The American Helicopter Services & Aerial Firefighting Association (AHSAFA) has selected George C. Hill as its new Executive Director. Mr. Hill will assume the position on June 1, replacing Tom Eversole who has been the director since he started the association in 1998.

“George Hill is uniquely qualified to build upon AHSAFA’s reputation as an effective representative of the aerial firefighting industry before Congress, the US Forest Service, and other government entities which contract with our members, or through legislative or regulatory actions that could impact their operations,” said Eversole. “His background in naval aviation and the defense industry brings the association fresh ideas and the leadership it will require as the aerial firefighting industry’s advocate in today’s highly partisan political climate.”

Mr. Hill retired from the US Navy as a Captain, after 35 years of service. A graduate of the University of Kansas with a degree in Aerospace Engineering his Navy service was focused exclusively on aviation. At the time of his retirement in 2003, he held the position of Program Manager for all maritime surveillance aircraft (PMA-290).

Mr. Hill then joined L-3 Communications as Vice President of Business Development for the Communications Systems Group, headquartered in Salt Lake City.

Retiring from L-3 Communications in 2013, Mr. Hill founded Purple Sage Consulting which provides strategy formulation and business development consulting services in the aerospace defense sector.

“I am honored to have been selected as Executive Director of AHSAFA. This position offers me the opportunity to utilize several aspects of my experience and background in the areas of engineering, program management, and government contracting,” Mr. Hill said. “As Executive Director, my primary goal is to provide the association’s members with open communication, coordination on issues, and support, in order to provide the best aerial firefighting capability in an efficient and cost effective manner.”

AHSAFA is the Washington-based trade association founded in 1998 to represent private operators engaged in aerial firefighting before Congress, the US Forest Service and other regulatory agencies with authority over wildland fire protection policies.