(The Center Square) — Former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu is moving from politics to shaping public policy after being tapped to take over the nation’s leading aviation industry lobbying groups.
Sununu, a Republican who stepped down in January after four terms as governor, has been hired by Washington, D.C.-based Airlines for America to assume the role of president and CEO in September to replace Nick Calio, who is leaving after 15 years.
In a statement, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby and board chairman said he has “personally long admired” Sununu and called him the “absolutely the right leader” to represent the nation’s aviation industry.
“The airline industry is one of the most essential enablers of strong economic growth here in the U.S. and for connecting and sharing American culture and values around the world,” Kirby said.
Sununu said he was “honored” to join the lobbying group at a “critical moment for an aviation industry that supports over 10 million jobs and serves as a key economic driver in communities big and small across the country.”
“I look forward to working closely with our Board, President Trump and Secretary Duffy, Congress, and other aviation stakeholders to support the ongoing investment and overhaul of our air traffic control infrastructure,” he said in a statement. “Strengthening and modernizing our system is vital for making the safest mode of transportation even safer and more efficient and maintaining the global competitiveness of the U.S. airline industry.”
Sununu, whose lineage hails from one of New Hampshire’s most storied political families, had been encouraged by President Donald Trump and other top Republicans to run for the U.S. Senate seat held by Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, who announced in March that she would not seek reelection.
The former ski resort owner had been urged by national Republicans to run for U.S. Senate several years ago — when Democratic Sen. Maggie Hassan was up for reelection — but he opted for another term as governor.
In May, Sununu took his first steps back to the private sector since serving four terms in the governor’s office after joining a New York-based venture capital firm run by a former MIT classmate.
“Chris has consistently demonstrated strategic vision, operational expertise and a knack for getting hard things done,” Airlines for America Board Vice Chair and American Airlines CEO Robert Isom said in a statement. “At this pivotal moment for U.S. aviation, he’s the right leader for Airlines for America, and I look forward to working with him to advance aviation safety, modernize our air traffic control system, and ensure U.S. aviation continues to fuel the American economy.”
