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Outgoing AOPA President and CEO Darren Pleasance.
Darren Pleasance will be replaced as president and CEO of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) just over a year after being appointed to the job, the advocacy group representing general aviation pilots announced Feb. 4.
Pleasance is transitioning into an advisory capacity to support the AOPA board in the search for a new leader, the association said. A corporate pilot early in his career, Pleasance was named AOPA’s sixth president and CEO in January 2025, replacing the long-serving Mark Baker. He had previously worked in executive roles for Cisco, Google, and McKinsey & Co.
“Over time, it’s become increasingly clear that the AOPA CEO role should be based full-time in Frederick, Maryland, at AOPA’s headquarters,” the association said. “The AOPA Board appreciates the substantial time Darren has spent traveling from his home in Bend, Oregon, to be present in Frederick and with members across the country. Recognizing this, 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 led by its chief financial officer, Jill Baker, and Senior Vice President of Membership Strategy and Growth Katie Pribyl, who will serve as acting co-presidents during the search period, the association said.
Incorporated in 1939, AOPA reports having 300,000 members. Last month, the association issued a “call to action” asking members to urge their representatives in Congress to support legislation addressing concerns over the use of ADS-B data, including by some airports to charge fees from pilots. AOPA has also been out front in representing pilots as the GA industry transitions to the use of solely unleaded aviation gasoline.
The process of choosing a new chief executive will be “thoughtful, inclusive, and aligned with the long-term needs of AOPA’s members and the general aviation community,” the association said.
“Darren has brought energy, perspective, and a deep commitment to serving pilots and protecting the freedom to fly,” said AOPA Chairman Jim Hauslein. “We are grateful for his leadership and are pleased he will continue to support AOPA during this transition.”
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