Denver – Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper applauded President Joe Biden’s nomination of Phil Washington to serve as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator. Washington’s nomination will require confirmation by the U.S. Senate, including approval by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
“President Biden could not have made a better choice in nominating Phil Washington to run the FAA. Phil has served Colorado extremely well, and I’m confident he will lead the FAA with integrity,” said Bennet.
“Phil Washington will bring an organizational discipline to the FAA during this time of stress and challenge. He has translated his successful military career into a level of operational competence rare in any industry sector. He will do great things in his new role,” said Hickenlooper.
The FAA is responsible for the safety of civil aviation in the U.S. and is the largest transportation agency overseen by the Department of Transportation. As FAA Administrator, Washington will manage an $18.5 billion budget, oversee roughly 45,000 employees, and lead the FAA’s implementation of the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Washington is currently the CEO of Denver International Airport. From 2015-2021, Washington was CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority. For 15 years prior, Washington worked for Colorado’s Regional Transportation District (RTD), where he served as CEO from 2009-2015. While at RTD, Washington contributed to the Denver Metro FasTracks public transit plan, the largest voter-approved transportation expansion program in the country.
Washington also served in the United States Army for 24 years, stationed at Fort Carson and rising to the rank of Command Sergeant Major.