Arlington, Va. — The Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) will welcome a veteran aerospace and defense advocate to its senior team when Peter Prowitt joins as Chief Operating Officer (COO) this July. Prowitt heads to AIA from GE Aviation where he currently serves as the Executive Director of Global Government Relations, leading the Washington, D.C. team and setting the government relations strategy for the company around the world. Prowitt will replace current COO Bob Durbin, who is retiring after six years at AIA.
“Peter is a top-notch talent who not only served with distinction at GE Aviation, but also as a thoughtful and trusted representative to AIA’s Executive Committee,” said AIA President and CEO Eric Fanning. “His deep, substantive understanding of the issues and extensive advocacy experience bring an additional level of expertise to AIA’s already talented team.”
Prowitt’s exemplary background includes service in both the public and private sectors. He began his career on the staff of U.S. Congressman Max Baucus (D-Montana) in 1977. After receiving his MBA in 1981, he worked for Eli Lilly and Company in Chicago. In 1983, Prowitt returned to Senator Baucus’ legislative staff and served as his Chief of Staff until 1987. During the 100th Congress, Prowitt served as Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.
In 1988, he transitioned to the private sector, representing American President Lines, Ltd., on a variety of international trade and domestic issues related to the company’s maritime and domestic container distribution services.
He joined GE in 1995 as Manager of Government Relations, representing the company before Congress and the Administration on issues affecting the company’s businesses. He became the government relations team leader for GE Aviation in 2010.
“I know first-hand the impact the AIA has on public policy and its commitment to serving its members,” said Prowitt. “It is an honor to succeed Bob and join Eric and the AIA team at this critical moment for the U.S. aerospace and defense community. Our advocacy mission has never been more important, and I’m looking forward to working with our companies and staff to build on AIA’s solid foundation.”
Prowitt is a member of the faculty at the Colgate Darden Graduate School of Business, University of Virginia, where he has taught an elective in Business-Government Relations since 1990. He received a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from DePauw University and an MBA from the Colgate Darden Graduate School of Business. He currently serves on the board of the Max S. Baucus Institute of the University of Montana, and the George C. Marshall Foundation. He lives in Arlington, Virginia with his wife Lynn.
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