Michael Huerta

Michael Huerta served as Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from 2013 to 2018. He joined the agency in 2010 as Deputy Administrator. He currently is a public company board member, and a consultant advising clients in the aviation and aerospace sectors.

During his FAA tenure, Huerta redefined the FAA’s regulatory relationship with the aviation industry to achieve greater levels of safety through increased collaboration and widespread sharing of data. He led the agency’s efforts to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system while preparing the way for the safe integration of commercial space operations and small unmanned aircraft systems. He is also well known for eliminating the decades old ban on the use portable electronic devices aboard airplanes during takeoff and landing, making it possible to use many devices from gate to gate.

Prior to joining the FAA, Huerta served in executive positions at Affiliated Computer Services, Inc., the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Port of San Francisco and the New York City Department of Ports, International Trade and Commerce.

Huerta holds a BA from the University of California, Riverside and an MPA from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.