Ed Stimpson, the founder and long time head of the General Aviation Manufacturers Assn. (GAMA), who went on to become the U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and chairman of the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) died Nov. 25 at his home in Boise, Idaho, after a long illness.

Stimpson was one of general aviation's strongest advocates in Washington. He is credited with championing the General Aviation Revitalization Act of 1994, which helped reinvigorate an industry by capping manufacturers product liability.

The FSF awarded Stimpson the 2009 FSF-Boeing Aviation Safety Lifetime Achievement Award. FSF President and CEO William R. Voss said "his work at GAMA, his service to ICAO and his years of dedication to Flight Safety Foundation have left an indelible mark on aviation safety.”

Stimpson served as the Representative of the United States to ICAO for five years, starting in 1999, a post that carries the rank of ambassador. He served on numerous government and industry advisory boards, including most recently his service as chair of the "Managing Risks in Civil Aviation" Independent Review Team at the request of U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters in 2008.

Prior to his service at ICAO, he spent 25 years as president of GAMA. Before joining GAMA, he served as assistant administrator of congressional relations at the FAA.