A4A Names Top House Aide Josh Saltzman VP, Global Government Affairs

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Jun 06, 2012, 02:48 ET

Strengthens Global Advocacy Team

WASHINGTON, June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Airlines for America (A4A), the industry trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today named Josh Saltzman, top aide to Rep. Pete Sessions, (R- TX), to the role of Vice President, Global Government Affairs, further expanding the depth and breadth of the association's advocacy team.

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Saltzman joins A4A having spent the last 12 years on Capitol Hill, most recently serving as Chief of Staff to Rep. Sessions, who is Vice Chairman of the powerful House Rules Committee and Chairman of the Rules Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process. In this role, Saltzman was chief policy and political aide and served as primary liaison with Republican leadership offices, Members of Congress and their staffs. He has extensive management and legislative experience.

"Josh has a proven track record of working cooperatively with leadership and with members of both parties, and will be a strong addition to our growing advocacy team that is drawn from the White House and top Hill leadership staffs," said A4A President and CEO Nicholas Calio.

"Commercial aviation is a significant contributor to the economy, driving 5 percent of U.S. GDP and creating nearly 10 million jobs, and can do more. With the addition of Josh, we continue our work to build a world-class trade association and advocacy team that can help ensure the U.S. airline industry has the right infrastructure, tax and regulatory environment to compete globally, add service and create jobs."

"Josh is a smart, loyal and trusted professional whose service has been a tremendous asset to my office," said Rep. Sessions. "While I will miss his experience, skill and leadership, Airlines for America could not have hired a more hard-working or dedicated advocate."

Prior to his most recent post, Saltzman served as Deputy Chief of Staff/Rules Committee Associate for Rep. Sessions and also worked as legislative aide to Rep. Edward Royce (R-CA) and as a staff member to Rep. Patrick Toomey (R-PA).

"It is hard to imagine an industry more dynamic and one that has more opportunity to further drive the economy than the airline industry," Saltzman said. "I look forward to working with A4A and our members to continue to move the industry forward."

Saltzman received his master's degree in philosophy from the University of Dublin, Trinity College; and his bachelor's degree in government from The College of William and Mary. Saltzman will join A4A on June 18.

ABOUT A4A

Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 10 million U.S. jobs. A4A airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesdotorg.

SOURCE Airlines for America