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Darren Pleasance will become AOPA president & CEO on Jan. 1, 2025.
Pleasance added: “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.”
Pleasance’s aviation journey began as a teenager, first through flying model aircraft and later exchanging chores around the airport for flying lessons. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.
He flew as a corporate pilot early in his career, working for John Travolta and other celebrities and then flying charters in the Alaskan bush. He left professional aviation to pursue a career in business, working for consulting firm McKinsey & Co., Google and, most recently, Cisco. Pleasance is also a published author, writing True North: A Handbook for Inspired Living to lead readers through a practical guide to finding fulfillment. He often cites aviation as a source of inspiration and joy for himself.
Pleasance never stopped flying, and he served for many years on the board of the Experimental Aircraft Association. He has accumulated more than 8,000 hours in more than 50 different types of aircraft, ranging from simple trainers to business jets to vintage warbirds. Today he owns and operates a Piper Meridian, a Vans RV-6 and a SeaRey floatplane while maintaining currency as a certificated flight instructor.
AOPA’s board of trustees conducted an extensive search to find Baker’s successor.
“We could not be more gratified about Darren taking the left seat at AOPA,” said Bill Trimble, chairman of the board. “After completing an extensive national search, we met with many terrific candidates, but all agreed that Darren brings a wealth of experience coupled with a joy of flying that will be critical for leading AOPA’s mission going forward. We are so grateful for Mark’s hard work over the past 11 years and look forward to Darren’s leadership at this important time for general aviation.”
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