NBAA applauds appointment of Fraser and Shortt to DOT’s Women in Aviation Board

Washington, DC, 18 May 2020 – The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed the appointments of association Board Director Kate Fraser and NBAA Advisory Council Member Kriya Shortt to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) newly formed Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB).

Appointed to NBAA’s Board of Directors in November 2019, Fraser works as head of safety for urban air mobility developer Joby Aviation. She previously served as head of aviation policy for Uber, and before that with the FAA’s Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention.

Shortt joined Cessna Aircraft Company in 1996, and today serves as Textron Aviation’s senior vice president of parts & programs, overseeing the company’s global parts and distribution network. She is also the president of McCauley Propeller Systems, and component repair business Able Aerospace.

“I am pleased that Kate and Kriya have been selected to join this important new advisory group aimed at furthering career opportunities for women across the aviation industry, including business aviation,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “Our association has benefited greatly from their expertise and insights, and I know they both will bring their skills and professionalism to this important new endeavour.”

Established last October under the FAA Reauthorisation Act of 2018, the WIAAB recommends strategies to encourage women to pursue aviation careers. The board also identifies opportunities for education, training, mentorship, outreach and recruitment of women in the aviation industry.

Former U.S. Air Force Secretary Dr. Heather Wilson will chair the WIAAB. Approximately 200 applications were submitted for consideration to fill the 30-seat board, according to the DOT announcement.

Fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion is an important area of concern throughout the business aviation industry, and is included among NBAA’s strategic priorities.