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.

FMI: www.faa.gov, http://www.fulbright.com