Cheri Rudd, ‘The Voice of NBAA,’ Dies

Cheri Rudd, who served as the gatekeeper at NBAA as the manager of office coordination for nearly 30 years, died unexpectedly October 15. Rudd joined the association in 1990 as a receptionist after holding a number of similar posts in various other Washington, D.C. organizations.

“She quickly became known by everyone associated with NBAA as a reliable resource who possessed superior customer-service skills,” NBAA said. Rudd had an uncanny ability to recognize voices of the numerous callers into NBAA, as well as the almost a Radar O’Reilly sense of what visitors needed and where they should be directed as soon as they entered the NBAA offices.

“We at NBAA are heartbroken to have lost our friend and colleague Cheri Rudd,” said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “Cheri was an extraordinary human being and a true professional. For as long as I can remember, Cheri has been the voice of NBAA, and the first point of contact for many association members. She greeted everyone—either on the phone or in person—with a warmth, grace, and level of expertise that was both reassuring and welcoming.”

So highly valued to the association, Rudd was among the first employees to be inducted into the “Order of the Orange Crate,” a recognition of staff members who “make NBAA a great organization,” the association said.