Adam Smith, Other VPs Let Go, CAPCOM Killed, Other Programs Reportedly On Chopping Block

ANN Real-Time Update, 101813, 0530 ET: I don't think Katie Pribyl sleeps... we received the following update/clarification at 0328 ET-- "For further clarification, just two of the layoffs came from government affairs, three from the Center to Advance the Pilot Community and ones and twos from other various departments."

Original Story, Filed 101713, 2044 ET: On the heels of what many called a truly lackluster final AOPA Summit, the axe has fallen at 421 Aviation Way... and the result is that at least a dozen AOPA staffers, many high-ranking VPs and what were thought to be critical personnel have been shown the door.

With little or no warning, Mark Baker's new AOPA has decided to clean house -- with a bulldozer... and in the process, some very experienced and highly regarded staffers are looking for work. Chief among those whose termination shocked us, here at ANN, was Adam Smith -- one of the most uncommonly principled guys in the biz and the leader for much of the more positive agenda programs (one that we actually liked) that managed to come out of the Fuller-version of AOPA.

We're waiting for the AOPA spin on this, but a number of local sources (at KFDK) have confirmed, that along with some heretofore pivotal players, are a number of highly publicized programs and divisions at AOPA -- most critically, AOPA's Center to Advance the Pilot Community (CAPCOM), and rumors that some of their more controversial decisions may be reversed... including a possible death sentence for AOPA's poorly-received FlyQ flight planning program, as well as a few other projects that have not been pulling their weight.

Inside sources indicate that Baker was told to cut the fat by the Board of Trustees, and as an experienced CEO who has had to take on such unsavory tasks in the past, he wasted little time. There are a number of other rumors swirling about and until we can confirm (to our satisfaction), we'll hold a bit, but its clear that the AOPA that Fuller built is being dismantled rapidly and aggressively. How this ultimately turns out is, as yet, anyone's guess... but we'll keep you updated as soon as we have more, verifiable, info to report.

AOPA Weighs In

Shortly before midnight, the tireless Katie Pribyl (pictured) responded to an email and call we had placed with her a few hours earlier. The following missive comprises the full text of her remarks...

"Today, AOPA announced several organizational changes that will help us achieve an important goal: Reposition AOPA for growth that is consistent with our brand, and in the process set the stage for success in 2014 and begin preparing AOPA for the next 75 years.

We are focusing on creating member value in everything that we do. The changes announced today will also ensure that AOPA has a sustainable business model that brings expenses in line with revenue.

These changes are in line with our recent announcement to cancel AOPA Aviation Summit for the foreseeable future and instead, focus on grassroots events and reaching out to our members in real and tangible ways.

This was the first step to ensuring that AOPA will be really listening to our members and using their feedback to align our resources to accomplish member’s needs. The regional fly-ins, the Frederick fly-in and our participation in more grassroots events will draw attention to AOPA’s mission, renew our member’s passion, celebrate our past successes, and frame a new emphasis for the future.

In consideration of the affected individual's privacy, I will not provide names and titles, but I will tell you that 12 employees were released (not a blood bath). The staffing reduction decisions were made for one of two reasons: redundancy in the position or department restructuring.

Areas where we made changes include government affairs, which is being restructured to more
closely align and integrate AOPA’s legislative activities with its work in the regulatory arena. We will better integrate our regulatory and legislative efforts and deploy our resources in a more flexible manner. This will give our lead subject matter experts the best opportunity to present AOPA’s position to key decision makers.

We also had changes in the area of AOPA’s efforts to grow the pilot community. This continues to be a major priority; however, we will focus more on collaborating with other associations and industry advocates in order to achieve greater results and effect change in more meaningful ways. For example, AOPA aims to work much closer with EAA on youth programs.

AOPA will continue to lead efforts to promote and grow flying clubs. We will also continue to support flight training initiatives and bring lapsed pilots back to active flying status.

AOPA feels we can be most effective in the area of growing the pilot population with a budget and infrastructure that maximizes development of very focused and tangible resources that assist clubs and flight training providers. AOPA still has staff members dedicated to flying clubs, flight training and lapsed pilot initiatives.

The other reductions occurred in areas where one or two employees were affected."

FMI: www.aopa.org