Writer

Mark Phelps

Alan Darrow Vice president Alan Darrow is&nbsp; the vice president,&nbsp; CFO and secretary of NATA. As such, he is responsible for ensuring the overall financial health of the organization, and as secretary he serves as the staff coordinator to the board of directors. He directs all the member-service programs, including workers compensation, NATA Safety 1st and the convention. 

He is also responsible for all accounting, finance and office administration. Darrow is the staff liaison to the business management committee. He is also the secretary and treasurer of NATA’s educational foundation and is a board member of the Aviation Training Institute and NATA Services Co. 

Before joining NATA in 1995, Darrow held similar positions at NBAA and a number of other associations in the chemical, consumer products and banking industries.

Eric Byer Director of government &amp; industry affairs Eric Byer is the director of government and industry affairs for NATA. In this role he serves as the primary lobbyist for the association on Capitol Hill, and has direct interaction with members of Congress and their staff on issues of importance to NATA members. 

As NATA’s representative on Capitol Hill, Byer drafts witness testimony, legislative reports, press releases, action calls and other material as it pertains to the association’s legislative activities. He also administers the association’s political action committee, “NATAPAC,” and coordinates fundraising events for members of Congress and special events with other government agencies.

Clifton Stroud Director of communications Clifton Stroud was appointed director of communications for NATA in early 1999. He has overall responsibility for NATA’s media relations, the association’s monthly publication NATA News and three additional newsletters and various publications, in addition to managing NATA’s Web site.

Stroud has been involved in business aviation communications for more than 19 years. He has held senior marketing communications positions with Atlantic Aviation and Airwork, and has served as editor of two industry publications–Professional Pilot and Aviation Maintenance. He also served as editor of McGraw-Hill’s ATC Market Report, a biweekly newsletter covering the international air traffic control market. 

A native Philadelphian, Stroud graduated from the William Penn Charter School and holds a B.A. in psychology from Syracuse University. 

Beth Van Emburgh Manager of government &amp; industry affairs Beth Van Emburgh joined NATA as manager of government and industry affairs last December. She focuses on airport security and environmental issues and serves as the staff liaison for the NATA Airports Committee.

Van Emburgh came to NATA after serving more than a year in the civil aviation department at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) and three years in regulatory affairs at the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE). She focused on general-aviation airport issues at AAAE and on international and domestic noise and emissions policy issues at AIA. She is a graduate of Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania and began her aviation career in 1997 with the public affairs department of United Parcel Service in Washington, D.C.

Stan Mackiewicz Representative of government &amp; industry affairs In January, Stan Mackiewicz joined NATA as representative of government and industry affairs. Mackiewicz comes to NATA having recently served as a consultant on business development and government affairs with a number of aerospace companies. Previously, he was the executive director of Embry-Riddle’s Aviation and Space Technology Academy in Daytona Beach, Fla. He also served as president of the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA). Additionally, he has held management positions with UNC Airwork, Sundstrand, Williams International and Avco Lycoming.

Mackiewicz holds a B.S. in Aeronautics from Parks College of St. Louis University and a commercial pilot certificate with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He serves as the staff liaison to NATA’s flight-training committee and the airline services council and as the primary NATA liaison with the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board.

Daniel Dent Director of membership services Daniel Dent joined NATA as director of membership services in November 2001. Dent brings 37 years of sales, marketing and publishing experience to his assignment at NATA. He directs the application of current membership benefits while seeking new benefit opportunities for the growing membership base. In addition, he coordinates membership solicitation with other NATA departments, such as the Safety 1st program. 

Before joining NATA, Dent was publisher of Aviation Maintenance magazine. He has also held executive publishing positions at Crain Communications, Corporate Finance magazine, National Geographic and the first Life magazine.

Amy Koranda Manager of education &amp; training As manager of education and training for NATA, Amy Koranda is responsible for developing the association’s educational offerings and for coordinating its scholarship activities through the National Air Transportation Foundation. She has more than 17 years of experience in association management as well as corporate aviation–and more than 31 years as a pilot and flight instructor.
Koranda’s past corporate aviation work includes passport and visa procurement through her corporation, ASAP Passports and Visas, for more than 10 years. Her past association work includes the National Association of State Aviation Officials Center for Aviation Research and Education and AOPA.

Koranda earned her commercial certificate in single- and multi-engine aircraft and holds an instrument rating and flight instructor certificate. She is an honors graduate of Florida Tech and has a B.S. in Air Commerce with a Flight Technology Option.

Diane Gleason Manager of meetings &amp; conventions Diane Gleason has been with NATA for more than four years as manager of meetings and conventions. As the NATA meetings manager she manages the logistics, function space and special requirements for the NATA annual convention. She has more than 16 years of experience with exhibitions and conventions. Gleason has also worked for NBAA and the American Trucking Association.

M. Johanna O’Toole Manager of financial services Johanna O’Toole has served as manager of financial services for NATA since November 1998. In this capacity she handles all of the financial transactions for the association and the management information systems for NATA. O’Toole has more than 22 years of association management experience, starting in 1981 at NBAA. She has worked in all aspects of association management.

Jacqueline Rosser Manager of flight operations Jacqueline Rosser is the manager of flight operations. She has been with NATA since 1997 and is responsible for managing issues related to Part 135 air charter and fractional-ownership operations. She also communicates important changes in regulations to the membership. In addition to representing the charter and fractional-ownership members before the FAA, Rosser is responsible for excise tax, customs, INS regulations and drug-testing issues.

Rosser is a graduate of Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and holds degrees in aviation management and aviation flight. She is also a commercial pilot and certified flight instructo