NATA ANNOUNCES TWO KEY STAFF CHANGES

Alexandria, VA – November 13, 2012 — The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is pleased to announce two key staff changes.

Jim Coon, currently chief of staff for the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, will join NATA as executive vice president in January. Coon has nearly three decades of experience on Capitol Hill as well as significant private sector experience in the aviation industry where he served as director of government affairs for The Boeing Company and for the Air Transport Association (now Airlines for America).

Prior to his appointment as chief of staff to the committee, Coon served as the majority staff director on the Aviation Subcommittee. He served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee under the chairmanships of Reps. Bud Shuster (R-PA), Don Young (R-AK), Jim Oberstar (D-MN), and John Mica (R-FL), and started his Hill career in 1983 as a legislative aide to former Rep. Bob Smith (R-OR), and then as legislative director for Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN). He also served twelve years as an infantry officer in the National Guard and Army Reserves.

During his tenure as chief of staff, Coon led the committee’s negotiations on important congressional initiatives such as major infrastructure bills for aviation, surface transportation, water, and pipeline transportation. His leadership and negotiating skills earned him the respect of Members in both the House and the U. S. Senate, on both sides of the aisle, and their key aides and advisors.

“Jim Coon is one of the most highly regarded congressional staff members in Washington today,” said NATA President and CEO Tom Hendricks. “His ability to shape complex legislative issues and respectfully work across party lines for the good of the traveling public will rapidly propel NATA to a leading position within the Washington policy establishment. We’re thrilled to welcome Jim to our senior leadership team.”

Coon will lead NATA’s policy, strategy and advocacy efforts. “NATA’s role as the voice of aviation businesses has never been more critical,” said Coon. “NATA members help create thousands of jobs and provide much-needed transportation service for businesses and underserved communities. Helping create policies that protect this vital sector of the economy is NATA’s core mission, and I’m very pleased to be joining this experienced team.

NATA is also pleased to announce the promotion of Amy B. Koranda to vice president. Koranda will add several major association programs to her current responsibilities as head of NATA’s highly regarded Safety 1st Program. Said Hendricks, "Amy’s vast aviation experience, business acumen and leadership will provide our members and organization a level of service and expertise unparalleled within Washington trade associations."

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NATA, the voice of aviation business, is the public policy group representing the interests of aviation businesses before the Congress and federal agencies.