Christopher Rocheleau, a 20-year FAA employee who had served as chief of staff and is the current acting associate administrator for aviation safety, is joining NBAA in June to succeed Steve Brown as COO. Brown, who also has held leadership roles with the FAA, the National Aeronautic Association, and Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, is retiring after serving with NBAA for the past 18 years.

“It would be impossible to overstate Steve’s contributions to NBAA and aviation,” said NBAA president and CEO Bolen. “He represents all the very best our industry and country have to offer. He has had a profound impact on aviation in the United States and around the world.”

Before joining the FAA, Rocheleau served in the U.S. Air Force as an officer and special agent in the Office of Special Investigations and retired from the USAF Reserve in 2010 as a lieutenant colonel. He became one of the first leaders at the Transportation Security Administration, serving as manager of Intelligence Operations Watch, and then as senior policy advisor to the assistant administrator for transportation policy.

While at the FAA, he also has served as assistant administrator for policy, international affairs, and environment; executive director for international affairs; and director of the office of emergency operations and investigations.

As COO, Rocheleau will be responsible for NBAA’s activities surrounding aircraft and flight department operations, in addition to holding administrative, financial, and human resources functions.

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Chris to NBAA,” Bolen said. “He is enormously well respected on Capitol Hill, within the FAA, and all across the aviation industry. He is a proven leader and a true professional.”