BIOGRAPHY
Rebecca Spicer joined Airlines for America (A4A) as Senior Vice President, Communications in 2018. She is responsible for media relations and communications initiatives that help advance policy, legislative and regulatory priorities and execute public relations strategies on behalf of the leading U.S. airlines, both passenger and cargo carriers.
She led A4A’s communications during the COVID-19 pandemic, generating significant media coverage and launching the “Save Our Jobs” campaign that helped save the industry and get Congress to support the Payroll Support Program, which was passed three times and secured nearly $60 billion to keep airline employees on the job. Additionally, she worked with an industry coalition to amplify research conducted by Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health that concluded that air on airplanes was safe and the risk of COVID-19 exposure during air travel was low. The research was instrumental in restoring confidence in the flying public and reopening markets.
Spicer led A4A’s “5G Interference Won’t Fly” communications campaign in 2022, which was critical to educating federal leaders and the public about safety concerns amid the deployment of 5G service near airports. The campaign generated widespread media coverage and helped drive an agreement, allowing for the safe continuation of air service. The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) honored the campaign with its Power of Associations Award, and PRWeek named it a finalist for its Best in Crisis Award.
Prior to A4A, Spicer worked at the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), where she became Senior Vice President, Communications & Public Affairs. While at NBWA, she was named to PRWeek’s “40 Under 40” edition and received ASAE’s Rising Star Award.
She served in the George W. Bush White House as associate director of communications, producing televised presidential events. Earlier, she worked at WJLA in Washington, D.C., where she produced the award-winning six p.m. newscast; KTRK in Houston; WTNH in New Haven; and WVTM in Birmingham. She began as a production assistant at CNN.A Nashville native, Spicer graduated from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tenn., where she has served on the Board of Trustees, volunteered as Class Alumni Chair and received the Distinguished Young Alumna Award. She also holds a degree in communications from Indiana University.
She earned a certificate from Harvard Kennedy School's “Persuasive Communication” executive program and is a member of Page, the world's leading professional association for communications executives. PRWeek inducted her in the Hall of Femme, which honors “leaders in the communications industry who challenge the status quo, move the needle in business and strive to make a difference.” PRNEWS named her an Industry Champion, recognizing “supportive, innovative and inspiring women who are making strides within their organization.”
Spicer serves on the Board of the National Council for Adoption, volunteers as a troop leader for the Girl Scouts Nation’s Capital Council and was on the Advisory Council of the Salvation Army National Capital Region.