About

Elizabeth Tennyson is the Senior Vice President of the AOPA Foundation. In this role, she leads AOPA’s philanthropic arm as well as the You Can Fly program. Elizabeth works with a team of dedicated professionals who focus on building and funding programs that grow the pilot population, improve safety, introduce young people to aviation, and make flying more accessible and affordable. Tennyson first joined AOPA in 1998. Her past positions have included executive director of You Can Fly, managing editor of Flight Training magazine, executive editor of AOPA Pilot magazine, vice president of publications, vice president of eMedia, and senior director of communications. Tennyson was a television, radio, and Associated Press reporter in Los Angeles, Miami, and Raleigh, North Carolina before joining AOPA. She also served as editor-in-chief for a collection of legal and golf magazines. Tennyson serves on the boards of the Aerospace Center for Excellence and the Aviation Accreditation Board International and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals.

Maggie joined the team in 2022, writing content for the AOPA Foundation. She started her nonprofit career in 2012 as an AmeriCorps member with Habitat for Humanity in Baltimore. Since then, she earned her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and has worked in marketing and development at various organization in both Maryland and Texas. Aviation runs in her family, as her husband is a pilot and currently works in aviation. Contact Maggie at (301) 695-2311 or [email protected]

As the AOPA Foundation’s Corporate Ambassador, Peter works closely with aviation businesses and leaders who support the AOPA Foundation’s High School Aviation STEM Curriculum, the You Can Fly program, the AOPA Air Safety Institute, and other great programs designed to create a stronger, safer aviation community. Peter is a private pilot with an extensive background in sales. He studied business administration at Loyola University and business economics at the University of Chicago. Peter is the past owner of the WACO Aircraft Corporation, manufacturer of the WACO YMF-5 series of aircraft and the aerobatic Great Lakes 2T-1A-2. Peter is an aerobatic pilot, with multi, instrument and seaplane ratings. When he isn’t flying from his home base in Michigan, Peter enjoys mountain biking, sailing, iceboating, and snow sports. Contact Peter at (301) 695-2151 or [email protected]

Margaret joined the AOPA Foundation team in May 2022 with more than 30 years of fundraising and development experience, promoting non-profit organizations and membership associations. She has cultivated research, messaging, strategic planning and program performance analysis for ongoing donor programs and major gift initiatives. Prior to joining AOPA, she worked for a social services and cancer research organizations, in addition to direct marketing agencies in the Washington, DC region. She has a BA from Michigan State University in Advertising, and certification in Grant Writing and Grants Management. In her free time, Margaret enjoys global and cultural travel adventures, theatre, reading, spending time with family and friends and writing her next novel in the fiction genre. Contact Margaret at (301) 695-2013 or [email protected]

Sam joined the AOPA Foundation team in 2019. Sam is responsible for internal and external communications that convey the impact the Foundation makes in the General Aviation community. Prior to joining the Foundation team, Sam worked as the Marketing Director at the YMCA in Frederick, Maryland for six years. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Sam is looking forward to becoming a Private Pilot. Contact Sam at (301) 695-2333 or [email protected]

Becky joined the AOPA Foundation team in 2017. She serves as the liaison for President’s Council and Legacy Society members. After graduating from Salisbury University in 2004, Becky began her career in fundraising for an order of Catholic priests and Brothers where she held several positions during her twelve-year tenure. Becky accomplished her first solo in February 2021 and is enjoying the flight training process with her ever-patient CFI. Contact Becky at (301) 695-2274 or [email protected]

Morty serves the AOPA Foundation as the major gifts officer and has over 30 years of experience in fundraising and business development. He enjoys sharing stories of the transformational work of AOPA with supporters to help fund needed aviation programs. He states, “There is nothing like being able to align a donor’s passion for flying with their giving. It brings an incredible sense of satisfaction to them, in knowing that they’re helping fund programs to secure the future of general aviation.” Morty understands their passion. He is a second-generation commercial pilot with over 2,700 hours in 80 different types of aircraft. When not traveling on business, Morty and his wife, Joyce, enjoy flying to relaxing destinations in their Cirrus SR-22. Contact Morty at (301) 695-2101 or [email protected]

Agnes joined the AOPA Foundation in 2009 after working in AOPA’s marketing department for seven years. During her tenure, she has worked on many projects to help the organization achieve its goals. She works closely with the Executive Director and Director of Development Operations to help drive the strategic direction by assisting with creation and execution of budgets, ongoing systems management, research and process improvements. Prior to AOPA, she worked for a direct marketing firm and managed a printing company, where she was highly involved with other nonprofit organizations. Agnes holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in management with a nonprofit specialization. She began her private pilot license training and hopes to get back into flying soon. Contact Agnes at (301) 695-2112 or [email protected]

Kim joined AOPA more than 38 years ago, and since October 2016, provides key administrative support to the AOPA Foundation team. Prior to joining the Foundation, Kim served as a Member Services Representative, where she used her experience communicating with the members and knowledge of the AOPA database to provide excellent service to members. Prior to that, Kim was the Program Specialist for the Airport Support Network Program (ASN). Contact Kim at (301) 695-2208 or [email protected]

Carli has been with AOPA since 2017 and joined the AOPA Foundation in March 2020, where she served as Development Coordinator and Hat in the Ring Society liaison. Prior to joining the Foundation, Carli was a Member Services Senior Specialist where she provided comprehensive assistance with membership needs and provided excellent customer service. Carli earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University of Maryland University College in 2018. Contact Carli at (301) 695-2207 or [email protected]

Laurie joined the AOPA Foundation in July 2019 with more than 20 years of prospect research and development experience. She works closely with the Vice President of the Foundation and other team members. Laurie helps drive the strategic direction by working on proactive and reactive prospect research projects and assists in maintaining database integrity. Prior to joining AOPA, she worked for cultural, educational, and healthcare organizations in Alexandria, VA, Baltimore, MD, and in her native MA. Laurie had a prospect research and consulting business for several years as well. She has a BA from Assumption College, JD from Catholic University, and Certificate in Fundraising from UMass Amherst. Laurie enjoys travel, sports, spending time with family and friends, and supporting animal welfare issues. Contact Laurie at (301) 695-2173 or [email protected]