OKLAHOMA CITY – At their annual convention and trade show, members of the
National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) recently elected
Victor Bird, director of the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission, as chairman
of the NASAO Board of Directors. He will serve as chairman until October
2010.

Bird is the first Oklahoman to be elected chairman in the 78-year history
of NASAO. He previously served as vice chairman, treasurer and secretary of
the board.

NASAO is comprised of the directors of state aviation agencies in the 50
states, Guam and Puerto Rico. Its purpose is to ensure uniformity of safety
measures, standardize airport regulations and develop a truly national air
transportation system responsive to local, state, and regional needs.

“Aviation, the world’s first Internet, is facing some of the most serious
challenges in its history. Making sure that the U.S. air transportation
system, the best in the world, continues to effectively serve
communities—metropolitan and micropolitan—across our country, replacing an
aging workforce and preserving general aviation are some of the most
daunting challenges we have ever faced,” said Bird. “I am confident that
NASAO will continue its proud tradition of leading the way to make sure
that the public’s interest is served in resolving these challenges. I am
honored and humbled to serve NASAO and its member states as its chair.”

Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry said, “NASAO is very fortunate to have someone
with Vic’s passion and conviction leading its organization. He has done a
tremendous job of promoting aviation in Oklahoma here and around the
country.”

Henry noted several aviation-related bills that he had supported which Bird
spearheaded as director of aeronautics, including the Aerospace Industry
Engineer Workforce Bill that Henry signed into law in 2008. The purpose of
the bill is to address the critical shortage of engineers in the state’s
aerospace industry.

NORDAM Chairman Ken Lackey echoed Henry’s sentiments, saying Bird is a
tremendous asset to the aerospace industry.

“Because of Vic’s efforts in getting the engineer workforce bill passed in
2008, NORDAM and several other Oklahoma aerospace companies have been able
to hire more engineers. Adequate engineering talent is critical to our and
most aerospace companies’ success. Without it, neither growth nor viability
is possible,” Lackey said.

Bill Boettger, president and CEO of Capital Aviation, an aircraft
maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) company based in Bethany, Okla.,
praised Bird for his long-standing commitment to help Oklahoma aviation
companies like his grow.

“When several of us in the MRO sector came to see Vic a few years ago
asking for his help to get rid of the sales tax that we had to charge
customers for MRO work because it put us at a disadvantage when compared to
our competitors in other states, he didn’t hesitate about taking the lead
in getting legislation passed to get rid of the sales tax. That put us on a
level playing field with our competitors in other states and, in some
instances, provided a competitive advantage,” Boettger said.

Several members of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation were congratulatory
after hearing about Bird’s election as NASAO chairman.

“I am pleased to hear that Vic has been elected NASAO’s new chairman. He is
a tireless advocate for Oklahoma aviation, and I have enjoyed working with
him to improve our airports and promote our state's aviation industry. I am
confident he will make at difference as chair of NASAO just as he has done
in Oklahoma. We should be proud to have an Oklahoman lead NASAO,” said Sen.
Jim Inhofe.

“Vic is an excellent advocate for our airports and the aviation industry in
Oklahoma. He and his staff have gone about the not-so-easy task of capital
improvement programming for our state airports both competently and
credibly. I’m sure he will have a positive impact as NASAO chair,” said
Congressman Dan Boren.

"I've had the pleasure of knowing Vic for nearly two decades now and have
worked with him on various aerospace projects over the years while I served
as lieutenant governor and now as a member of Congress. He was instrumental
in the launching of the Oklahoma's Aerospace Summit and Expo and worked
side by side with me," Oklahoma Congresswoman Mary Fallin said. "He is a
tremendous leader and visionary, and will serve NASAO well as chairman."

Earlier this year, Bird received the General Thomas P. Stafford award at
the Oklahoma Aerospace Summit and Expo. The award is named after Oklahoma
native and retired astronaut Gen. Tom Stafford, and is presented to an
individual who has made a significant contribution to the Oklahoma
aerospace industry and symbolizes the pioneering spirit of Gen. Stafford.

Lt. Governor Jari Askins, who presented Bird with the Stafford Award at the
Aerospace Summit, said, "As a close friend, I am so pleased with Vic's
selection as Chairman of NASAO. Throughout his career, Vic has been a
champion for Oklahoma's aviation and aerospace industries. I am certain
that Vic will excel with this opportunity and make Oklahoma proud.”

“Under Vic’s leadership, the Commission’s airport planning and programming,
and development serves as a national model for effectively integrating
state and federal system objectives,” said Ed Agnew, manager of the
Arkansas/Oklahoma Airports Division office of the Federal Aviation
Administration Southwest Region.

Both Mark Kranenburg, director of airports for Oklahoma City, and Jeff
Mulder, director of the Tulsa Airport Authority, agreed with Agnew,
commenting that Bird and his staff had gone about planning and programming
for airport capital improvements in the state’s system in both a
professional and credible manner.

Aeronautics Commission Chairman Kenneth Adams of Bartlesville said the
Commission was very proud of Bird and what he has accomplished during his
seven years as the Commission’s director.

“His service to the State of Oklahoma is exemplary and our state is
fortunate to have him in this national role,” Adams said.

Before his appointment to the Aeronautics Commission, Bird was an attorney
and veteran of state government. He served five years as an attorney with
the Oklahoma State University Board of Regents and spent 12 years in the
Attorney General’s office, ending his tenure as chief deputy of the Civil
Division.

“NASAO members were smart to pick Vic as their new chairman,” said Drew
Edmondson, Oklahoma’s Attorney General and Bird’s former boss when he
previously worked at the AG’s office. “He is very conscientious and will do
a tremendous job as their leader just as he has done for the Aeronautics
Commission and aviation.”

Bird is an active member of the Governor’s Council for Workforce and
Economic Development as well as aviation advisory boards for both the
University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University. He is a member of the
Steering Committee for the Oklahoma Aerospace Summit and Expo and the
Finance Working Group that is helping prepare a development strategy for
Will Rogers World Airport.

Bird earned his juris doctorate and bachelor’s degree from The University
of Tulsa.

Founded in 1931, NASAO is one of the most senior aviation organizations in
the United States, predating even the Federal Aviation Administration’s
predecessor, the Civil Aeronautics Authority.