Story ID: 
ICAO Appointments Strengthen U.S. Representation 
By: Gordon Gilbert
Caption: Several leadership changes, including two U.S.
Word Count: 152
Several leadership changes, including two U.S. appointments, have recently been made at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Montreal-based group that provides recommendations and standards intended to be followed by its 189 member countries. Assad Kotaite, who will retire on July 31 after nearly 30 years as ICAO Council president, will be replaced by Kobeh González, who has served as ICAO representative of Mexico. From a U.S. perspective, Don Bliss, a lawyer with a strong transportation background, has been appointed the U.S. member of the ICAO Council. Bliss, supported by NBAA and other U.S. aviation trade groups, fills the position vacated more than a year ago by Ed Stimpson. Steve Creamer, formerly with the FAA, has been named U.S. representative on ICAO’s Air Navigation Commission. The senior staff of U.S. representation is completed with the ongoing presence of alternate council member and economic advisor Claudia Serwer.