Executive Director (Grand Rapids, MI)

A self-proclaimed “avgeek,” Justin Ellixson-Andrews has spent his career advocating for others and helping to open doors for underrepresented communities within the field of aviation. As a kid, he was always enthralled by planes, never missing an opportunity to sign up for a discovery flight at a nearby airshow. It was after Justin's first commercial flight at age 6 that his parents would learn his infatuation reached far beyond airshows and would later develop into a lifelong career.

Justin has held various positions within the aviation industry including Director of Sales, Director of Admissions, and Regional Talent Acquisition Partner. Prior to joining NGPA, he was the Head of Talent Acquisition and Learning & Development for JSX, a hop-on jet service. Justin was responsible for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) recruitment and retention strategy, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and community outreach programs, as well as establishing and maintaining relationships with industry partners like NGPA, Colleges and Universities, and trade schools. Justin also served as Chair of the company’s employee resource group, advocating on behalf of the entire workforce on policies including LGBTQ+ inclusion and minority equality.

Justin attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he earned a Bachelors in Aeronautics, a Masters in Leadership, and a Private Pilot Certificate. He currently resides in Grand Rapids, Michigan with his husband, Kyle, and their 'dog-child', Bernhardt or "Bernie" for short.

Board Chair (Arlington, VA)

Doug is honored to be stepping into the role of Chair for NGPA’s Board of Directors for 2025. He has spent the last six years serving as a member of the Finance Committee, chair of NGPA’s Governance Committee as well as board Vice Chair. During his time on the Board, he has helped lead NGPA’s annual director search, developed updates to NGPA’s bylaws and focused on improving Board productivity and effectiveness.

Doug’s aviation career currently has him serving as the Senior Vice President for Safety, Security, Sustainability and International Affairs at the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in Washington, DC. Prior to NBAA, he worked at the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) and also served for six years in the U.S. Navy on board the USS Norfolk (SSN-714) where he served as part of the engineering team responsible for the operation, support and repair of the submarine’s nuclear reactor and support systems.

Doug earned a BS in Aviation Management from Southern Illinois University and is an active general aviation pilot and former flight instructor flying a Cirrus out of Leesburg Airport in Virginia. He lives with his partner Scott and three four-legged sons (Chevy, JJ and Kona) in Arlington, Virginia.