The Aircraft Electronics Association's (AEA) board of directors has appointed Mike Adamson as its president and chief executive officer, effective 25 March 2019.

He succeeds Paula Derks, who is retiring next spring after serving since 1996, and will be based at its international headquarters in Lee's Summit, Missouri. The AEA represents nearly 1,300 member companies in more than 40 countries, including avionics manufacturers and government-certified international repair stations specialising in maintenance, repair and installation of avionics and electronic systems in general aviation aircraft.

Having joined as director of training and education in 1999, Adamson has served as AEA vice president of member programmes and education since 2007 and has been responsible for the AEA's training and education initiatives.

He was also executive director of the AEA Educational Foundation that administers a scholarship programme for aircraft and avionics maintenance technicians for which it has awarded over $1.5 million to more than 500 students.

Previously Adamson served in critical customer-facing positions at two Fortune 100 companies and managed equipment sales contracts with major aircraft manufacturers in both commercial and general aviation market segments. He is also a military veteran, having served in the US Navy as an aircraft maintenance office administrator in a combat-ready squadron.

In addition, he was an executive officer for the ASTM International Committee F46 on Aerospace Personnel and has served as a member of ASTM Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems. He was a founding board member for the National Center for Aerospace & Transportation Technologies and has served on the programme advisory councils for the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology in Oklahoma and Tarrant County College in Texas.

Adamson says: “I am committed to enhancing the profitability of our members through a broad range of programmes and services and to further our position as aviation's technology experts. The AEA will continue to be out front on the important issues affecting our membership and provide leadership on the organisational and philosophical changes taking place within the international regulatory authorities.”