Dan Hubbard becomes interim NBAA leader as CEO Bolen takes medical leave

FlightGlobal reported on 18 September that Dan Hubbard has become interim chief operating officer of the National Business Aviation Association, with day-to-day operational responsibility, while chief executive Ed Bolen steps aside for cancer treatment.

Hubbard, who has been senior vice-president of communications since 2008, was named interim chief operating officer and designated as the association's day-to-day lead while president and CEO Ed Bolen takes a leave of absence for cancer treatment, according to FlightGlobal. The group does not elaborate on Bolen's condition or treatment.

Bolen took over as NBAA chief executive in 2004. Board chair John Witzig said in a statement: "We are wishing Ed a full recovery as he takes the time he needs to focus on his health."

Hubbard is a 22-year veteran of the association. FlightGlobal reports that NBAA says he has been instrumental in "shaping" its brand and has been "deeply involved in NBAA's external affairs, partnerships and advocacy initiatives in the US and globally". In his interim role, Hubbard stated: "NBAA is well-positioned to continue operating seamlessly and serving members strategically and effectively, and I am honoured to step in and lead our dedicated team."

The leadership change comes one month before the start of NBAA's annual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE) in Las Vegas, according to FlightGlobal.

NBAA also announced on 18 September that Heidi Williams, who previously headed its regulatory policy work, is now senior vice-president of operations. That role had previously been held by Douglas Carr, who retired in July.

For charter and fractional operators, the timing places the leadership transition just weeks before NBAA's flagship annual event, when industry leaders gather in Las Vegas to discuss market conditions and operational developments. It is unclear from available reporting whether the convention schedule or programming will be affected by the executive changes, or whether the transitions signal any shift in NBAA's policy priorities for its members.