Milestones

August 19, 1972 - First Annual Convention in Pittsburgh, PA, where the Professional Aviation Maintenance Association (PAMA) was established. William Collister elected first PAMA President.

1979 - Company Members admitted, grow to 80 in a year.

1981 - At Ft. Lauderdale, FL, the first PAMA Trade Show has 30 booths.

1982 - A series of technical seminars is introduced at the Pittsburgh, PA, convention.

1984 - IA renewals are incorporated into convention program. PAMA Scholarship Fund is established. National headquarters is established in St. Louis, MO, with one employee.

1985 - Convention now known as the PAMA National Aviation Maintenance Symposium and Trade Show. Headquarters staff doubles to two employees.

1987 - Symposium draws 2,300 attendees and 130 exhibitors. Membership is 2,000, including 250 company members. There are 17 PAMA Chapters. PAMA News becomes monthly national publication.

1989 - With 2,700 members and 25 chapters, PAMA establishes a new educational members category. Headquarters has 4 full-time employees.

1990 - Houston Convention draws 2,000 people to 50 technical seminars and 202 exhibits. PAMA has 32 chapters, a new scholarship program, 5 full-time employees and membership totaling 2,000.

1992 - Nashville symposium draws 2,200 people, 230 exhibitors. PAMA membership totals 3,300.

1995 - Executive Director's office relocates to Washington, DC.

1996 - Headquarters staff in Washington numbers four. Issues and Technical Committee is established.

1997 - FAA grants authority to PAMA for IA renewal seminar approval. Five headquarters staff. PAMA inaugurates full internet site: www.PAMA.org.

1998 - First joint trade show with NATA -- The Aviation Services & Suppliers SuperShow (AS3) -- in Kansas City, MO. Show draws 4,088 to 122 hours of training (118 hours of IA renewal). Staff grows to six. Continuing Education Scholarship Program is inaugurated and the Professional Aviation Maintenance Foundation (PAMF) is established to administer scholarships and other programs.

1999 - Phoenix Symposium features first "Call for Papers." Second Annual AS3 draws record 400+ exhibitors.

2005 - PAMA Affiliates with SAE International.

2009 - PAMA ends its affiliation with SAE International and moves its headquarters to Alexandria, Virginia.

2011 - PAMA moves its headquarters to Ionia, Michigan.

Past Chairmen

1972 - 1974 William Collister
1974 - 1976 William Collister
1976 - 1978 Charles Darby
1978 - 1980 James Saffley
1980 - 1982 James Saffley
1982 - 1984 Arthur “Butch” Giessman
1984 - 1986 Karl Florian
1986 - 1988 William Johnston
1988 - 1990 William Johnston
1990 - 1992 James Rardon
1992 - 1994 James Rardon
1994 - 1996 Douglas Bowen, Enron Corp.
1996 - 1998 Karl Florian, Jet Support Services, Inc.
1998 - 2000 Richard C. Wellman, Pratt & Whitney
2000 - 2002 Richard C. Wellman, Pratt & Whitney
2002 - 2004 David Orcutt, Bombardier
2004 - 2006 David Orcutt, Bombardier
2006 - 2008 Clark Gordon
2009 - 2010 Clark Gordon
2011 - Present Roger Sickler