Michael Gordon Whitaker(born June 21, 1961)[1]is an American lawyer who served as the 19th administrator of theFederal Aviation Administration(FAA) from 2023 to 2025. He previously served as chief operating officer ofSupernalunder the Hyundai Motor Company from 2020 to 2023, as principal of the aviation consultancy Whitaker Air Space from 2016 to 2020, and as deputy administrator of FAA from 2013 to 2016.
Mike Whitaker | |
|---|---|
 Whitaker in 2023 | |
| 19th Administrator of theFederal Aviation Administration | |
| In office October 27, 2023 – January 20, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Deputy | Katie Thomson |
| Preceded by | Polly Trottenberg(acting) Stephen Dickson |
| Succeeded by | Chris Rocheleau(acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 21, 1961 San Antonio,Texas, U.S.[1] |
| Education | University of Louisville(BA) Georgetown University(JD) |
Education
editWhitaker studied at theUniversity of LouisvilleinKentuckyfrom 1979 to 1982 and from 1983 to 1984, with one year study-abroad at theUniversite de MontpellierinFrancefrom 1982 to 1983.[2]He received aBachelor of Artsdegree with majors in political science and French from the University of Louisville in 1984.[3][4][2]He studied at theGeorgetown University Law Centerfrom 1984 to 1987, and received aJuris Doctordegree in 1987.[5][2]
He won a Louis C. Kesselman Endowment Award in 1982 from the Department of Political Science at the University of Louisville as an undergraduate student.[6]
Career
editWhitaker began his aviation career as a litigator, then as assistant general counsel of international and regulatory affairs atTrans World Airlines(TWA).[5]He spent 15 years atUnited Airlinesin a variety of roles as director, vice president and senior vice president.[5]His portfolio at the airline included commercial alliances and joint ventures, international and regulatory affairs, and strategic counsel to the chairman and chief executive officer on international matters.[5]Whitaker served as Group CEO ofInterGlobe Enterprises.[5]There, he oversaw strategy and operations for four affiliate travel companies.[5]
Whitaker served as deputy administrator at the Federal Aviation Administration from 2013 to 2016.[5]There, he collaborated with industry and government to drive the transition of the nation’s air traffic control system from radar to a satellite-enabled surveillance technology (ADS-B).[5]After leaving the FAA, he served as principal of the aviation consultancy Whitaker Air Space from 2016 to 2020.[2]
From 2020 to 2023,[2]he served as the chief operating officer ofSupernal,a Hyundai Motor Group company designing an electric advanced air mobility (AAM) vehicle.[5]Whitaker is a private pilot. He serves on the board of theFlight Safety Foundation.[5]On September 7, 2023, U.S. presidentJoe Bidennominated him to serve as the administrator of the FAA.[7]On October 24, 2023, theUnited States Senateconfirmed his nomination by a 98–0 vote.[7]Whitaker was sworn in by SecretaryPete Buttigiegon October 27, 2023.[8]On January 20, 2025, he resigned as FAA administrator after announcing his intention to resign in December 2024.[9]
References
edit- ^ab"Senate Commerce Committee Nomination Questionnaire".Archivedfrom the original on October 4, 2023.RetrievedOctober 27,2023.
- ^abcde"41923AE7-000A-4593-9711-557D87CB1B11".United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2024.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
- ^"Michael G. Whitaker – Volpe Center".Volpe National Transportation Systems Center.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2024.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
- ^"Michael Whitaker | Federal Aviation Administration".Federal Aviation Administration.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2024.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
- ^abcdefghij"President Biden Announces Michael G. Whitaker as Nominee for Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration".The White House.September 7, 2023.Archivedfrom the original on October 25, 2023.RetrievedOctober 25,2023.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.
- ^"Louis C. Kesselman Endowment Award — Department of Political Science".louisville.edu.Archivedfrom the original on October 2, 2024.RetrievedOctober 2,2024.
- ^abDuncan, Ian (October 24, 2023)."Senate confirms new FAA administrator, filling a role vacant for 18 months".Washington Post.Archivedfrom the original on October 27, 2023.RetrievedOctober 24,2023.
- ^Davis, Jeff (October 27, 2023)."FAA Administrator Whitaker Confirmed, Sworn In".Eno Center for Transportation.Archivedfrom the original on October 27, 2023.RetrievedOctober 27,2023.
- ^Rose, Joel (December 12, 2024)."FAA chief Mike Whitaker announces that he will step down in January".npr.org.
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