Debra McFarland

Debra McFarland is vice president, administration and meeting management, for the Aircraft Electronics Association. McFarland has been with the Association since it moved its headquarters to Independence, Missouri, in 1977. Since that time, the organization’s membership has grown from 257 companies to more than 1,000 worldwide companies comprised of government certified repair stations and manufacturers.

McFarland’s responsibilities include overseeing the day-to-day operations at the headquarters office, assisting the president of AEA, planning 12 to 15 meetings/trade shows annually (in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia), coordinating AEA’s Educational Foundation, handling membership surveys/benefits, and representing AEA at other industry functions. She actively participated in the passing of the 1994 General Aviation Revitalization Act.

McFarland has been a member of WAI since 1995. She has attended all of the annual conferences since 1993. She is also a member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Kansas City chapter of ASAE and the International Association of Exhibition Management.

A primary goal for McFarland is to obtain her private pilot’s certificate. She is involved in local community affairs, including the Blue Springs School District Round Table Committee, Community Association for the Arts and several Parent Booster Clubs at the high school.