Nicholas E. Calio, a Citigroup executive, has been named president and CEO of the Air Transport Association of America (ATA) effective January 1, 2011. Calio succeeds James C. May, who held the post for the past eight years.
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| Nicholas E. Calio |
Calio currently leads Global Government Affairs for Citigroup and is a member of Citi's Senior Leadership Committee. Prior to joining Citigroup in 2003, Calio was the Assistant to the President for Legislative Affairs and served as chief liaison to the U.S. Congress for President George W. Bush, the same position he held under President George H.W. Bush.
Glenn Tilton, chairman of ATA and chairman of the board of United Continental Holdings, Inc., said Calio was joining ATA at an "important time for our industry, when a strong, viable aviation system will be critical to the economic recovery and global competitiveness of our country.”
"Having a professional as experienced and widely respected as Calio will be vital as the U.S. airline industry confronts a number of key issues – from improving access to international markets and increasing federal investment in air traffic infrastructure to reducing excessive taxation and regulation," Tilton added.
Calio commented that the airlines were the backbone of the transportation system and critically important to the nation's economy.
“I look forward to working with the aviation industry, Congress, the administration and the business community to ensure a financially sustainable airline sector, providing safe, reliable transportation for consumers, utilizing modernized infrastructure and operating in an environment that enables the U.S. airline industry to compete globally," Calio said.
Calio, 57, is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University and Case Western Reserve University School of Law. He lives in Chevy Chase, Maryland with his wife Lydia. They have three children. Visit www.airlines.org.