Appointee Brings 30 Years Experience In Aviation Law
On Friday, Secretary of
Transportation Mary E. Peters announced Kerry B. Long has been
appointed by President George W. Bush to serve as chief counsel for
the Federal Aviation Administration. As chief counsel for the FAA,
Long will serve as top legal advisor to FAA Administrator Marion
Blakey, overseeing a staff of 258 employees located in Washington
and 11 field offices.
In his new role, Long (right) will be responsible for all
aspects of the FAA's legal work -- including the agency's
regulatory program, administrative and judicial litigation,
nationwide enforcement activities, legislation and legal relations
with foreign civil aviation authorities. Long will also provide
extensive legal support for the FAA's procurement, airports and
ethics compliance programs.
"It is vital that we have the best and brightest as we move
forward with the FAA's aggressive plan to transform the aviation
system to meet future demands" said Blakey in a release to ANN.
"The experience he brings to the table makes Kerry Long an
excellent addition to the FAA."
Long describes himself as aviation enthusiast. He has served as
partner for some of the nation's top aviation law firms, most
recently as a partner at Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. in
Washington since March 2001.
"Since Fulbright's beginnings, public service has been a
cornerstone," Long said. "I am humbled to have the opportunity to
continue that tradition of service in the Bush administration."
"The FAA has gained a great lawyer with tremendous judgment who
is capable of handling the most challenging of issues," said James
D. Tussing, the head of Fulbright's Equipment Finance Practice
Group. "Kerry's work for Fulbright's clients has involved many
complex legal matters related to the airline industry and prepared
him well for one of the most demanding legal jobs in
Washington."
Long received his law degree magna cum laude in May 1980 from
Cornell Law School in Ithaca, New York, and his undergraduate
degree at Colgate University in Hamilton, New York in 1972. Prior
to his legal career, he was a lieutenant in the US Navy, serving
from September 1972 to August 1977. Long was a member of the
Aircraft Financing Subcommittee of the American Bar Association
Section of Business Law and is listed in the Guide to the World's
Leading Aviation Lawyers.