In a stunning revelation about the agency whose motto is “We’re not happy until you’re not happy” – there have been no accusations brought against Daniel K. Elwell since he took the reigns of the FAA in June 2017. Breaking from the new normal under President Trump, Elwell is extraordinarily well qualified for his position.
Elwell was appointed to his role by Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao, a Donald Trump appointee herself, who is of course under investigation for ethical violations just like all members of Trump’s cabinet. Choa is married to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
The administrator spent 16 years as a pilot for American Airlines on the DC-10, MD-80, and B-757/767 aircraft. While an MD80 captain, he also served as managing director for international and government affairs at American. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Elwell retired from the Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel with more than 6,000 hours of combined civilian and military flight time in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Air Force Reserve, including combat service during Operation Desert Storm.
The Administrator previously served as FAA Assistant Administrator for Policy, Planning and Environment from 2006-2008. From 2013 to 2015, Elwell was senior vice president for safety, security and operations at Airlines for America (A4A). Elwell was also vice president of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) from 2008-2013
This is a developing story and if Elwell is ever accused of anything, this article will be updated; however, it appears that won’t be happening anytime soon.
