The FAA selected its top safety official, Billy Nolen, to step in as acting administrator following the departure of Steve Dickson this week. FAA Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims will expand his duties to focus on the agency’s workforce and airports initiatives.
Dickson announced last month his plans to step down as FAA administrator at the end of March. A former Delta Air Lines senior v-p who was sworn in on Aug. 12, 2019, Dickson is departing the agency halfway through his five-year term but cited a desire to devote his attention to his family full time.
The Biden Administration is conducting a search for a permanent successor to serve a five-year term.
In January, Nolen became FAA associate administrator for aviation safety, leading a team of 7,600 employees. He joined the agency with more than three decades of experience, beginning as a pilot for American Airlines and later moving into safety management. He subsequently has held key safety leadership roles with Airlines for America, Qantas, and most recently WestJet. He also served as an airplane and helicopter pilot and safety officer with the U.S. Army.
Mims, meanwhile, has 40 years of transportation experience in the public and private sector including serving as president and CEO of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials and with the FAA during the Clinton Administration.
“Billy Nolen has extensive expertise in aviation and a deep understanding of the vital role the FAA plays in ensuring the safety of the traveling public,” said U.S Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “We are grateful to Steve for his service and to Billy and Brad for stepping up to lead the FAA during this critical time.”
Aviation leaders welcomed the appointments. "Billy Nolen is widely respected for his aviation experience, leadership skills, and deep commitment to safety," said NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen. "He and Deputy Administrator Bradley Mims make a very strong team, and we look forward to working with them both toward our mutual goal of preserving our nation’s leadership in aviation."
“We look forward to continuing to work with [Nolen] and his team on initiatives that advance safety and protect aviation businesses and the public,” added John McGraw, NATA v-p of regulatory affairs.
