Peter ProwittChief Operating Officer, Aerospace Industries Association

Peter Prowitt is Chief Operating Officer of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). AIA, founded in 1919 shortly after the birth of flight, is the most authoritative and influential trade association representing the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aircraft systems, space systems, aircraft engines, homeland and cybersecurity systems, materiel and related components, equipment services and information technology.

Prowitt joined AIA from GE Aviation, where he served as Executive Director of Global Government Relations since May 2011. In that role, he was responsible for leading the Aviation government affairs team and setting the government relations strategy around the world. GE Aviation is a provider of commercial, military and business and general aviation jet and turboprop engines and components as well as avionics, electrical power and mechanical systems for aircraft.

Prowitt began his career on the staff of US Congressman Max Baucus in 1977. After completing his MBA, he worked for Eli Lilly and Company in Chicago. Prowitt returned to Senator Baucus’ legislative staff and served as his Chief of Staff. He also served as staff director of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

Following his service in the Senate, Prowitt represented 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 later became the government relations team leader for GE Aviation’s Washington DC Operations in 2010.

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, University of Virginia. He served as a member of the National Defense Industrial Association Executive Committee and the Collier Trophy Selection Committee of the U.S. National Aeronautic Association. Prowitt currently serves on the board of the Max S. Baucus Institute of the University of Montana, and the George C. Marshall Foundation.