Airport Alert: President Biden to Nominate Denver International CEO Phil Washington to be FAA Administrator
July 6, 2022
The White House announced on July 6 President Biden's intent to nominate Phil Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport (DEN), to serve as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). FAA's Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety (AVS) Billy Nolen has been serving in an acting capacity atop the agency since the departure of former Administrator Steve Dickson earlier this year.
"Phil has spent decades leading complex organizations and successfully managing multi-faceted transportation programs. I know him to be incisive, thoughtful, deliberate and a gifted, intentional leader," said AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli. "The FAA assignment is no easy task, but given the chance, he will more than meet the challenge."
For the past year, Washington has run DEN, where he has overseen a nearly $2 billion capital investment project. Prior to this, Washington had an extensive and diverse transportation-related career, including serving as CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and CEO of the Denver Regional Transportation District. Originally from Chicago, he is a 24-year Army veteran and graduate of both Columbia College Chicago and Webster University.
Washington's nomination now heads to the Senate, where it will first be considered by the Senate Commerce Committee. While Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has yet to announce a confirmation hearing, she will likely try to schedule one quickly given the Senate's limited calendar until the midterm elections and the ongoing challenges experienced by the aviation sector.
The White House announced on July 6 President Biden's intent to nominate Phil Washington, CEO of Denver International Airport (DEN), to serve as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). FAA's Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety (AVS) Billy Nolen has been serving in an acting capacity atop the agency since the departure of former Administrator Steve Dickson earlier this year.
"Phil has spent decades leading complex organizations and successfully managing multi-faceted transportation programs. I know him to be incisive, thoughtful, deliberate and a gifted, intentional leader," said AAAE President and CEO Todd Hauptli. "The FAA assignment is no easy task, but given the chance, he will more than meet the challenge."
For the past year, Washington has run DEN, where he has overseen a nearly $2 billion capital investment project. Prior to this, Washington had an extensive and diverse transportation-related career, including serving as CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and CEO of the Denver Regional Transportation District. Originally from Chicago, he is a 24-year Army veteran and graduate of both Columbia College Chicago and Webster University.
Washington's nomination now heads to the Senate, where it will first be considered by the Senate Commerce Committee. While Senate Commerce Chair Maria Cantwell (D-WA) has yet to announce a confirmation hearing, she will likely try to schedule one quickly given the Senate's limited calendar until the midterm elections and the ongoing challenges experienced by the aviation sector.
