SecTrans Mineta has nominated William Voss for the position of secretary-general of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Voss, formerly head of the terminal business service of the Federal Aviation Administration’s air traffic organization, currently serves as director of ICAO’s Air Navigation Bureau. ICAO’s member states are expected to elect the new secretary-general in March for a three-year term that will begin the following August.

“Bill Voss has built a track record of successfully working within the international aviation community to improve air safety throughout the globe,” said Secretary Mineta. “Bill has the experience, the ability and the respect needed to lead the international aviation community as it grapples with rapidly expanding demand for air travel worldwide over the coming years.”

Headquartered in Montreal, ICAO is a branch of the United Nations and plays a central, international role in coordinating aviation safety and technical standards with its nearly 200 member countries. The secretary-general is the chief executive officer for ICAO and secretary of the ICAO council and is responsible for the overall management of the organization and its seven regional offices’ operations.

Appointed to his current ICAO position in December 2003, Voss coordinates among ICAO’s member states on issues ranging from aircraft certification and airport standards to aviation communication, navigation, surveillance, and medical issues. During his term, Voss has moved the organization toward more regional safety oversight that augments limited resources in developing countries. He also has helped develop a global network to support the implementation of safety management systems that will improve safety while reducing burdensome regulatory costs. In harmonizing air traffic management across boundaries, Voss has directed the development of a global plan that integrates the critical performance needs of the world’s different regions.

Prior to his assignment to ICAO, Voss oversaw the development and implementation of the FAA’s major systems components that deliver integrated terminal air traffic control capabilities, as well as facility design, modernization and surveillance. From 1999 to 2001, Voss was FAA director for air traffic systems development and was responsible for the development and acquisition of major automation systems in the enroute, terminal, oceanic and weather centers. Voss began his FAA career in 1982 as air traffic controller at Detroit’s Wayne County Metro Airport.

Voss has a bachelor's degree in aviation maintenance and management from Lewis University in Illinois, as well as a master's degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.

FMI: www.icao.int