James A. Viola

HAI is the professional trade association for the international helicopter industry and represents more than 1,100 companies and over 16,000 industry professionals in more than 65 countries. Each year, HAI members safely operate more than 3,700 helicopters and remotely piloted aircraft approximately 2.9 million hours. HAI is dedicated to the promotion of vertical aviation as a safe, effective method of commerce and to the advancement of the international vertical aviation community. Headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, HAI is governed by a Board of Directors elected from the membership, with daily operations conducted by a dedicated professional staff. On November 1, 2005, Matthew Zuccaro assumed the office of president of HAI following a career in aviation that spanned over 50 years. James A. Viola assumed the office of President and CEO on January 16, 2020, after serving as the director of General Aviation (GA) Safety Assurance for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for almost two years.