March 27, 2018
NBAA praised Paula Derks on her tenure as president of the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) after she announced her retirement this week. Derks made the announcement in her annual state of the association address that she will be stepping down in a year’s time, after 22 years leading the organization.
AEA, which was founded in 1957, is an international trade organization that provides regulatory representation, training and member services to nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including government-certified international repair stations specializing in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft. AEA’s membership also includes manufacturers of avionics equipment, instrument repair facilities, instrument manufacturers, airframe manufacturers, test equipment manufacturers, major distributors, engineers and educational institutions.
“Paula Derks has been an effective leader for the general aviation community for more than two decades,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Her passion, dedication and expertise are recognized in Washington and around the country. She is a great colleague and friend. I am pleased we will be able to have her leadership for many more months.”
Derks, who was named AEA president in 1996, will retire after the conclusion of the association’s convention next year in Palm Springs, CA.
“I have stood at this podium every year for the last 22 years as the president of this association, and prior to that, I have worked for this great organization since the day I graduated from college nearly 40 years ago,” Derks said in an AEA press release. “As you might imagine, the AEA is my passion. This may seem unusual to announce 12 months out, but I want this succession to be as smooth as possible for AEA.”
Before ascending to the presidency of AEA, Derks worked as the organization’s director of communications. She also served as chairman of the board of trustees for the Aviation Accreditation Board International, and is a charter member of Women in Aviation, International and a member of the National Aeronautics Association.
In October 2016, Derks was the first inductee into the University of Central Missouri (UCM) Public Relations Hall of Fame. Derks also was named UCM’s Distinguished Alumna of the Year in 2004.
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.