Roger Cohen Joins SmithBucklin as President of the Regional Airline Association
CHICAGO - Dec. 18, 2006 – SmithBucklin, the world's largest association management company, announced today that Roger Cohen has joined the company as a Director serving as President of the Regional Airline Association (RAA), starting Dec. 18. In his new role, Cohen will work out of SmithBucklin's Washington, D.C., office to manage all aspects of RAA's operations, lead the SmithBucklin team and assume responsibility for meeting the strategic goals set by RAA's leadership.
Cohen's primary objective is to ensure the continuation of the growth and success that SmithBucklin has helped RAA achieve over the 28 years SmithBucklin has represented the association. Founded in 1975, RAA represents U.S. regional airlines, and the manufacturers of products and services that support the industry, before Congress, the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration and other federal agencies. RAA also provides a wide array of technical and promotional services to regional airlines. The association's member airlines transport 97 percent of total regional airline industry passengers.
Cohen brings to SmithBucklin and RAA extensive experience as a trusted and committed advocate who has personally represented organizations and businesses in 35 state capitols, dozens of city halls and at numerous Federal agencies and in Congress.
"We are thrilled to welcome Roger aboard in his new role as president of RAA," said SmithBucklin President and COO Julie Silverstein. "Roger brings a wealth of diverse and high-level experience in both the airline industry and association management, which makes him an outstanding fit for RAA."
Paul Foley, chairman of the RAA board of directors and president and CEO of MAIR Holdings Inc., said, "We couldn't be more enthusiastic to have someone with Roger's background and experience taking the helm of our association at a time when the regional carriers continue to grow their share of the airline industry market. Roger is the right person to meet the demands of our industry and to be a proactive force on issues that are important to us in the legislative and regulatory arenas."
Prior to joining SmithBucklin, Cohen created and implemented the first-ever government affairs program for Teletrack, a subsidiary of the First Advantage Corporation, a leading risk mitigation and business solutions provider. He served as the company's "in house" government affairs specialist, advising senior management and representing Teletrack before Congress, state and local governments, public interest groups and consumer organizations.
Cohen is a past vice president, regional affairs, for the Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association and spent more than 15 years with the Air Transport Association (ATA), where he served as managing director/staff vice president, state and local government affairs.
Prior to his time at the ATA, Cohen was president of Pro Advocates Inc., a Southern California-based public affairs consulting firm that conducted corporate communications, government affairs and association management for clients including TWA, Avis, First Gray Line and Hakuhodo International. He also worked for 10 years at Trans World Airlines, where he held the titles of regional director, civic affairs, and regional manager, corporate communications.
Cohen holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill., where he was a McCormick Scholar recipient in urban affairs studies at the Medill School of Journalism.
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About SmithBucklin
SmithBucklin is the world's largest association management and professional services company providing flexible, tailored full-service management and function/project-specific services to more than 235 trade associations, professional societies, technology user groups, government institutes/agencies and corporations. SmithBucklin's mission is to drive growth and build sustained competitiveness for client organizations. Founded in 1949, the company employs 750 professionals specializing in all phases of association activity including executive management, member and chapter administration, convention and trade show management, marketing and branding, Web services, education and programs, government relations and financial management. SmithBucklin manages more than $200 million in annual client budgets from offices in Chicago, Washington, DC, St. Louis and Durham, NC. SmithBucklin is 100% employee owned. For more information, please visit www.smithbucklin.com or call 1.800.539.9740.
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