NBAA Welcomes Hersman Nomination as NTSB Chair

WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen commends the Obama Administration for nominating Deborah A. P. Hersman as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

"NBAA applauds President Obama's nomination of Debbie Hersman as NTSB chair," says Bolen. "Debbie has a good understanding of business aviation; she knows that our industry has long recognized that safety is Job One, and that we are constantly working to build upon our already strong safety record. Debbie has always had an open door to NBAA and its members, and we have effectively partnered with her on a number of initiatives to enhance safety. We look forward to continuing our work with Debbie and her colleagues at the NTSB."

Hersman was sworn in as the 35th member of the NTSB on June 21, 2004. Since her appointment to the board, Hersman has been the member on scene at more than a dozen major transportation accidents, including several high-profile business aviation incidents. Before joining the NTSB, Hersman was a senior professional staff member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation from 1999 to 2004, where she was responsible for the legislative agenda and policy initiatives affecting surface transportation issues. Prior to that appointment, she served as staff director and senior legislative aide to Representative Bob Wise (D-WV-2) from 1992 to 1999.

Her nomination as NTSB chair is subject to approval by the U.S. Senate.

The March/April 2009 edition of NBAA's Business Aviation Insider features an interview with Hersman, and can be viewed by clicking here.