Darren Pleasance replacing Mark Baker Jan 1.

bflynn

bflynn

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Not sure if we’ve all missed this or just me not but I’m just catching up on email and found this from AOPA. Mark Baker will step down Jan 1 as AOPA president.

He will be replace by Darren Pleasance. Who is he?

www.aopa.org

Pilot, business leader to command AOPA

A passionate pilot who flew professionally (and competitively) before mastering the business world has been selected to become AOPA’s sixth president and chief executive.
www.aopa.org
 
I was going to be open minded, until I saw this. Smacks of insiders taking care of one another to me. Maybe it's not the case, but doesn't look good IMO. It's good to have friends in the right places.

They used the word "conspired" so I guess they aren't hiding it.

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This could seal the deal on ending my membership.
 
Meh, pretty sure that "conspired" refers to the surprise, not the sweepstakes results. Aviation is a pretty small community, so perhaps just a coincidence that Pleasance knew the winner. Not a great look for the incoming AOPA president, I agree, but I'm not quite ready to get any pitchforks out of storage unless there's actually evidence of wrongdoing.
 
AvNavCom said:
Meh, pretty sure that "conspired" refers to the surprise, not the sweepstakes results. Aviation is a pretty small community, so perhaps just a coincidence that Pleasance knew the winner. Not a great look for the incoming AOPA president, I agree, but I'm not quite ready to get any pitchforks out of storage unless there's actually evidence of wrongdoing.
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How does it come to AOPA's attention that the randomly selected winner's college roommate, Pleasance, is notified in advance to help surprise the winner? Where did that knowledge come from?

Then the roommate goes on to become next AOPA CEO?
 
Is he competent and qualified?

That should be what matters.
 
Walboy said:
How does it come to AOPA's attention that the randomly selected winner's college roommate, Pleasance, is notified in advance to help surprise the winner? Where did that knowledge come from?

Then the roommate goes on to become next AOPA CEO?
Click to expand...
I remember previous AOPA and other sweepstakes where they organized a surprise reception to present the new owner with the airplane s/he won. That kind of thing makes for a better story...
 
They’ve done that on other sweepstakes - work with the winner’s friends and associates to set them up for a surprise in person with the plane. A bit better press and more fun than just sending an email saying “hey, you won, call us.”
 
I have no confidence this guy will be any better. AOPA has passed the point where the original mission is the primary focus. It now exists to draw as much money from the members, to be enjoyed by the management, while issuing PRs that make it sound like they are working hard.
 
MountainDude said:
I have no confidence this guy will be any better. AOPA has passed the point where the original mission is the primary focus. It now exists to draw as much money from the members, to be enjoyed by the management, while issuing PRs that make it sound like they are working hard.
Click to expand...
I tend to agree, which is why I cancelled my membership earlier this year. BUT, it is hard (maybe impossible) to know what demons they have managed to shove back in Pandora's box over the years.
 
I have been a member of AOPA for 50 years. They were able to fight off user fees which probably paid for many of those years of membership. I’m waiting to see what they are able to do relative to 100LL replacement. Then I will make a decision as to whether to continue my membership or not. I worked in the aerospace R&D echo system. I known it is hard, but 10 years should be enough time to make it work. They have 5 years…. Tick…tick…tick….
 
I'm a life member for two reasons: it's better to have any voice in DC than no voice at all; and the air safety institute.

Their podcasts are also excellent.

I'll be interested to see how the new president runs things. I do think that AOPA is overall a very positive asset for our community. Having had some involvement with the FAA medical folks, I can tell you that AOPA was one of the main voices that helped push Basic Med through. Imperfect as it is, that's a hell of an improvement on what we had before. There are a LOT of voices in DC and state/local governments that aren't particularly GA friendly. I'd much rather than an imperfect organization making some kind of pushback than no organized lobbying.
 
Here we go again. Another bash AOPA thread. Don’t know the guy and don’t care. AOPA has lost focus, doesn’t deliver, and this guy isn’t going to change anything. Let the stupid high salaries remain.
 
Since presidents (except POA presidents) at all levels tend to be crooks, this seems like a perfect fit.
 
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