World's Largest Pilot Community Prepares for Leadership Shift

AOPA has named Darren Pleasance to serve as its new president and chief executive officer. Pleasance, who will join AOPA on 1 January 2025, brings a wealth of aviation and business experience to the role.

Pleasance succeeds Mark Baker, who has served more than 11 years in the top spot at AOPA. Baker announced his intention to retire earlier this year, but committed to remain in the job and assist in the search until the right leader could be found.

“I’m confident that Darren is the right person to lead AOPA into its next chapter,” said Baker. “He is a pilot’s pilot with a genuine passion for flying. He combines that excitement about aviation with leadership experience at some of this country’s top consulting and tech firms, giving him the right balance of business skills and kinship with our members.”

Pleasance has flown over 8,000 hours in more than 50 different types of aircraft ranging from simple trainers to business jets to vintage warbirds, including a P-51 Mustang. Early in his career he flew as a corporate pilot, working for celebrities such as John Travolta before going on to fly charters in the Alaskan bush. He left professional aviation to pursue a career in business, but he never stopped flying. Today he owns and operates a Piper Meridian, a Vans RV-6, and a SeaRey floatplane while maintaining currency as a certificated flight instructor.

Most recently, Pleasance led Cisco's Acceleration Center, an organization formed to accelerate the success of mission-critical aspects of Cisco's business transformation. Prior to joining Cisco, he led global customer acquisitions for Google and served as a partner in consulting firm McKinsey & Co.'s high tech sector and marketing and sales practice. Throughout his business career, Pleasance has remained active in aviation, serving for many years on the board of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA).

AOPA’s Board of Trustees conducted a wide-ranging search to find the right leader for the organization.

"We could not be more gratified about Darren taking the left seat at AOPA," said Bill Trimble, chairman of the Board. "After completing an extensive national search, we met with many terrific candidates, but all agreed that Darren brings a wealth of experience coupled with a joy of flying that will be critical for leading AOPA's mission going forward. We are so grateful for Mark's hard work over the past 11 years and look forward to Darren's leadership at this important time for General Aviation."

Pleasance holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management.