The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Board of Directors has tapped James Viola as the association’s new president and CEO.
Viola will join GAMA in the spring of 2025 when current president and CEO, Pete Bunce, retires after 20 years at the association’s 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,” said Chuck Wiplinger, GAMA Chair and President and CEO of Wipaire.
Viola comes to GAMA from Vertical Aviation International (VAI), where he has been president and CEO since 2020.
Viola has led VAI in representing and supporting the interests of the global helicopter industry and others in the vertical aviation community. 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, according to association officials.
Prior to joining 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 standardization in the application of safety oversight activities for the general aviation community.
Additionally, Viola spent over two decades as a U.S. 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 U.S. 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.
“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, honoring our nation’s veterans and being a staunch advocate for the industry,” said Eric Hinson, GAMA Immediate Past Chair and President and CEO of Simcom International.
Bunce joined GAMA in 2005. Under his tenure, he led the organization through the 2008 economic crisis, numerous FAA reauthorizations, 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, GAMA officials noted.
He has been a leader in aviation in the halls of the U.S. Congress and with the FAA and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), officials continued. He has also been an advocate for aviation at the grassroots level, supporting groups like the Recreational Aviation Foundation (RAF) and Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) and engaging in policy issues like the transition to an unleaded aviation fuel for piston-engine aircraft.
“It has been a true honor and joy to lead such a phenomenal team of experts that delivers results for its members and the entire civil aviation industry,” Bunce said. “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 Jim take GAMA to new heights as our industry journeys into the most exciting time in aerospace since the dawn of the jet age.”
Viola will officially start at GAMA in mid-March 2025, a week after VERTICON 2025, VAI’s annual conference and trade show in Dallas. Bunce will stay on to assist with the transition and shift to a special advisor until his official retirement date in April 2025.
Meanwhile, the board of directors of Vertical Aviation International have initiated a search for Viola’s replacement.
For more information: GAMA.org, VerticalAvi.org
