Will Move To New Role In November
Aero-News has learned
Marion C. Blakey has been named President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Aerospace Industries Association, the trade
association representing the nation's manufacturers of aerospace
equipment, effective November 12, 2007. The announcement was made
Tuesday by William H. Swanson, 2007 Chairman of the AIA Board of
Governors and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Raytheon
Company.
Blakey is the 15th Administrator of the Federal Aviation
Administration, a position she has held since September of 2002.
Her term as FAA Administrator ends September 13, 2007. As FAA
Administrator, Blakey is responsible for regulating and advancing
the safety of the nation's airways, as well as operating the
world's largest air traffic control system. Prior to being named
FAA Administrator, Blakey served as Chairman of the National
Transportation Safety Board.
Blakey succeeds John W. Douglass as AIA President and CEO.
Douglass has been President and CEO of AIA since September 1998,
and will remain with AIA through December 31, 2007 to provide
counsel and ensure a smooth transition.
AIA Board of Governors Chairman Swanson said Douglass showed
exceptional leadership through an important period in the aerospace
and defense industry. "John has provided a steady hand at the
controls for almost a decade," Swanson said. "We wish him well in
his retirement and thank him for his many years of dedicated
service to AIA."
Swanson added, "We are very pleased to name Marion Blakey to the
role of AIA President and CEO. Her exceptional experience in the
executive branch of government, as well her deep expertise in
public affairs and government relations, will greatly benefit all
the members of AIA as she represents the industry in the years
ahead."
As FAA Administrator, Blakey has overseen the safest period for
air travel in the United States' history and is a tireless safety
advocate internationally. According to the AIA, Blakey has
instituted solid business practices at the agency with more than 97
percent of the agency's major programs coming in on time and on
budget. Under her leadership, the Next Generation Air
Transportation System was launched and significant progress made
toward its implementation.
Prior to her leadership roles at FAA and NTSB, Blakey held five
previous Presidential appointments, four of which required Senate
confirmation. From 1992 to 1993, Blakey served as Administrator of
the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration. As the nation's leading highway safety official,
she was charged with reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses
resulting from motor vehicle crashes. Prior to her service at
NHTSA, she held key positions at the Department of Commerce, the
Department of Education, the National Endowment for the Humanities,
the White House and the Department of Transportation.
From 1993 to 2001,
Blakey was the principal of Blakey & Associates -- now Blakey
& Agnew -- a Washington, DC public affairs consulting firm with
a particular focus on transportation issues and traffic safety.
Blakey was born in Gadsden, AL and received her bachelor's
degree with honors in international studies from Mary Washington
College of the University of Virginia. She also attended John
Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies for
graduate work in Middle East Affairs.
Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents
the nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil,
military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial
vehicles, space systems, aircraft engines, materiel, and related
components, equipment services, and information technology.