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Former American CEO Starting Nonprofit to Promote Aviation Careers

Former American Airlines Chairman and CEO Doug Parker is starting a nonprofit designed to “remove the barriers that exist for underrepresented young adults to have rewarding careers in aviation, particularly as pilots.”

Ryan Ewing
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American Airlines CEO Doug Parker speaks to the Snowball Express crowd in Dallas [Photo: AirlineGeeks/Parker Davis]
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Key Takeaways:

  • Former American Airlines CEO Doug Parker has launched a new nonprofit named Breaking Down Barriers (BDB).
  • BDB's mission is to remove barriers and create career opportunities in aviation, especially for pilots, for underrepresented young adults.
  • Dana Donati, former CEO of United's Aviate Academy, has been appointed as the CEO of BDB, which aims to address the industry's pilot shortage by diversifying talent.
Key takeaways sponsored by Aviator Pro | Start Your Training ->
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Former American Airlines Chairman and CEO Doug Parker is starting a nonprofit, according to a Linkedin post on Monday. Parker, who served as CEO of America West, US Airways, and then American for 22 years, said the new charity will “remove the barriers that exist for underrepresented young adults to have rewarding careers in aviation, particularly as pilots.”

Parker’s organization will be named Breaking Down Barriers (BDB).

Ryan Ewing

Ryan is Group President of Firecrown Media’s Aviation Group, overseeing a portfolio that includes FLYING, AirlineGeeks, AVweb, Plane + Pilot, KITPLANES, and AircraftForSale.com. He founded AirlineGeeks.com in February 2013 and has more than a decade of experience across aviation media, airport operations, airline workforce planning, and Part 135 regulatory compliance. His experience ranges from time behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing aviation industry executives. Ryan holds a B.S. in Air Transportation Management and an MBA from Arizona State University and is an adjunct instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

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