Program Directory

 
City Club of Cleveland - Marion Clifton Blakey - Federal Aviation Administration
City Club of Cleveland
 
 
 
Marion Clifton Blakey, 15th administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, will speak about the FAA's contract impasse with the air traffic controller's union, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association. The contract now sits with Congress, which has 60 days from early April to consider it.

As FAA administrator, Blakey is responsible for regulating and advancing the safety of the nation's airways as well as operating the world's largest air traffic control system. Prior to being named FAA Administrator, she served as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board.

During her tenure as chairman, Blakey managed a number of accident investigations, including the crash of American Airlines Flight 587. She worked to improve the Board's accident reporting process, increased industry and regulatory responsiveness to NTSB safety recommendations, and strengthened the Board's advocacy and outreach programs to promote safer travel throughout all modes of transportation. Blakey also furthered development of the NTSB Academy as a national and international resource to enhance aviation safety and accident investigations.

From 1992 to 1993, Blakey served as administrator of the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). As the nation's leading highway safety official, she was charged with reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. Prior to her service at NHTSA, she held key positions at the Department of Commerce, Department of Education, National Endowment for the Humanities, White House, and Department of Transportation.

From 1993 to 2001, Blakey was the principal of Blakey & Associates, now Blakey & Agnew, a Washington, DC public affairs consulting firm with a particular focus on transportation issues and traffic safety.
May 22, 2006