GAMA Salutes FAA’s Dorenda Baker, Welcomes New Senior Leaders

Washington, DC –– The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today released the following statement about the retirement of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Certification Service Executive Director Dorenda Baker, and the appointments of Earl Lawrence and Jay Merkle to the roles of Aircraft Certification Service Executive Director and Director for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, respectively:

“It’s been our pleasure to work closely with Dorenda throughout her 32-year tenure within the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR). She has played a pivotal role in defining a strategic vision and organization for AIR Transformation while establishing a culture of partnership and collaboration among stakeholders to effectively respond to safety, technology and efficiency needs. This has helped build a foundation for future success through streamlining the efficiency of the FAA’s certification and validation processes. Under Dorenda’s leadership, our industry has made important progress in several key areas, including an update to the FAA and Industry Guide to Product Certification, the establishment of an Organization Delegation Authorization (ODA) Scorecard, the ODA Continuous Improvement Team, and the Part 23 rewrite.”

“We also want to welcome Earl Lawrence and Jay Merkle to their key FAA roles. Earl and Jay will provide leadership continuity within their divisions and spur the Agency’s improving working relationships with the industry. We look forward to collaborating closely with each of them to improve regulatory processes that enable keeping pace with rapid technological and safety innovation change for the advancement of the general aviation industry.”

For additional information, please contact Sarah McCann, GAMA Director of Communications, at +1 (202) 637-1375 or smccann@gama.aero.

GAMA is an international trade association representing over 100 of the world's leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft, engines, avionics, components and related services. GAMA's members also operate repair stations, fixed based operations, pilot and maintenance training facilities and manage fleets of aircraft. For more information, visit GAMA's website at www.GAMA.aero.