New members to serve three years, provide advice to the FAA on
policy, budget and regulations
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today
appointed three new members to the FAA's Management Advisory
Council (MAC). The council advises the FAA on policy, budget
and regulations.
The three are Charles F. Bolden Jr., senior vice president, Tech
Trans International, Inc.; Russell W. Meyer Jr., chairman of Cessna
Aircraft Co.; and Philip J. Trenary, president and CEO of Pinnacle
Airlines Corp.
"These new council members are outstanding leaders of
aviation from the private sector," said Secretary Mineta. "The
council's insight and innovation will help guide the national
airspace system into the 21st century."
"The council helps us operate as a smart, performance-based
business," said FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey. "Their
experience in private industry will help us provide better service
to the flying public. They're charged with making sure that
we deliver service that is safe, efficient and affordable."
Created by the federal aviation reauthorization act of 1996, the
MAC meets quarterly to assess and advise the FAA on the agency's
performance. The panel members serve three-year terms in a
volunteer capacity and retain their private sector positions.
As senior vice president, Bolden helps lead Tech Trans
International, which provides support services to the International
Space Station and joint U.S./Russian space programs through
translation, interpretation, language training, and
logistics. Prior to his work with Tech Trans, retired Maj.
Gen. Bolden served a two-year tour as Commanding General of the
Third Marine Aircraft Wing, headquartered at the U.S. Marine Corps
Air Station, San Diego. Throughout his more than 30-year military
career, he has served in various leadership positions, including
Deputy Commandant of the U.S. Naval Academy and Commanding General
of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (FWD) in support of Operation
Desert Thunder in Kuwait.
Bolden also qualified as a Space Shuttle pilot astronaut in 1981
and flew four missions. At NASA, he served as an assistant
deputy administrator from 1992 to 1994. Bolden received a Bachelor
of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Master of
Science degree in systems management from the University of
Southern California. He also is a graduate of the U.S. Naval
Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, MD.
Meyer became chairman
and CEO Cessna in 1975. Cessna manufactures the most complete
line of aircraft in the world, from business jets, to freight-and
passenger-hauling utility aircraft, to personal and small-business
single engine pistons planes. From 1966 to 1974, he served as
president and CEO at Grumman American Aviation Corp. in Cleveland.
Prior to joining Grumman he was an attorney with the firm of Arter
and Haden in Cleveland. Meyer graduated from Yale University
and Harvard Law School. He served as a pilot in the
U.S. Air Force and in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1958 to
1961 and is a type rated pilot in all Cessna aircraft models.
Trenary became president and CEO at Pinnacle Airlines in 1997.
Pinnacle offers regional airline passenger service as a feeder for
Northwest Airlines. Trenary is also a U.S. Senate appointee
to the National Commission on Small Community Air Service and is
current chairman of the Regional Airline Association. Prior to his
work at Pinnacle, he served for 14 years as president and CEO at
Lone Star Airlines. Trenary is a graduate of Oklahoma State
University.
The new appointments join incumbent council members: Randy
Babbitt, Eclat Consulting senior partner and council chairman;
Angela Gittens, Miami International Airport director; David
Neeleman, JetBlue Airways Corp. CEO; Robert L. Crandall, American
Airlines retired CEO and president; Paul F. Schoelhammer, retired
partner/director of government affairs at Zuckert, Scoutt and
Rasenberger, LLP; and Jim Smith, Newport News/Williamsburg
International Airport executive director and Peninsula Airport
Commission member.