The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) ended its search for a new president on Tuesday when it announced that veteran pilot Thomas Hendricks will take the reins at the organization. He succeeds James Coyne, who announced earlier this year that he will be stepping down at the end of December from the post he has held since 1994.

A retired colonel in the U.S. Air Force reserve, former U.S. Navy officer and instructor pilot at the Navy’s “Top Gun” fighter school, Hendricks most recently served as the senior vice president of safety, security and operations for Airlines for America (formerly the Air Transport Association of America) responsible for all core airline and operational duties as well as developing policy in areas such as flight operations, safety, security and air traffic management. Before this he was director of line operations and a chief pilot for flight operations at Delta Air Lines.

“We are proud to add Tom Hendricks to our team and to have him lead NATA,” said association chairman Jim Sweeney. “His experience and success with driving policy and advocacy programs will bring the visibility that NATA needs to grow and continue to be a strong influence in the aviation industry.”