Marion Blakey 2009
Marion Blakey, CEO of Aerospace Industries Association. Credit: SpaceNews

Marion Blakey is stepping down as president of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) to become president and chief executive officer of Rolls Royce North America, the Arlington, Virginia-based trade association announced Feb. 24.

Blakey took over AIA in 2007 following a government career that includes stints as the head of the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.

AIA’s chairman, GE Aviation CEO David Joyce, said in a statement that the association is “quickly moving forward to identify Marion’s successor.”