WAI Elects New Board Members - HAI's Karen Gebhart New Chair
March 22, 2016 - Karen Gebhart, Vice President of Business Development for the Helicopter Association International, was elected for a two-year term as the chair of Women in Aviation International’s (WAI) board of directors at the 2016 International Women in Aviation Conference. She is a private pilot and industry veteran who previously worked for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.
“We are committed to promoting all segments of the aviation community to our members,” said WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian. “In addition to Karen’s extensive leadership talent, we look forward to her bringing greater visibility to career opportunities in the helicopter industry.”
Two new board members were voted in by WAI members at the organization’s annual membership meeting held March 10, 2016. The two newly-elected board members are:
Linda A. Markham is president and chief administrative officer of Cape Air and Nantucket Airlines. Previously, Linda was executive vice president/chief administrative officer; vice president of human resources; and manager of human resources. Currently Cape Air employs 1,200 people and services 44 cities in six regions around the world. She is a graduate of Holyoke Community College with a degree in business and retail management.
Lauren McFarland is director of advertising for the Aircraft Electronics Association (AEA) and responsible for advertising sales for Avionics News, the association’s monthly magazine as well as AEA’s Pilot’s Guide to Avionics. Lauren also manages AEA’s Ambassador Program which encourages stronger professional relationships between AEA’s repair station members and FAA Flight Standards District Offices. Lauren has a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from the University of Missouri.
"We welcome our new board members who join an incredible group of talented industry professionals who help guide and shape Women in Aviation International,” adds Dr. Chabrian. “Our members are in good hands with this board.”
Women in Aviation International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to providing networking, mentoring and scholarship opportunities for women and men who are striving for challenging and fulfilling careers in the aviation and aerospace industries. For more information about WAI, please contact WAI at (937) 839-4647 or online at wai.org.
