Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine August/September 2022 Digital Issue
WASHINGTON, DC – On July 7, 2022, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed the nomination of Phil Washington to be the next administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), noting the value of having a confirmed administrator for providing consistent leadership at the agency.
Washington has served as CEO of Denver International Airport (DEN) since July 2021. In 2009, he was named CEO of the Denver Regional Transportation District after serving as the public transportation service’s assistant general manager since 1999. He later led the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) from March 2015 to May 2021, overseeing an agency of 11,000 employees charged with transporting 1.2 million boarding bus and rail passengers daily.
Under Washington’s leadership, in 2021, Metro was named to the DiversityInc Top 50 Employer competition for the first time in the agency’s history. He has also been honored with the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation’s Eddy Award for outstanding leadership in economic development and the Coro Crystal Eagle Award for leadership.
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Washington would lead the FAA of 45,000 employees with an annual budget of $24 billion. Capt. Billy Nolen has served as the FAA’s Acting Administrator since April, following the retirement of previous administrator Steve Dickson.
Washington is a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Army, retiring from active duty with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He is a disabled veteran and was awarded the Defense Superior Service Medal, recognizing superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility.
In 2020 and 2021, Washington co-chaired the Biden/Harris Infrastructure Policy Committee and later led the Biden/Harris Transportation Transition Teams. He holds a B.A. in Business from Columbia College, an M.A. in Management from Webster University, and is a graduate of the Harvard University Kennedy School for Senior Executives in State and Local Government.
