AOPA CEO Darren Pleasance Steps Down

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) has named CFO Jill Baker and senior v-p of membership strategy and growth Katie Pribyl as acting co-presidents to run day-to-day operations while the association searches for a permanent successor to fill the role of president and CEO Darren Pleasance, who has stepped down. In an announcement today, AOPA said that Pleasance is moving into an advisory capacity supporting the association and its board of trustees.

“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 in a statement. “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 board chairman Jim Hauslein praised Pleasance’s energy, perspective, and commitment to serving pilots. “He has been deeply engaged with our members across the country, taking time to listen to their experiences, understand their challenges, and represent their voices in the work we do every day. We are grateful for his leadership and are pleased he will continue to support AOPA during this transition,” Hauslein said.

“I’m incredibly proud of what we were able to set in motion at AOPA in a relatively short period of time,” Pleasance said. “In addition, I had the opportunity to meet thousands of members across the country, hear their stories, and work on issues that matter to everyday pilots, which has been deeply meaningful. The most special part of AOPA, though, is the staff. The people here care deeply about pilots and the mission, and it’s been a privilege to work alongside them.”

AOPA stressed that the team and staff remain fully focused on their membership services and advocacy work. Both Baker and Pribyl have been members of AOPA’s executive leadership team and will steer the organization’s operations, staff, and strategic execution, ensuring continuity of leadership and decision-making across the association.

Baker joined the association in May 2024 with three decades in finance leadership roles at banking and other institutions. Pribyl, a former pilot with Atlantic Coast Airlines, is a 14-year veteran at AOPA and has been involved in the general aviation industry for more than 20 years.

Pleasance took the helm of AOPA in January 2025, succeeding Mark Baker. He brought with him more than 8,000 hours of flight time in more than 50 different types of aircraft, as well as experience as a corporate pilot, working for celebrities such as John Travolta.

The AOPA board expects to launch a search shortly for a permanent successor.