About | CAA: Cargo Airline Association

The Cargo Airline Association (CAA) promotes and advocates for the air cargo industry and serves to support and encourage policy that ensures safety, security, efficiency and resiliency of this essential segment of the global supply chain.

As the voice of the air cargo industry, CAA actively fosters relationships with aviation industry partners and policymakers to ensure the U.S. all-cargo air carrier industry remains a global leader. Association members deliver to every zip code in the United States, maintain global networks and support the growing air cargo marketplace.

The Cargo Airline Association (CAA) is a 501 (c) (6) based in Washington, D.C. The Association was originally formed in 1948 as the Air Freight Forwarders Association, representing air freight forwarders (indirect air carriers) in their dealings with direct air carriers, mostly in proceedings before the Civil Aeronautics Board. This representation continued virtually unchanged until the late 1970s when deregulation altered the dynamics of the entire airline industry. In 1977, the air cargo industry was deregulated (a year before passenger airline deregulation) and, free from much of the then-existing federal regulation, a new industry, the overnight express business, emerged to join the small number of traditional heavy freight operators.

Faced with a changing industry, the Association adapted to recognize the new entrants into the air cargo supply chain. Airlines were allowed to join as Associate Members and then, in the mid-1980s as the airline segment grew, the Association became the voice of the “new air cargo marketplace”, with airlines becoming dominant in Association activities. Shortly thereafter, the Association formally changed its name to the Cargo Airline Association and embarked on a path to represent the all-cargo airlines.

Today, CAA continues to represent five all-cargo airline members of the air cargo industry, while recognizing the contributions of other segments by having indirect air carriers, other companies with a stake in the air cargo marketplace, and airports engaged in significant cargo operations as Associate Members. Both express and heavy freight operations continue to form the backbone of the industry.

Membership in the Cargo Airline Association is open to all-cargo airlines, airports and others with an interest in the all-cargo industry. For further information, please contact CAA at ContactCAA@cargoair.org or 202.293.1030.

Meet Our Team

Lauren Beyer

President

Lauren Beyer is the President of the Cargo Airline Association where she leads the Association in promoting the all-cargo air carrier industry. She leads advocacy for the organization and is responsible for formulating industry policy and overseeing the Association’s daily activities.

Full Bio

Prior to joining the Cargo Airline Association, Lauren served as the Vice President for Security and Facilitation at Airlines for America where she represented the largest U.S. passenger and cargo airlines to the federal government on all security, cybersecurity, cargo and passenger facilitation issues.

Lauren also served as the Director for Aviation and Surface Transportation Security at the National Security Council where she was responsible for directing and coordinating national aviation security policies. Beyer held several positions at the Transportation Security Administration managing engagement with transportation security stakeholders across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. She also served in various roles in the Office of Policy at the Department of Homeland Security including leading engagement with the Presidency of the European Union while stationed in Budapest, Hungary and Warsaw, Poland.

Lauren holds a B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and an M.A. in American Government from Georgetown University. She is married with two children.

Brianna Manzelli

Managing Director of Legislative Policy

Brianna Manzelli is the Managing Director of Legislative Policy where she is responsible for advocating for a broad range of issues for the air cargo industry. She represents CAA members before the U.S. Congress and other government agencies.

Full Bio

Prior to joining the Cargo Airline Association, Brianna served as a senior advisor and communications director for Senator Mitt Romney where she developed and implemented a comprehensive communications strategy to advance Senator Romney’s legislative priorities while also serving as an advisor on major policy initiatives, most notably the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Prior to joining the Senator’s office, Brianna was the Assistant Administrator for Communications at the Federal Aviation Administration from 2019-2021. At the FAA, she served as chief spokesperson and strategic policy advisor to the FAA Administrator on all internal and external communications programs. During her tenure, Brianna developed and executed the outreach plan for the return to service of the Boeing 737 MAX and FAA’s response to COVID-19. Prior to the FAA, Brianna was the Communications Director for the Senate Commerce Committee.

Originally from Massachusetts, Brianna earned a Bachelor’s degree in Politics from The Catholic University of America. She currently lives in Virginia with her husband and son.

Jennifer Thibodeau

Managing Director, Safety and Regulatory Policy

Jennifer Thibodeau is the Managing Director of Safety and Regulatory Policy. Jennifer is responsible for leading safety and regulatory work before the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Department of Transportation and other U.S. federal agencies. She collaborates closely with CAA members to advance industry safety priorities as well as the protection of global access for air cargo.

Full Bio

Prior to joining the Cargo Airline Association, Jennifer was a Senior Attorney in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Transportation where she worked for over twenty years on major international transportation issues.

In international aviation, Jennifer worked closely with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs and industry stakeholders on negotiations and a wide range of economic regulatory issues. She provided counsel for major bilateral aviation agreements, including such major markets as the European Union, Japan, and Mexico, opening the latter two countries’ markets to expanded passenger and cargo services. Jennifer also worked closely with the FAA on a wide range of safety issues. Jennifer was the international trade law coordinator in her office, attending trade negotiations and handling legal issues such as specialty air services.

Jennifer received her B.A. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin and her J.D. from the College of William and Mary Marshall-Wythe School of Law. She lives in Maryland with her husband and daughter.