Washington, DC, June 6, 2024. Media contact: media@raa.org
Washington, DC — The Regional Airline Association has promoted Association veteran Drew Jacoby Lemos to Senior Vice President of Government and External Affairs.
Jacoby Lemos, who joined RAA in 2017 as Director of Legislative Affairs, oversees the Association’s advocacy and has increasingly stepped into leadership roles managing coalitions, public affairs, and other means of promoting a safe, reliable and strong regional airline industry.
In the expanded role, Jacoby Lemos also take on a larger role in planning and executing RAAs comprehensive policy strategy, focusing on safety, small community air service, and a healthy regional airline workforce. Drew will continue to ensure policymakers understand the importance of regional airlines and the air service they uniquely provide.
“With the addition of external affairs, and promotion to Senior Vice President, Drew’s elevated role communicates the importance of legislative engagement as a two-way communication,” said RAA CEO Faye Malarkey Black. “Drew has been a thoughtful advocate, working effectively toward the greater good in aviation. He says what he means, means what he says, and keeps his commitments, which has helped him to earn the trust of lawmakers and advocacy staff on both sides of the aisle.”
“I am thrilled to take on this expanded role with RAA and want to thank RAA’s CEO Faye Malarkey Black along with RAA’s Board of Directors for their confidence and trust. Regional airlines are critical infrastructure that are vital for our nation’s economic development; our members bring air service to countless U.S. communities that would otherwise lose access to the global air transportation system. I look forward to advocating on their behalf and doing my part to ensure a safe, healthy, and reliable industry.”
Prior to joining RAA, Jacoby Lemos spent almost a decade working for federal and state elected officials in various roles including New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and House Appropriations Chairwoman Nita Lowey (retired).
About RAA
The Regional Airline Association (RAA) provides a unified voice of advocacy for North American regional airlines aimed at promoting a safe, reliable, and strong regional airline industry. RAA serves as an important support network connecting regional airlines and industry business partners. Regional airlines operate 35% of U.S. scheduled passenger flights and provide the only source of scheduled air service to 64% of the nation’s airports. Regional airlines provide more than 70% of the air service in Alabama (72%), Alaska (88%), Arkansas (75%), Maine (72%), North Dakota (87%), South Dakota (75%), Vermont (77%), West Virginia (92%) and Wyoming (73%). Regional airlines provide more than half of the air service in Idaho (70%), Indiana (56%), Iowa (63%), Kansas (69%), Kentucky (58%), Mississippi (68%), Montana (65%), Nebraska (53%), New Hampshire (58%), and Rhode Island (58%).