This website uses cookies
More information
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Why visit ACE ’25?

Related background information from the Handbook...
The monthly news publication for aviation professionals.

Request your printed copy

NATA names new board members
Founded in 1940, NATA represents the interests of the US general aviation to government. The considerable experience shared by three new members of its board will help guide the association as it continues to grow.
StandardAero president, business aviation Marc Drobny joins the NATA board of directors.

The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) has announced the election of three new members to its board of directors: Marc Drobny, president, business aviation, StandardAero in Scottsdale, Arizona; Geoffrey Heck, SVP of operations, Signature Flight Support in Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Mike Magni, president, Monaco Air Duluth in Duluth, Minnesota.

“We are pleased to add these exceptional new members to our board,” states NATA president Gary Dempsey. “NATA relies on the capability and commitment of the board of directors to guide the association as it grows. NATA's board of directors is comprised of the finest leaders from all areas of the general aviation industry and we appreciate their dedication, leadership and support.”

Drobny joined StandardAero in March 2018 and is responsible for leading the company's business aviation division, which is dedicated to the maintenance, repair and overhaul of non-commercial, business aviation aircraft. He reports directly to the CEO and is a member of the company's executive leadership team. Previously serving as president of Executive Jet Management, he holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis and is a graduate of the United States Navy Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland.

Heck has over 33 years of aviation experience, 23 of which are with BBA Aviation's FBO chain, Signature Flight Support.. In October 2018, he was appointed to a newly created position within the company of senior vice president of operations East, Canada and Caribbean,.

Originally from St Paul, Minnesota, Heck flew freight and air ambulances early in his career before joining Regent Aviation where, during his ten years there, he rose from line service technician to general manager. In 1995 he was recruited by Signature Flight Support MSP for airline operations and was again promoted in 2006 to regional vice president for the Midwest to oversee 15 locations. In 2013 he was asked to head up the newly combined position of senior vice president of sales and marketing and brand extension, a role he held for six years leading up to his current position. He currently lives in Eagan, Minnesota, with his wife of 23 years, Wanda, and their four children.

Magni has served as Monaco Air Duluth president for 13 years. Previously he served as a managing director of IT development at American Airlines' Sabre division, and prior to that as a systems engineer and marketing manager with Galileo International, a consortium of eleven international airlines.

Magni enjoys the outdoors and, when not mountain biking or surfing the northshore of Lake Superior, can often be found nordic or downhill skiing. He is a multi-engine instructor pilot, but mostly enjoys flying low and slow in the backcountry.

Other News
 
Able Aerospace certified as Green Aviation Business
October 10, 2024
Able achieved certification by installing a machine-learning system on air compressors to reduce energy, installing motion-sensor lighting and implementing an energy management system for heating and cooling.
Duncan recognised by NATA as Tier 2 green aviation business
August 19, 2024
Avflight network earns NATA sustainability certification
August 15, 2024
Signature signs purchase agreement for Dulles Jet Center
August 5, 2024
With its large network and excellent reputation for customer service, Signature is well-positioned to continue and perhaps expand Dulles Jet Center's operations.
NATA elects three new members to board
July 1, 2024