Strategic Policy

Statement from A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio

November 30, 2020

WASHINGTON, November 30, 2020 – Statement from A4A President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio:

We join our TTD colleagues and others across the aviation industry in mourning the tragic loss of Larry Willis. Our hearts go out to his family, his colleagues at the AFL-CIO and his friends.

Larry was a passionate advocate for the men and women he represented, but he always worked to have a constructive conversation with the goal of building a solid understanding and reaching consensus whenever possible. There are not many people in Washington who still are willing to pick up the phone, ask the tough questions and listen to the other side on difficult issues, but Larry was just that guy. He looked for a path forward instead of building barriers.

We often say that airline employees are the backbone of the industry. Larry exemplified that every day. Larry was respected for being an effective leader on policy positions, but he will be remembered for the value he put on people and the longstanding friendships he made with people across the spectrum.

We were proud to call him a friend. We, like others across the industry, will miss him.