The National Business Aviation Association has appointed Stewart D'Leon as director, technical operations, replacing Elias ‘Eli’ Cotti, who is retiring after 20 years with the association.

Cotti joined NBAA in November 1999 as the association's senior manager, technical operations, providing technical assistance to the business aviation community that enables companies to perform aircraft maintenance at the highest level. In this position he facilitated, coordinated and developed certification policies on behalf of the NBAA to increase dispatching and reduce cost of ownership.

Cotti represented the business aviation community as an International Business Aviation Council observer to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection. He developed Standard and Recommended Practices for global certification of aircraft, emission and noise, and worked on the Carbon Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, a global, market-based measure meant to complement a broader basket of initiatives to achieve the global goal of carbon-neutral growth from 2020 onward. Cotti also served as staff liaison to the NBAA Maintenance, Technical and Connectivity Committees.

“For the past two decades, Eli has served NBAA's membership with excellence,” says NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. “His expertise, integrity and humility have allowed him to be a respected and effective leader for our industry in the United States and around the world.”

In his new role, D'Leon will be responsible for providing technical assistance to NBAA member companies and promoting the highest standards of aircraft maintenance. He also will coordinate and develop certification policies for NBAA membership to support increased aircraft dispatching and reduced cost of ownership.

D'Leon joins NBAA after 14 years at Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., where he most recently served as field service representative at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. D'Leon served in the US Air Force for four years before joining Gulfstream in 2005. “Stewart delivers the experience, professionalism and integrity needed to ensure a smooth and successful transition as we say farewell to Eli,” continues Bolen. “His deep knowledge of the business aviation industry, combined with his FAA Airframe and Powerplant licence and private pilot rating, provide the expertise and insight our members expect from NBAA.”