The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has revealed its 2025 Executive Committee leadership team, responsible for guiding the association’s strategic direction and policy initiatives. The team, elected during GAMA’s fall board meeting, highlights a diverse group of leaders with significant expertise in the aviation industry.

Henry Brooks, president of the power and controls division at Collins Aerospace, will assume the role of chair of the board. Brooks previously served as the U.S.-based industry group's vice chair and chaired the Security Issues Committee.

Ron Draper, president and CEO of Textron Aviation, will take over as vice chair. Draper previously served as chair of GAMA's Flight Operations Policy Committee.

Chuck Wiplinger, president and CEO of Wipaire, will transition to immediate past chair after serving as GAMA’s 2024 chair. Wiplinger has also led the Policy and Legal Issues Committee and the Technical Policy Committee.

Several appointments were announced for GAMA’s policy committees: Tony Brancato, president of business aviation at StandardAero, will continue as chair of the Airworthiness and Maintenance Policy Committee. This committee collaborates with authorities to shape regulations and policies affecting maintenance and repair stations; JJ Frigge, president of Hartzell Propeller, will chair the Communications Committee, focusing on promoting the value of general aviation to the global economy and air transportation system; Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of Beta Technologies, and Oliver Reinhardt, chief risk and certification officer at Volocopter, will co-chair the Electric Propulsion and Innovation Committee (EPIC). The committee supports the development and integration of emerging aircraft technologies, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles.

Other leaders will extend their terms in critical roles:

• Frank Moesta, senior v-p of strategy and future programs at Rolls-Royce, will remain chair of the Environment Committee, addressing key issues such as CO2 reduction, sustainable aviation fuels, and supersonic aircraft development.
• Carlos Brana, senior executive v-p of civil aircraft at Dassault Aviation, will continue to lead the European Leaders Steering Committee, advocating for sustainability and regulatory progress in Europe.
• Allen Paxson, v-p of commercial strategy for GE Aerospace, will continue as chair of the Technical Policy Committee, which collaborates with authorities to enhance certification processes and technical standards for general aviation products.
• Charlie Gregoire, president and COO of Redbird Flight, will remain chair of the Safety and Accident Investigation Committee.
• John Calcagno, president and CEO of Piper Aircraft, will extend his leadership of the Policy and Legal Issues Committee.

GAMA also welcomed first-time chairs:

• Bob Buddecke, president of electronic solutions at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, will chair the Flight Operations Policy Committee, which addresses challenges in air transportation infrastructure.
• Thierry Betbeze, CEO of Dassault Falcon Jet, will lead the Security Issues Committee, focusing on best practices and engagement with government agencies on aviation security.

GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce expressed gratitude for the incoming and outgoing leaders. “As we begin a year of GAMA leadership transition with my good friend, Jim Viola, taking the GAMA reins, I want to thank this impressive list of industry leaders, as well as all those who have stepped forward in the past, for devoting their precious time and talents to serve all of civil aviation," he commented. "On both sides of the Atlantic, we are so fortunate to have this high level of experience and expertise to forge the continued growth of general aviation on a global scale.”