AOPA President Stepping Down

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) is searching for a new president.

On Wednesday the organization announced Darren Pleasance, the current president and CEO, will be moving into an advisory capacity to support AOPA and the board of trustees as they look for their next leader.

Pleasance was named president and CEO in January 2025. He divided his time between his home in Bend, Oregon, and AOPA headquarters in Frederick, Maryland.

“Over time, it’s become increasingly clear that the AOPA CEO role should be based full-time in Frederick, Maryland, at AOPA’s headquarters,” an AOPA news release stated. “The AOPA board appreciates the substantial time Darren has spent traveling from his home in Bend, Oregon, to be present in Frederick and with members across the country. Recognizing this, now is the right time to transition leadership in a way that best supports the organization’s long-term needs.”

Pleasance said he was proud of what was accomplished at AOPA during his short stint.

“I had the opportunity to meet thousands of members across the country, hear their stories, and work on issues that matter to everyday pilots, which has been deeply meaningful,” he said. “The most special part of AOPA, though, is the staff. The people here care deeply about pilots and the mission, and it’s been a privilege to work alongside them.”

Jim Hauslein, chairman of the AOPA board of trustees, said Pleasance brought “energy, perspective, and a deep commitment to serving pilots and protecting the freedom to fly.”

“He has been deeply engaged with our members across the country, taking time to listen to their experiences, understand their challenges, and represent their voices in the work we do every day,” Hauslein said. “We are grateful for his leadership and are pleased he will continue to support AOPA during this transition.”

Effective immediately, the association’s day-to-day operations will be jointly led by Jill Baker, chief financial officer, and Katie Pribyl, senior vice president of membership strategy and growth. Both Baker and Pribyl are members of AOPA’s executive leadership team and will guide the organization’s operations, staff, and strategic execution, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision making across the association. They will serve as acting copresidents during this interim period.

The search for a new president is the second change-in-staff announcement from AOPA this week. On Monday, the organization announced the appointment of Dale Klapmeier, cofounder and former CEO of Cirrus Aircraft, to the AOPA board of trustees.

The board will now initiate a formal search for the next president and CEO to lead the organization.

AOPA has been around since 1939 and is dedicated to making aviation more accessible to the public and protecting the rights of aviators through advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels, and creating education and safety programs for pilots of all experiences.