a Van’s Aircraft RV–6, and a Progressive Aerodyne SeaRey amphibious airplane while maintaining currency as a certificated flight instructor.

Most recently, Pleasance led Cisco Systems Inc.'s Acceleration Center, an organization formed to accelerate the success of mission-critical aspects of Cisco's business transformation. Prior to joining Cisco, he led global customer acquisitions for Google and served as a partner in consulting firm McKinsey & Company's high tech sector and marketing and sales practice. Throughout his business career, Pleasance has remained active in aviation, serving for many years on the board of the Experimental Aircraft Association.
 
Well, I don't know anything about him other than what's written in that article but the fact that he spent some time on the EAA's board seems like a good sign.

Working with Google can google people's minds so that's a cautionary note but, on paper, he seems like someone who might be a good choice. Time will tell.
 
OldGunbunny said:
No loss to the aviation community. Baker's sucking up to the administrator at Osh about the Class 3 medical issue was what caused Senator Jim Inhofe to roll in wings level and guns blazing on the FAA. Thank him for your BasicMed - AOPA did nothing!
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Agreed ~ Baker just became another in a long line of AOPA politically-correct butt-kissers, promising the Membership they'll "fight for GA" and often doing the complete opposite, or touting the "we sent a strong letter" nonsense.
They've had several, minor, victories during the past few years, but I see too much capitulation (a/k/a "bipartisan support") on many larger issues, and more and more political stunts, like the asinine "DC flyover".
Bye Mark, it's about time!
Fly Safe!
 
I question any improvement. Way back in the dark ages, I decided to fly myself instead of riding the ass end of a Delta sardine tin, I, of course, carried the AOPA airport guide in the plane. I sent in a request to have a list of airports with 24 hour, self service fuel (not that many in those days). AOPA's response? "We don't see a need for that, but let me tell you about our wine club."

No joke.
 
I keep getting their requests for money for the AOPA Foundation. Those keep finding their way into the recycling bin without being opened,
 
And Darren Pleasance is AOPA's sixth president:

www.aopa.org

Pilot in command

January 1, 2025, marked a special moment as Darren Pleasance became just the sixth president and CEO in AOPA’s 85-year history.
www.aopa.org
 
Domenick said:
Should I consider re-upping my membership?
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Since I expect to ATC privatization proposed again very soon, I want to see how AOPA responds before I decide to renew. That is a go/no go issue for me.
 
Aeromot said:
Since I expect to ATC privatization proposed again very soon, I want to see how AOPA responds before I decide to renew. That is a go/no go issue for me.
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I'm on-board with that. The AOPA has either been on the wrong side of many issues or simply been late-to-the-party, waiting to see how EAA, NBAA, etc. reacts, as opposed to Phil Boyer who had no hesitation taking the lead, even if unpopular and/or politically incorrect.

Let's see how Mr. Pleasance struts his stuff around the local airport (KFDK), who he beds down with in Washington, and whether he directs AOPA to return to their core focus and mission (including aggressive advocacy), rather than the ridiculous publicity stunts, asinine credit card/affinity programs, and obsessive fund-raising/begging for money nonsense, which were the hallmark of the Craig Fuller / Mark Baker years.

That said, there's not much publicly available about Mr. Pleasance and the AOPA touts, front-and-center, his "8,000 flight hours in 50-different aircraft", with work experience only as an employee of Google and Cisco, a consultant for McKinsey, and author:


I'm hoping he's not some over-hyped, feel-good, "find your inner self", salesman-type with more concerns about everyone's feelings, rather than the SOB-personality needed to address the significant issues bearing down on GA, countering government over-reach, put-to-rest ATC privatization, and demands the FAA solve the DPE problems (instead of continually ordering "studies").

Jury's out...
 
Totally agree. Well said!
 
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