Randy Babbitt

Jerome Randolph “Randy” Babbitt,(born June 9, 1946) is an American businessman and former government official. He served as Administrator of theFederal Aviation Administration(FAA) from 2009 to 2011.

Randy Babbitt
16thAdministrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
In office June 1, 2009 – December 6, 2011
President	Barack Obama
Preceded by	Lynne Osmus(Acting)
Succeeded by	Michael Huerta
Personal details
Born	Jerome Randolph Babbitt (1946-06-09)June 9, 1946 Miami, Florida,U.S.

After leaving the FAA, he was later hired bySouthwest Airlinesin 2012 as Vice President of Labor Relations, a position he retired from in 2016.

Early life and education

Babbitt was born in 1946 inMiamiand raised inFlorida.He attended theUniversity of Georgiaand theUniversity of Miamibefore becoming an airline pilot, flying forEastern Air Linesfor 25 years.

Babbitt's father, "Slim" Babbitt, was also an airline pilot; he was one of the founding members of theAir Line Pilots Association(ALPA), which has become the largest airline pilot union in the United States and Canada.

Career

Randy Babbitt served multiple roles within ALPA, including Executive Administrator from 1987 to 1990. In 1990 Babbitt was elected President of ALPA and served for eight years in that position.

After leaving ALPA, Babbitt formed an airline management and financial consulting firm inReston, Virginia,Eclat Consulting.In September 2007 the personnel of this company were merged into the Aircraft Management division ofOliver Wyman.

Federal Aviation Administration

During the Clinton Administration, PresidentBill Clintonappointed Babbitt to the FAA Management Advisory Council. While in that capacity Babbitt sat on an independent review panel advising the government on aviation safety policy.

PresidentBarack Obamaformally nominated Babbitt to become the FAA Administrator on March 27, 2009.Babbitt's nomination was confirmed by theUS Senateon May 21, 2009; he was sworn in on June 1.Babbitt succeededRobert SturgellandLynne Osmus,who had both served as Acting FAA Administrator sinceMarion Blakey's term expired in 2007. Babbitt's FAA term was five years.

Drunk driving arrest and resignation

Babbitt was arrested December 3, 2011, inFairfax City, Virginia,and charged withdriving under the influence of alcohol.Babbitt was about 9 miles from hisReston, Virginiahome when an officer alleged that he drove on the wrong side of the road. Fairfax police issued a press release December 5, in accordance with a department policy of announcing arrests of public officials.Obama administrationofficials did not learn about the arrest until they saw the press release.

The day the press release was published, Babbitt requested a leave of absence, which Transportation SecretaryRay LaHoodgranted.Michael Huerta,Babbitt's deputy, immediately took Babbitt's responsibilities. Babbitt resigned as FAA administrator the next day, December 6.

Babbitt's drunk driving charge was dismissed May 10, 2012, after a Fairfax City judge found that the arresting officer had no good reason, only a "mere hunch," for pulling Babbitt over. A video of the arrest played in court showed that Babbitt had not, in fact, driven in the wrong direction. Babbitt's lawyer challenged the methodology of the alcohol breath test. An initial test showed a.07% blood-alcohol level, which is below the legal limit. The officer then tested Babbitt again until he got a.08% reading—something police are not allowed to do.After the dismissal, Babbitt said he planned to work in aviation consulting.

Later career

He was later hired in October 2012 asSouthwest Airlines' Vice President of Labor Relations. On August 23, 2016, he announced his retirement from Southwest.

External links

• Presidential papers in theALPA President’s Department Recordsat theWalter P. Reuther Library.
• AppearancesonC-SPAN