Joanne “Jo” Damato, CAM, is senior vice president of education, training and workforce development for NBAA. Her responsibilities include leading the team for all of NBAA’s professional development activities – including the association’s Strategic Focus Team, Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) program, Professional Development Programs, certificate programs and the sustainability accreditation, on-demand education, scholarships, student outreach and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts – reflecting NBAA’s emphasis on workforce development through attraction and retention.
A 17-year veteran of the association, Damato joined NBAA in 2001 to manage the association’s Air Traffic Services function at the FAA Air Traffic Control System Command Center until 2007, when she moved on to her current focus on professional development roles within NBAA.
She most recently was NBAA’s vice president, educational strategy and workforce development, and she also previously served as the association’s director of operations and educational development and strategy, where she was responsible for capturing, creating and promoting on-demand distance learning opportunities as part of NBAA’s educational initiatives.
Since January 2019, Damato has been the staff liaison to NBAA’s Business Aviation Management Committee, and she formerly served from 2005-2018 as staff liaison to the NBAA Schedulers & Dispatchers Committee.
In 2020, Damato was appointed to the Department of Transportation’s Youth Access to American Jobs in Aviation Task Force. She is also active with Women in Aviation International, Women in Corporate Aviation and the Florida Tech College of Aeronautics Alumni Board. In 2010, she helped launch an all-volunteer non-profit organization, Sky Hope Network, which in 2018 merged with Patient Air Lift Services.
A current certified flight instructor and NBAA Certified Aviation Manager (CAM), Damato holds a single and multi-engine land instrument rating and a commercial pilot certificate. She has a B.S. in aviation management, flight option specialization, from the Florida Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is a columnist for Aviation for Women magazine.
Prior to joining NBAA, Damato worked in scheduling and was director of pilot training with Executive Jet Management at Cincinnati’s Lunken Airport (LUK).
Updated May 5, 2021
International Business Aviation Council Ltd.