4 Aviation forWomen;May/June 2015
WAI
NEWS
THe LaTeST
Correction: In the conference program (March/April Aviation for Women), it was noted that Pioneer Hall of Fame
inductee Deanie Parrish flew the B- 29 during her time as a WASP. Deanie actually flew the B- 26 as an
air-to-air tow target pilot to train gunners for combat. We regret the error.
New Board Members Elected at
WAI Annual Membership Meeting
The WAI annual membership meeting was held Thursday, March 4, 2015, providing members an update on association business over the past year. Voting was also
held to elect three new board members and reelect two current board members for
another term.
In her report on the state of the association, WAI President Dr. Peggy Chabrian
shared updates on the organization’s five-year plan. Members were invited to participate in focus groups for different age group
segments represented in the WAI membership
on Friday during the annual conference.
Peggy also reported the 2015 exhibit hall line-up is tied for the record of most exhibitors at the
annual conference—good news for the organization and attendees.
Chapter Relations Manager Audra Hoy reported on the state of WAI’s chapter program,
welcoming a record 12 new chapters in 2014, including four new international chapters. She also shared plans for WAI’s first local Girls in Aviation Day events to be held September 26, 2015. The events will be
held by chapters around the world and vary in activities depending on each chapter’s strength. Specific details will be sent to chapters in the coming months to help
them plan and market their events.
Kelly Nelson, editor-in-chief of Aviation for Women magazine, reported on reader
surveys being done with each issue and how the feedback from those is being used
to improve the magazine and Connect newsletters. New this year, the WAI Connect
e-newsletter is now being sent monthly.
The meeting wrapped up with the confirmation of voting results officially welcoming new board members Abingdon Welch, Marci Veronie, and Deborah Hecker
to the WAI board of directors and reelecting Brian Bolt and Karen Gebhart for another three-year term. ✈
At the meeting,
we shared plans for
WAI’s first local Girls
in Aviation Day
events to be held
September 26, 2015.
A Special Thanks
Thank you to these additional annual fund donors who were not
listed in the March/April issue of
Aviation for Women. Donations to
the annual fund are used exclusively to provide individuals with opportunities in aviation, invigorate
their careers, expand their horizons, and ensure WAI remains a vital, robust, and active organization
now and in the future.
Jerry Chabrian
Louise Dairs
Kristi Delage
Karen Gebhart
Henry Girion
Sara Hall
Becky Howell
Lisa Ouellette
Welcome New Corporate Members
Allegiant Travel Company
Joint Venture Solutions LLC
Southern Company
Newly elected Board Members (left to right)
Abingdon Welch, Marci Veronie, and Deborah Hecker.
J
o
H
n
R
i
ed
e
L
