NBAA hands day-to-day leadership to Dan Hubbard as Ed Bolen takes leave for cancer treatment

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the main US trade group representing business aviation, has installed a veteran staffer as its interim operational leader while its longtime chief executive undergoes treatment for cancer.

The association announced the change on 18 September, barely a month before its flagship annual gathering, the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), opens in Las Vegas.

Dan Hubbard, a 22-year NBAA veteran who has served as senior vice-president of communications since 2008, has been appointed interim chief operating officer. The association has also designated him as its day-to-day lead while president and CEO Ed Bolen takes a leave of absence to focus on his health. NBAA did not provide details on Bolen’s condition.

Bolen has led the association since 2004, making him one of the longest-serving heads of a major US aviation trade body. Board chair John Witzig said the organisation wishes him a full recovery as he takes the time he needs.

In announcing the transition, NBAA highlighted Hubbard’s long role in shaping the group’s brand and his deep involvement in its external affairs, partnerships and advocacy work both in the United States and internationally. Hubbard said he was honoured to step in and lead the team, adding that the association is positioned to keep serving members effectively without interruption.

The group also disclosed a second senior staffing change: Heidi Williams, who previously led NBAA’s regulatory policy work, has been promoted to senior vice-president of operations. That position had been held by Douglas Carr, who retired in July.

While NBAA is a trade association rather than a publicly traded company, its annual convention is a bellwether event for the business aviation supply chain, which overlaps with the broader aerospace and defence industrial base. Listed companies with exposure to that sector include National Presto Industries (NPK), an Industrials-sector firm with an aerospace and defence classification whose defence and safety products unit sits alongside its housewares business. NPK shares were changing hands at $144.01 in recent trading, down 1.72% from a previous close of $146.52, giving the company a market capitalisation of roughly $1.06 billion.

The timing of the leadership shift, just ahead of NBAA-BACE, means Hubbard will oversee the association’s largest member-facing event of the year. The association has not indicated how long Bolen’s leave will last.

What to watch

• The start of NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas in October, where Hubbard will lead the association’s operations.
• Any further NBAA announcements on the duration of Bolen’s leave or permanent leadership plans.
• How Heidi Williams’ expanded operations role takes shape following Douglas Carr’s July retirement.

Source: original release