Since taking over as president of the Regional Airline Association (RAA) from Walt Coleman six years ago, Debby McElroy has steered the organization toward a more vocal and active role in government affairs, helped heighten the regional airline industry’s influence over transportation policy and shepherded the association through some of the most tumultuous and transformative times in the history of air transport. On December 15 that memorable chapter in the group’s history officially closed when McElroy left the association to assume her new role as senior vice president of government affairs with Airports Council International-North America (ACI-NA).

No doubt McElroy’s heightened profile around Washington has brought her name to the attention of many in power, an attribute that should serve her well as ACI-NA’s chief lobbying coordinator. The current president of the board of governors for the Aero Club of Washington, McElroy also serves on the NGATS Institute Management Council, the Flight Safety Foundation’s board of governors and the RTCA Policy Board. She participates in the Transportation Security Administration’s Aviation Security Advisory Committee, the U.S. Transportation Research Board’s Regional Aviation Subcommittee and several FAA advisory committees.

“Because of [McElroy’s record], it’s no surprise at all that she’d attract the attention of ACI or other such groups, with offers like the one she’s accepted being a direct reflection of the great work she’s done on our behalf and a tremendous, well deserved compliment to her and her professional capability,” said RAA chairman Jeff Pinneo.

Before joining the RAA in 1987, McElroy worked for the U.S. International Trade Commission as its senior aerospace industry analyst and the U.S. Department of Labor as an international economist.