The FAA has been without a permanent leader since March 2022, when Trump-appointed Administrator Steve Dickson stepped down. Biden’s last pick, Phil Washington, withdrew his nomination in March amid criticism that he lacked the necessary experience. The FAA has been beset with high-profile mishaps, and with no administrator in place, the issues have largely fallen to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Earlier this year, the FAA dealt with an alarming uptick in close calls at U.S. airports and a national flight grounding in January.
“I am pleased to announce a team of experienced leaders to guide the FAA… and I have full confidence in Polly’s steady hand during the search for a permanent administrator,” Buttigieg said in a press release on Thursday. Katie Thomson, the FAA’s current chief of staff, will be appointed as the deputy administrator, and Keith Washington, currently the agency’s deputy assistant secretary for administration, will serve as acting chief of staff.
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Before serving as deputy secretary, Trottenberg led the New York City Transportation Department from 2014 to 2020 and was a legislative staffer in the U.S. Senate for 12 years, as well as working at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The White House has not announced a name for a permanent administrator.
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Biden has faced challenges in getting some of his nominations through the Senate due to tight margins. His pick for Labor secretary, Julie Su, has faced a rocky road in the Senate with Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) not outright supporting her yet.
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