Agency Needs Solid Leader At A Critical Time

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed the announcement made by President Trump to appoint Chris Rocheleau as Acting Administrator of the FAA, coming at a crucial moment while the agency grapples with the mid-air collision of an American Eagle passenger jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter near the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, outside of Washington, D.C.

President Trump made the announcement during a White House press briefing on January 30, 2025. Rocheleau will serve until a permanent administrator is nominated and confirmed by the Senate.

Ed Bolen, NBAA President and CEO said, “Chris is an outstanding leader who will be good for the FAA, good for aviation and good for the country, especially at this challenging time. He has demonstrated excellence at every level in the government, military and aviation industry.”

Rocheleau’s experience will serve him well and comes at the right time for the FAA. For the past three years, he served as COO of the NBAA, and before that held several positions with the FAA for over 20 years. He was acting associate administrator for aviation safety, chief of staff, assistant administrator for policy, international affairs and environment, executive director for international affairs, and director of the office of emergency operations and investigations.

Bolen added, “The call to public service resounds deeply with Chris. We recognize and appreciate his readiness to once again serve his country, and we wish him all our best.”

Prior to joining the FAA, Rocheleau was an officer and special agent with the U.S. Air Force and retired from the USAF Reserve as a lieutenant colonel.

Rocheleau has a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Public Administration from City University of Seattle. He also completed the Executive National Security Program at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, the USAF Air Command and Staff College, and the Corporate Aviation Program at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.

FMI:  nbaa.org/