People in Aviation: December 2008
James Ballough, the FAA’s long-time director of the Flight Standards Service, has announced that he will retire at the end of the year.

James Ballough, the FAA’s long-time director of the Flight Standards Service, has announced that he will retire at the end of the year. Deputy director John Allen will succeed him. Also retiring effective January 3 is Ruth Leverenz, who most recently has served as acting deputy administrator of the agency. No replacement has yet been named for Leverenz.

The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) board of directors has elected its new leadership. Mark Van Tine, Jeppesen’s president and CEO, was selected as chairman, while Honeywell president of business and general aviation Robert Wilson was tapped as vice chair, in addition to continuing as chair of the technical policy committee. Jim Ziegler, Jet Aviation’s CEO, was chosen as chairman of the organization’s international affairs committee.