Mark Baker Announces Retirement From AOPA to Staff

Mark Baker joined AOPA in 2013 as its fifth president. [Courtesy of AOPA]

Mark Baker, head of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association for more than 10 years, has announced to the AOPA team his plans to retire.

The news came Tuesday in an informal meeting with staff. There is no official announcement—and Baker’s retirement won’t take effect right away.

According to the confirmation from AOPA, it’s the start of a natural succession plan. At this point, Baker is committed to staying at his post and working with the AOPA board of directors to find the “best possible person to take over.”

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Baker came to AOPA in 2013 as its fifth president and assumed the dual title of CEO. After earning his private pilot certificate in his 20s, he has owned and flown many aircraft and logged more than 10,000 hours of flight time. Prior to AOPA, he served as the CEO of Orchard Supply Hardware Corp., and as an executive at Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., Gander Mountain Co., and The Home Depot Inc.

Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association AOPA CEO Mark Baker president

Julie BoatmanEditor

Based in Maryland, Julie is an editor, aviation educator, and author. She holds an airline transport pilot certificate with Douglas DC-3 and CE510 (Citation Mustang) type ratings. She's a CFI/CFII since 1993, specializing in advanced aircraft and flight instructor development. Follow Julie on Twitter @julieinthesky.