Remembering Cindy Tarver: The Matriarch Co-Founder of APEX

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Original story content by Caroline Ku and Valerie Silva

Cindy Tarver, co-founder of the Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), recently passed away, leaving behind a profound legacy that shaped the aviation industry. Her journey began in the late 1970s when she recognized the need for a dedicated forum to discuss in-flight entertainment (IFE). This vision led to founding the Airline Entertainment Association (AEA) in 1979, the precursor to APEX.

Cindy Tarver, pictured here shortly after creating what would grow into APEX, works the phone with new members to get attendees to the first-ever EXPO in the 1970s.

A Visionary Leader and Industry Pioneer
Cindy was instrumental in establishing the AEA, a response to the growing complexities of ‎the IFE industry. The idea took shape during a lunch in West Hollywood in 1978, where ‎Claus Jensen of Thai Airways International, Cindy Tarver, and Bill Stewart of Billboard ‎Music In The Air recognized the need for industry professionals to collaborate. Reflecting on ‎the early days, Cindy once said, “There was no way for the people in in-flight entertainment ‎to get together. There was no forum for it. And so we decided: Wouldn’t it be smarter if ‎we… had an annual get-together and… exchanged ideas for the improvement of our ‎industry.”‎

The first AEA conference, held in Palm Springs in 1979, was a resounding success despite ‎some challenges. Cindy played a critical role in organizing and securing sponsorships, ‎often from her own company, Billboard. This event laid the foundation for a globally ‎recognized industry gathering. Cindy’s meticulous attention to detail and ability to foster ‎relationships across the industry were key to its success.‎

Cindy’s leadership extended beyond logistics; she was a visionary who foresaw the need ‎for technical committees within the association. “Could the association then commission ‎committees to tackle technical issues and publish a newsletter to keep members up to ‎date on those topics? I started thinking,” Cindy recalled. Her forward-thinking approach led ‎to the creation of the association’s Technology Committee and other initiatives that guided ‎APEX through its evolution.‎

A Legacy of Leadership and Mentorship
Cindy’s influence in the aviation industry was profound. She played a pivotal role in paving ‎the way for women to enter leadership positions in a traditionally male-dominated field. ‎‎”In-flight entertainment had been more of an afterthought for the airlines, which, quite ‎frankly, allowed women the opportunity to grow and excel in leadership,” Cindy explained. ‎Her efforts helped increase female representation within APEX, where women often held ‎significant leadership roles.‎

In addition to her work with APEX, Cindy spent many years with Hughes Avicom, a ‎company known for its pioneering role in developing in-flight entertainment systems. ‎Hughes Avicom, later acquired by Rockwell Collins, was one of the early leaders in IFE ‎technology, providing airlines with cutting-edge solutions that transformed the passenger ‎experience. Cindy’s work with Hughes Avicom further cemented her status as an industry ‎trailblazer.

Her contributions to the industry were formally recognized in 1997 when she was awarded ‎the association’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor highlighted not only her role in founding ‎the association but also her continuous efforts to advance the field of in-flight ‎entertainment.‎

Her mentorship extended to many in the industry, including Mary Rogozinski, who served ‎as president of the World Airline Entertainment Association (WAEA) from 2002 to 2004. “I ‎was impressed by her knowledge of the industry and the respect others had for her,” ‎Rogozinski said. “I have always considered Cindy a mentor and a friend.”‎

Cindy’s legacy was not just in the formal structures she helped build but also in the ‎relationships she fostered. She fondly remembered how the AEA allowed her to meet ‎industry peers who became lifelong friends, including John McMahon. “We became fast ‎friends, and later, John came to work for our company. We were such good friends that his ‎wife often called me ‘the other woman,'” Cindy once shared.‎

Honoring Cindy Tarver’s Legacy
As the aviation industry mourns Cindy Tarver’s passing, it also celebrates her incredible ‎impact on shaping the future of in-flight entertainment. Her work with APEX, from its early ‎days as the AEA to its current status as the leading global association for passenger ‎experience, set a high standard for excellence and innovation. Reflecting on her legacy, ‎APEX CEO Dr. Joe Leader remarked, “Cindy Tarver was the unseen force behind the ‎evolution of the APEX EXPO. While I never had the privilege of knowing her personally, her ‎work and profound forward-thinking influence were gifts to us all to carry forward. Cindy’s ‎legacy is one of excellence and dedication—qualities that have left a lasting imprint on the ‎entire industry.”‎

Cindy Tarver’s story is one of perseverance, innovation, and leadership. Her contributions ‎to APEX and the broader aviation industry will continue to inspire future generations. She ‎leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered and emulated for years to come.‎
For more detailed past APEX insights, you can read the full articles:‎