The AMA Foundation is built on the belief that model aviation is more than a pastime. It is a lifelong source of learning, innovation, community, and inspiration. Few people embody that belief more fully than Dan Bott.
Dan is one of the AMA Foundation's original board members and has served consecutively for more than 12 years. Over that time, he has played a vital role in helping shape the AMA Foundation's purpose, policies, and long-term vision. His leadership has been grounded in both professional expertise and personal passion.
A 50-year veteran of the investment management industry, Dan brings exceptional knowledge of finance, foundations, and endowments to the AMA Foundation. Throughout his career, he worked closely with foundations and endowment structures, giving him a deep understanding of financial stewardship, governance, and long-term sustainability. That experience has been invaluable to the AMA Foundation as it has grown into a strong and trusted philanthropic partner for AMA.
For Dan, stewardship is not optional. It is a fiduciary responsibility. He has consistently emphasized that the AMA Foundation Board must protect donor intent, safeguard contributed funds, and grow those resources in ways that will benefit the mission for generations to come. His perspective has helped guide the development of strong spending and donor policies, all aligned with good governance and the AMA Foundation's commitment to responsible philanthropy.
Dan's impact reaches back even before the AMA Foundation's establishment in 2013. He recognized early that AMA was missing an important opportunity to receive meaningful bequest support from dedicated members who wanted to leave a lasting legacy for the hobby they loved. As an early board member and later chairman, Dan helped advance conversations around planned giving and endowment development with AMA leadership. Those efforts helped lay the foundation for the AMA Foundation as it exists today.
But Dan's story is not only about financial insight. It is also about genuine love for aviation and competition. He is a lifelong hobbyist, a full-scale pilot, an owner of a hockey team, and an owner of a drag race team. His enthusiasm for excellence, discipline, and performance carries through everything he does. Most importantly, it reflects his belief in the value of model aviation as both a hobby and a sport.
Dan has remained deeply committed to helping model aviation thrive because he sees its power to shape lives. He understands that this community builds skills, friendships, and opportunities that extend far beyond the flying field. He also knows that securing the future of the hobby requires intentional investment, thoughtful leadership, and a strong foundation prepared to support that mission for decades ahead.
In this video, Dan shares why model aviation matters, why giving matters, and why a strong AMA Foundation is essential to preserving and advancing this extraordinary community. His message is one of responsibility, opportunity, and vision.
Watch the below video to hear directly from Dan about the importance of the hobby, the value of philanthropy, and the future we can build together through the AMA Foundation.
