President Joe Biden announced that Polly Trottenberg will serve as new Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Trottenberg will replace Billy Nolen the previous Acting Administrator, who was at the helm of the FAA since April 1, 2022. Previously, Biden nominated Phil Washington, the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Denver International Airport (DEN) to lead the FAA. However, in March 2023, Washington withdrew from the race to become head of the agency following pushback from Republicans.
“The partisan attacks and procedural obstruction he has faced are undeserved, but I respect his decision to withdraw and am grateful for his service,” said Pete Buttigieg, the United States Secretary of Transportation in a statement in March 2023. A month later, Nolen stepped down from his role as the Acting Administrator.
Trottenberg‘s appointment is effective immediately, following the announcement on June 8, 2023.
“I am pleased to announce a team of experienced leaders to guide the FAA,” said Buttigieg, as he announced the new leadership at the FAA. “I am grateful to Billy for his service during one of the most challenging and dynamic times in aviation, and I have full confidence in Polly’s steady hand during the search for a permanent administrator,” he added.
The FAA’s announcement noted that Trottenberg has held various public roles over her 30-year career, including being the U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary. In addition to the new appointment to head the FAA, Katie Thomson, the FAA’s current chief of staff, will become the deputy administrator, while Keith Washington, the current Department of Transportation (DOT) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, will become the agency’s chief of staff.
According to a previous report by The Air Current, Nolen has been in advanced talks to join Archer, an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) manufacturer based in the United States (US).