NBAA Mourns the Passing of Aviation Legend and Former Cessna CEO Russ Meyer
The aviation community is mourning the loss of Russell W. Meyer Jr., the celebrated former chairman and CEO of Cessna Aircraft Company. Meyer, a transformative leader, is widely credited with revitalizing the single-engine piston aircraft market in the 1990s. His most significant achievement was spearheading the passage of the General Aviation Revitalization Act (GARA) of 1994, which was crucial for the industry's recovery. Meyer was also a decorated pilot, an inductee into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the prestigious Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen praised Meyer as a 'true giant' whose vision and determination left an indelible mark on business aviation.
Official Source: https://nbaa.org/2026-press-releases/nbaa-mourns-the-passing-of-aviation-visionary-russ-meyer/