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.

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