His influence reached broadly on the national stage as he represented the industry in roles on the FAA’s Management Advisory Council, Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics, and the U.S. Commission on the Future of the U.S. Aerospace Industry. It also extended beyond borders as he forged relationships with the business aviation communities in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere.

“Whether advocating for a safer and more efficient aviation system, protecting access to our nation’s airports and airspace, supporting workforce development, or championing air traffic control modernization, Ed has met every challenge with determination, thoughtful leadership and unwavering commitment to the community he represents,” Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kansas) said November 9 in a statement on the U.S. Senate floor. “In true Kansas fashion, Ed has always focused on people, on relationships, on bringing others together to accomplish positive outcomes.” 

Bolen became interested in aviation through his father, who served on the board of Salina Regional Airport. He received his Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Kansas, where he captained the varsity tennis team. After graduating from Tulane University School of Law and earning a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University Law Center, his Washington career began in the U.S. Congress.

He served as an aide on what is now called the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and as legislative director for the late Sen. Nancy Kassebaum (R-Kansas). In that role, he became deeply involved in general aviation industry issues, serving as a key player in the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) of 1994.

Bolen viewed GARA as one of the seminal moments in his career, telling AIN at one time, “It was a huge moment in my life.” He noted he kept two things close to him in his office. One was a painting commissioned by the wife of his predecessor at GAMA, the late Ed Stimpson. “The other is a framed copy of the bill and one of the pens that Bill Clinton used to sign the legislation,” Bolen admitted.

He stepped into the leadership role at GAMA in 1996 before moving over to NBAA eight years later. There he steered the association as the business aviation industry was still recovering from the aftereffects of the 9/11 terrorist attacks and then the Great Recession of 2008, when business aviation had become a public punching bag.

Reaching across the aisles on Capitol Hill, and in concert with fellow industry leaders such as former GAMA president and CEO Pete Bunce, he worked to educate both national and local government leaders on the importance of the industry, both as an economic driver and as a vital link throughout the nation.

Working with the other business and general aviation associations, as well as his team at NBAA, he combated multiple attempts at ATC user fees and privatization, as well as airport and airspace restrictions. Because he took on an airline community that wanted to raise charges against business aviation, people would joke that it was no coincidence that he would have delays on his flights. In fact, it is rumored that his staff would avoid scheduling themselves on the same flights as him during that period.

While known as a fierce industry advocate, Bolen was also known for his deep friendships and thoughtful ways to many in the industry. Dan Hubbard, who was named acting CEO after Bolen officially retired last week, wrote in a LinkedIn post in recent days that, when he joined NBAA, “One of the first things Ed taught me was that business aviation is a special industry for many reasons, including that the people you meet become your friends, and before long, they’re like an extended family. I've seen that play out more times than I can count, and nobody has lived it more than Ed.”

Those friendships were on full display throughout the halls of NBAA-BACE this year as thousands of attendees wore sunflower pins in his honor, recognizing his deep Kansas roots. Bolen died the day after he was enshrined in the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame. His nephew, Patrick, was present at the ceremony on November 10 to accept the honor on his behalf, thanking the many who had reached out over the past two months when word of his cancer became known.

The honor was one of the recognitions he received over the years, also including the induction as a Living Legend into the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame.

More numerous, however, were the plaudits that flowed in after his retirement was announced. “For as long as I’ve been in Congress, Ed Bolen has been a champion of America’s aviation system and a staunch supporter of its vital general aviation community,” said House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Missouri).

While building support for the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Graves added, “We relied on many voices throughout aviation to make it as strong as possible, and few voices were as instrumental in our coalition as Ed Bolen’s. I want to thank Ed for his decades of tireless and expert work on behalf of American aviation, for his always thoughtful advice on aviation issues, and for his friendship.”

Calling Bolen “a champion and stalwart for the general and business aviation industry,” current GAMA president and CEO James Viola added: “His dedication to the welfare and growth of the industry is truly remarkable. GAMA is forever grateful for Ed’s leadership at both NBAA and GAMA; he always stressed the importance of working together for the betterment of the industry.”

National Air Transportation Association president and CEO Curt Castagna echoed those sentiments: “Ed’s extraordinary ability to bring people together, build consensus, and translate shared priorities into meaningful progress is a hallmark of his leadership.”

“General aviation is stronger today because of him,” said Katie Pribyl, acting co-president of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. “He spent his whole career looking out for pilots…Through all of it, Ed has been a true friend to AOPA. We’ve stood together against user fees and ATC privatization, and we’ve worked side by side to protect airports. General aviation has had no better friend than Ed Bolen.”

“The aviation community cannot thank Ed Bolen enough for his service and leadership,” Elizabeth Dornak, NBAA’s board of directors chair emeritus, said when his resignation was announced on November 6. “His service to aviation is unmatched over a sterling career, and so many of us are fortunate to count him as a partner and a friend.”

“It’s hard to express how much we miss Ed, and what he meant to so many of us,” said John Witzig, chair of NBAA’s board of directors. “What we do know is that we can all take inspiration from Ed’s legacy of service, dedication and leadership.”

“We are filled with incredible sadness about Ed,” said Hubbard. “Ed was not just our colleague—he was a friend and a mentor to many of us. He accomplished so much, and did so with grace and humility. On behalf of the entire NBAA team, we send our condolences and prayers to Beth, Jack, Robert and all of Ed’s family, in this incredibly difficult time.”