Emerick Announces “Open Process” Initiative, Requests Member Recommendations

Contact: Cassandra Bosco

Washington, DC, April 7, 2004 – National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) Board Vice Chairman Ken Emerick today requested Member advice and counsel regarding the Association’s search for a new president and CEO. The search was triggered by the departure on April 1 of former NBAA President and CEO Shelley A. Longmuir.

“We would like to pursue an accelerated, open process as we conduct the search for the next NBAA president and chief executive officer,” said Emerick, who also serves as chairman of the Search Committee established last week to recommend candidates for the position to NBAA’s Board of Directors. “As part of that open process, we need to fully understand our Members’ hopes for this role.

“Consequently, I am asking that NBAA Members provide recommendations to the Search Committee in the form of qualifications or nominations for the position. We will consider all of this important feedback as we work to identify the best candidates to recommend to the Board. Additionally, we will be formally requesting a separate series of recommendations from each of NBAA’s 16 Standing Committees,” Emerick added.

This input is being requested in electronic form to be e-mailed directly to kemerick@nbaa.org. Alternatively, an online form has been established to facilitate input to Chairman Emerick at www.nbaa.org/next.

“I believe that this outreach, inclusion and openness will assist the Board in making a decision in the best interest of the business aviation community.” Emerick concluded.

The Search Committee consists of four members of NBAA’s 16-person Board of Directors: Emerick, Sylvia L. Jennings, James E. Cooling and Associate Member Advisory Council Vice Chairman Aaron Hilkemann.

NBAA represents the aviation interests of more than 7,600 companies that own or operate general aviation aircraft as an aid to the conduct of their business, or are involved with business aviation. NBAA Member Companies earn annual revenues approaching $5 trillion — a number that is about half the gross domestic product — and employ more than 19 million people worldwide. The NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention is the world’s largest display of civil aviation products and services.

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