AOPA president to step down after search for successor

After a decade of leadership, President of the AOPA Mark Baker has announced he is transitioning out of the role and helping the board of trustees search for his successor. Baker joined the AOPA in 2013 and has served as the organization's fifth president. He is committed to staying on board as part of a natural leadership transition process to find the best person to lead the AOPA in the future. Baker told staff in a meeting on Tuesday. He will stay in his role until both he and the board are satisfied they have found the best person to replace him and serve as the AOPA's sixth president. "During this process, it's business as usual," Baker said.RELATED STORY:AOPA President tests unleaded fuel in Beechcraft Baron demo flight With 40 years flying and more than 10,000 hours, Baker brought his aviation experience to the role in his 10 years as president. He is a commercial pilot with single and multiengine land and seaplane ratings, rotorcraft rating and type ratings in the Cessna Citation 500 and 525s, as well as the DC-3. As a child Baker rode his bike to the airport to watch the planes takeoff and land, sometimes catching a ride with local pilots. In high school he passed a ground school class, then upon learning he could receive credit, he took it again while attending the University of Minnesota. Baker bought his first plane while he was still in college, selling his van to buy a 1968 Cessna 150. He took a few years off of flying when the demands of work, family and finances made it hard to continue, but his love for aviation never wavered. When he was able to fly again, Baker worked his way through many planes, including a Cessna 177 Cardinal, many V-tail Bonanzas and Barons, a 36 Model Bonanza and others used for commuting, business and pleasure. He has hours in many aircraft, from business jets to helicopters, and even historic aircraft like Ford TriMotors. Baker said his favorite is the Piper Super Cub he has owned for over 25 years and can be equipped with floats or skis depending on the weather. Baker is a longtime general aviation pilot and took his passion for aviation to his role as the fifth president of the AOPA in its 75-year history. Before his presidential role, Baker held multiple senior executive roles, including COO at Scotts Miracle-Gro Company, president and CEO of Gander Mountain Company and CEO of Orchard Supply Hardware Stores Corp. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and has served on numerous corporate boards and held leadership roles with nonprofits like City of Hope. He brought his business acumen to the AOPA to build its value for members and emphasized aligning association resources with member priorities. As well as serving as president, Baker is the chairman of the AOPA's Political Action Committee, CEO of the AOPA Foundation, president of the International Council of Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, representing pilots in 72 countries, and the publisher of AOPA Pilot. Baker took the left seat at the AOPA on Sept. 6, 2013 after a formal appointment by the Board of Trustees. He will stay on at the helm until a suitable replacement is found. "It's hard to believe that more than a decade has passed since I joined AOPA," Baker said. "Now the time has come for me to plan the next chapter—for AOPA and for myself."