The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) board of directors has welcomed James Viola to lead the association as the next president and CEO, starting in the Spring of 2025 Current president and CEO Pete Bunce is set to retire after 20 years at the helm.

“James Viola has an incredible passion for general aviation and will do a remarkable job representing the interests of GAMA member companies and leading the tremendous GAMA staff. His military, flying and regulatory experience, along with his proven leadership of a renowned international aviation association, will make him an extremely effective advocate for the economic and societal contributions of the global general aviation industry,” says Chuck Wiplinger, GAMA chair and president and CEO of Wipaire.

“GAMA has an outstanding reputation as a leader across the international aerospace ecosystem and I am honoured and excited to work with its members and team to further advance the critical interests and contributions of the aviation industry. I look forward to championing general aviation’s significant work to provide growth and opportunity for individuals and businesses, enable innovative and technological advancements for safety and efficiency, and support the economic development and welfare of communities across the globe,” adds Viola.

Viola comes to GAMA from Vertical Aviation International (VAI), where he serves as president and CEO. Since 2020, Viola has led VAI in representing and supporting the interests of the global helicopter industry and other vertical aviation stakeholders. Additionally, Viola spearheaded the association’s rebranding from Helicopter Association International (HAI) to VAI, which widened the association’s focus to encompass the rapid expansion and technological evolution occurring in vertical aviation. Other highlights of his tenure saw the expansion of the VAI government affairs and regulatory staff, as well as a focus on expanding benefits for and delivering value to the VAI membership, which includes vertical aviation manufacturers and suppliers, operators, pilots, maintenance technicians and other industry professionals.

Viola will assume his new role on March 16, the week after Verticon 2025, VAI’s conference and trade show, takes place in Dallas, Texas.

“Throughout my career, I have always looked for the place where I can make the most impact. With all the dynamic changes occurring in aviation, I believe that place is now GAMA,” says Viola. “However, I will be working for some of the same member companies and on some of the same priorities as I did at VAI. Rest assured, I will never stop advocating for the vertical aviation industry and promoting the value it brings to our communities.”

“James's contributions to VAI and its members are well understood,” says Mark Schlaefli, of Dakota Rotors and chair of the VAI board of directors. “His deep experience in leadership, safety efforts and the regulatory environment contributed to VAI’s record of delivering solid results for our members. We already have a close, collaborative relationship with GAMA, and with James at the helm, we expect that relationship to become even more effective.”

The VAI board of directors has initiated a search process for the VAI president and CEO position and will share more information at a later date.

Prior to VAI, Viola spent over a decade at the FAA. His last role at the agency was director of general aviation safety assurance, where he was responsible for maintaining consistency and standardisation in the application of safety oversight activities for the general aviation community. Additionally, he spent over two decades as a US Army aviator, achieving the rank of Colonel. In addition to his more than 35 years of aviation experience, Viola holds several Master’s degrees, including one in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania and one in International Relations from Auburn University in Montgomery, Alabama. Viola is an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) for helicopters and airplanes and has accumulated more than 7,000 flight hours, including 1,100 with night-vision goggles.

“James will be a bold leader for GAMA. His industry experience and knowledge, combined with his excitement for the future of general aviation, make him a great proponent to champion the critical work and priorities of GAMA, its members and the aviation manufacturing industry,” says Henry Brooks, GAMA vice chair and president of power and controls at Collins Aerospace.

“GAMA has been fortunate to have Pete Bunce leading GAMA for the past 20 years, and we are confident that James will carry on and strengthen that foundation and work. On behalf of the entire GAMA membership, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Pete who has done a tremendous job over the last 20 years growing GAMA’s membership, broadening its policy and regulatory reach, honouring our nation’s veterans and being a staunch advocate for the industry,” notes Eric Hinson, GAMA immediate past chair and president and CEO of Simcom International.

Bunce joined GAMA in 2005. Under his tenure, he led the organisation through the 2008 economic crisis, numerous FAA reauthorisations, the pandemic and its aftermath, and numerous legislative and regulatory milestones. Bunce worked to expand GAMA by opening a GAMA European headquarters and growing the GAMA membership with the inclusion of rotorcraft manufacturers and the emerging advanced air mobility sector. He also has a deep commitment to expanding the aviation workforce best exemplified by the GAMA Aviation Design Challenge, which encourages, inspires and attracts future generations to the general aviation industry. He has been a strong and respected leader in aviation in the halls of the US Congress and with the FAA and EASA. He has also been an advocate for aviation at the grassroots level, supporting groups like the Recreational Aviation Foundation and Veterans Airlift Command, and engaging in key policy issues like the transition to an unleaded aviation fuel for piston-engine aircraft.

“It has been a true honour and joy to lead such a phenomenal team of experts that delivers results for its members and the entire civil aviation industry. Over the past two decades, I could not have asked to work for, and with, a more supportive board of directors and fellow GA association head colleagues. My wife Patty and I will always cherish our time at GAMA and the close friendships we’ve been blessed to forge with so many leaders in the entire GA community. Jim has been one of those good friends who I have had the privilege to work with and build a close professional bond. I look forward to watching him take GAMA to new heights as our industry journeys into the most exciting time in aerospace since the dawn of the jet age,” says Bunce.

The NBAA also welcomes Viola. “GAMA has chosen a proven leader and strong general aviation advocate in the selection of Jim Viola,” says president and CEO Ed Bolen. “We have an outstanding relationship with Jim and look forward to working with him in his new capacity.” And of Bunce he adds: “Pete is a remarkable leader, respected, strong and effective. It has been a joy to work closely with him over the course of the past two decades. We wish Pete well as he sets a course for the next horizon.”

Finally NATA adds its congratulations: “An industry legend like Pete Bunce is a very hard act to follow, but Jim is capable and up to the task. Jim’s aviation and agency experience, combined with his passion for safety and focus on moving the industry forward, are crucial to continuing the organisational growth, sustainability advancements and aviation innovation shepherded by Pete for the past few decades at the helm of GAMA,” says president and CEO Curt Castagna. “NATA looks forward to continuing our partnership for business aviation progress with Jim under his new leadership role at GAMA, and we join our industry colleagues in saluting general aviation’s stalwart champion, Pete Bunce.”

Bunce will stay on to assist with the transition and shift to a special advisor until his official retirement date in April 2025.