Saying Goodbye to One of Aviation’s Greatest Advocates
My friend and former boss, Ed Bolen, has died. Paying proper tribute to a dear friend whose career set a new standard for public policy advocacy is no easy task.
Those who knew him have shared heartfelt memories, and his aviation legacy, already honored in numerous Halls of Fame, could fill an encyclopedia. While the celebrations of his life will rightly focus on those achievements, I want to remember what made him such an exceptional leader.
Ed’s wife, Beth, and his sons, Jack and Robert, meant the world to him. Their photos surrounded his desk, and he made calling home a priority on every business trip, reflecting the joy his family brought him. Pictures of family events, graduations, Kansas City Chiefs and Jayhawks games, lacrosse wins, and other milestones captured his big smiles, post-win celebrations, and family hugs.
Among Ed’s many talents was his care for NBAA’s technical staff. These outstanding aviation professionals consistently earned high marks from members for their knowledge and responsiveness. Many joined the association because of Ed, knowing they would grow under his mentorship and work in an environment where their leader supported everyone’s pursuit of excellence. Vacancies rarely stayed open long: people lined up for the chance to work with him.
Aviation advocates in Washington consistently struggle to explain highly technical issues to Congress and the Executive Branch. Lawmakers and their staff focus on policy impact and have little patience for the technical details of flight. Ed excelled at translating the technical terms of aviation to the Hill speak. He understood, for example, the key aspects of ADS-In/Out and explained their significance in terms that resonated with congressional priorities. The language of aeronautical engineering PhDs became simple sentences the Hill could understand.
Aviation trade associations share a passion for flight, but their differing policy goals, shaped by their own segments of aviation, can make consensus hard to reach. Ed had a gift for finding common ground on a new FAA proposed rule or draft bill. Sometimes, a skillful revision of a single sentence was all it took to bring everyone together.
From his years on the Hill, Ed also knew that effective lobbying depends on more than the merits of an argument. A visit from an airline or manufacturer’s CEO, or regular attendance at campaign fundraisers, can help advocates gain a hearing. He identified NBAA member companies whose senior executives flew and understood aviation. When a senator or representative planned a trip home, NBAA connected them with a board member in that state or district to arrange a company visit. Elected officials welcomed the chance to meet major employers and see how aviation supported skilled jobs and business efficiency. Ed and his team joined these meetings, and the benefits often surfaced later in officials’ positive remarks at hearings about aviation’s value to their constituents.
If you hear two men in lively conversation coming from heaven, it’s Ed talking to his mentor and friend Ambassador Stimpson. Soon, the voice of Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum joins to adds her perspective
Above all, Ed was genuine, in both his words and, more importantly, his actions. He was a down-to-earth man with Kansas roots: kind, smart, articulate, perceptive, strategic, quietly funny, and caring. Most of all, he was a devoted husband and father. He will be missed but never forgotten.
