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GAMA President and CEO Pete Bunce warned about the impact of a federal government shutdown during a 2019 rally on Capitol Hill.
The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) has named a successor to its long-serving president and CEO Pete Bunce, who plans to retire next April after two decades at the helm of the manufacturers’ association.
In a message to the association’s board of directors, GAMA Chairman Chuck Wiplinger announced that James Viola, currently president and CEO of Vertical Aviation International (VAI), will join GAMA on March 17, immediately following the helicopter association’s annual Verticon conference in Dallas.
Both Bunce and Viola are experienced pilots who achieved the rank of colonel in their previous military careers—Bunce in the U.S. Air Force and Viola in the Army.
A prominent figure in the general aviation industry and Washington policymaking circles, Bunce took over as GAMA president and CEO in April 2005, following a 26-year career in the Air Force. During that time, he flew Boeing F-15s and Northrop Grumman A-10s, while commanding several operational fighter units. His last assignment was as director of the Air Force Congressional Budget and Appropriations Liaison office.
Outgoing U.S. Rep. Garret Graves (R-Louisiana), making his final appearance as chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, recognized Bunce for his contributions to the industry during a Dec. 11 hearing.
“I want to thank you for your distinguished service, of course in the U.S. Air Force, where I met you 25 years ago, and for your great stakeholder representation over the years,” Graves told Bunce, who testified at the hearing. “You’ve been a good ally to us in helping us identify issues and solutions.”
Viola has led VAI, formerly Helicopter Association International, since January 2020. Before joining the association, he served as director of General Aviation Safety Assurance in the FAA Office of Aviation Safety.
During his Army career, Viola flew MD Helicopters MH-6 and Boeing MH-47 special operations helicopters. His final assignment was as division chief for Army Aviation Current Operations in the Pentagon.
“We are confident that Jim will very quickly assimilate into GAMA and keep us running on the very strong trajectory we have been on under Pete Bunce’s leadership,” Wiplinger said in his message to the association board.
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