LAMA Announces Leadership Change

The Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association (LAMA), based in Pleasanton, Calif., yesterday announced the appointment of new leadership. Larry Burke, who founded the group in 1984 and has served as its president since, has appointed Dan Johnson as chairman and Tom Gunnarson as president. Burke said he is ready to step back and let fresh energy into the organization to take LAMA to “a new level of supporting and serving the needs of the light-sport aircraft community.” Burke said Johnson will provide overall guidance to LAMA’s efforts, while Gunnarson will handle day-to-day activities, manage the budget and provide representation in Washington, D.C. LAMA’s membership includes more than 70 kit-built and light-sport aircraft (LSA) manufacturers. Johnson is a journalist who has flown and written flight reports on more than 300 ultralights and light-sport aircraft and is a marketing consultant to EAA in its sport pilot initiative. He also operates the Light-Sport Aircraft Marketing Group, a LAMA affiliate, providing industry-wide marketing assistance to LAMA members. Gunnarson chaired the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee that reviewed ultralight and light aircraft regulations. He had a 14-year tenure as a staff member of the United States Ultralight Association, served as the U.S. representative to the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, and currently is a consultant assisting companies importing LSA into the United States.