It had become clear that AOPA’s CEO should be full-time and based at their Maryland headquarters. The AOPA Board appreciates the substantial time Darren Pleasance, outgoing CEO, has spent traveling from his home in Oregon to be present at headquarters and with members across the country. Recognizing this, the decision was made that now is the right time to transition leadership in a way that best supports the organization’s long-term needs. AOPA’s day-to-day operations will be jointly led by Chief Financial Officer Jill Baker and Senior Vice President of Membership Strategy and Growth Katie Pribyl, who will serve as Acting Co-Presidents during this interim period. Both are members of AOPA’s executive leadership team and will lead the organization’s operations, staff, and strategic execution, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making across the association. AOPA’s leadership team and staff remain fully focused on the work pilots rely on every day, including advocacy at all levels of government, advancing aviation safety and training, and delivering trusted member programs and services as the Board conducts a thoughtful search for AOPA’s next leader.

—Please visit https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/allnews/2026/february/04/pr-aopa-announces-leadership-transition-as-ceo-moves-to-advisory-role to read more.