The Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Dale Forton as President.

The selection of Dale as president comes after two years of reinvigorating the organization’s leadership structure and refocusing on the strategic plan.

Current PAMA Board Chair, Clark Gordon, commented on Dale’s selection as President: “The selection of Dale Forton as President completes the last remaining piece of PAMA’s new leadership structure. At the pentacle of the pyramid he will ensure PAMA continues to grow exponentially.” Gordon further said, “Dale’s knowledge and involvement in the industry and previous leadership experience as a PAMA board director makes him a natural fit to meet PAMA’s strategic plan.”

Dale has been active in the aviation maintenance industry for 32 years and passionately involved in PAMA for over 26 years. Dale has a thorough understanding of the aviation maintenance industry from his roles as an A&P, former Director of Maintenance, and an active PAMA Board member. As a PAMA member Dale has launched a chapter, served as Great Lakes Regional Director and Vice Chairman of the PAMA Board of Directors, and chaired several key committees including the governance and strategic planning committee.

Clark Gordon, PAMA Board Chair, commented on Dale’s qualifications: “Appointing Dale as our new President ensures PAMA’s evolution to effectively represent the Aviation Maintenance Professional. I believe, and the Board of Directors agrees, that Dale possesses the leadership and strategic planning skills needed to guide our organization into the future.”

Dale Forton, PAMA President, also commented on the state of the industry and PAMA’s plan to be an industry leader for the future: “Slowing economic trends indicate there will be a shortage of A&P’s in the near future. We must prepare new and existing members in our industry for this shortage of qualified technicians by growing awareness of the increasing technical expertise needed to maintain aircraft. And with that the industry will need to recognize a cost increase to retain the existing technicians and entice new ones into aircraft maintenance.”

Dale also highlighted some of his goals as President of PAMA: “As President, I plan to first engage members, chapters, and the industry in what PAMA can do for them now and what they would like PAMA to do for them in the future. I am very excited about the direction of career enhancement training which PAMA is offering in webinars as well as the upcoming Great Lakes Airworthiness Symposium.”

Read Dale’s Biography