By ALYSSA ROSENBERG, Government Executive
Employee and industry groups have expressed support for Randy Babbitt, President Obama's choice to head the Federal Aviation Administration.
An aviation consultant and former head of the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA), Babbitt has worked for unions and company management -- experience that has won him the trust of both employee groups and management organizations.
"The FAA needs a leader who is respected by all elements of the aviation industry and who understands the critical importance of front-line aviation workers," said Edward Wytkind, president of the transportation trades division of the AFL-CIO. "Randy Babbitt's nomination answers this call."
Babbitt began his career as a pilot for Eastern Airlines and later became chief executive officer of ALPA, before leaving to create his own consulting company. Babbitt is currently a partner at international management consulting firm Oliver Wyman, where he specializes in advising airlines and workers' unions during restructurings and mergers.
His experience also includes working with FAA on a number of issues. During the George W. Bush administration, Babbitt served on the FAA Management Advisory Council, which helps the agency's administrator make decisions about policy, regulatory and budgetary issues. In addition, he was a member of a 2008 commission that examined how to foster a stronger culture of safety within FAA.
Former FAA Administrator Marion Blakey, now president of the Aerospace Industries Association, said Babbitt's varied perspectives as a pilot, union leader and management consultant make him uniquely well-equipped to tackle the agency's significant challenges.
