FAA'S Kate Lang Named 2011 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence Recipient
The Airport Consultants Council (ACC) is pleased to announce the selection of Catherine (Kate) M. Lang, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports, as recipient of the 2011 ACC Aviation Award of Excellence. This prestigious award acknowledges her skillful advocacy for a safe and efficient aviation system during some of the most challenging economic dynamics in history. It also recognizes her consistent respect for and openness to the opinions of private sector technical experts, and her long-term commitment to the aviation industry. The award will be presented on November 8, 2011 during the ACC Annual Conference & Exposition in Palm Springs, CA.
For over two years during fiscal years 2009 through 2011, Lang served as Acting Associate Administrator for Airports, where she was responsible for distributing economic recovery stimulus funds and obligating FAA capital improvement grants in the midst of an unprecedented number of short-term FAA funding extensions. She is universally admired for her knowledge of airports, and within the FAA is respected for her fresh vision of where the agency and its programs should focus.
"Kate's ability to grasp complex strategic and technical issues, communicate them in understandable terms and establish a sound, productive path forward is remarkable," says ACC President, Paula Hochstetler. "She has worked tirelessly with airports and aviation associations including the ACC, to expedite FAA-funded projects and to remove obstacles that would have otherwise hindered their success."
Before assuming the position of Deputy Associate Administrator for Airports in 2003, Lang served as the FAA Office of Airport Planning and Programming Director for almost four years and as Deputy Director for two years. Prior to that Lang was Chief of Staff to FAA Deputy Administrator Linda Daschle and served as Assistant Manager for the Policy and Systems Analysis Division of the Office of Aviation Policy and Plans. Before joining the FAA in 1992, Lang was with the City of Chicago as Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Aviation. She received a B.A. from Briar Cliff College and an M.P.S. from Loyola University of Chicago. She currently serves on the Transportation Research Board's Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP) Oversight Committee and is FAA's Liaison to the Aero Club of Washington Board of Governors.
The Aviation Award of Excellence is presented annually to honor the extraordinary contributions of an individual, group or organization to the airport and aviation industry that are visionary and innovative, have advanced the industry and have served the general public good. The lifetime achievements of the recipients are also considered.