NARA Tribute to Ed Stimpson

NARA members pay tribute to our colleague and friend, Ed Stimpson, who passed away on Wednesday, November 25 of lung cancer.  He was 75 years old and is survived by his wife, Dottie.

Many of us are aware of the significant and far-reaching changes Ed pioneered for general aviation over his life-long career in Washington on Capitol Hill, at the helm of the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), as the U.S. Ambassador to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal, and in his last position as chairman at the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF).  In 1991, when NARA first opened its doors to represent brokers, dealers and service providers in the pre-owned aircraft market, I introduced myself to Ed over lunch one day when he was still at GAMA.  He was most welcoming and supportive of our new association when he could have easily justified a competitive position against the used market, touting GAMA’s new jets.  A true visionary and gentleman, he knew the importance of adding yet one more voice to the general aviation story and championed our cause from the very beginning.  After lunch, I thanked him for his time, and closed with, “Remember, Ed, new once, used forever.”  He laughed, and I’ll never forget how fortunate I felt that NARA had a friend in him.  Throughout the next 20 years, he remained a loyal advocate of both new and used aircraft markets.  From all of us to you, thanks Ed.