Aerospace Industries Association
Marion C Blakey
President and Chief Executive Officer
Aerospace Industries Association
Marion C. Blakey is president and chief executive officer of the Aerospace Industries Association. AIA represents the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, space systems, aircraft engines, missiles, materiel and related components, equipment services and information technology.
Ms. Blakey became the eighth full-time chief executive of the association in 2007. Before that, she served a five-year term as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
As FAA administrator, Blakey regulated the nation’s airways as well as operated the world's largest air traffic control system managing 44,000 employees and a $14 billion budget. During her tenure, the traveling public experienced the safest period for air travel in the United States' history. She also was a tireless safety advocate internationally. Blakey instituted solid business practices at the agency that resulted in more than 97 percent of the agency's major programs coming in on time and on budget. Under her leadership, she launched NextGen − the shift toward a satellite-based system that will modernize air transportation and decrease delays.
Prior to being named FAA Administrator, Blakey served as chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. During her tenure as chairman, she led a number of accident investigations, including the 2001 crash of American Airlines flight 587 dealing with both the highly technical aspects of the investigation as well as the highly charged public interest in the accident.
Blakey improved the Board's accident reporting process and strengthened its advocacy and outreach programs to promote safer travel throughout all modes of transportation. She also furthered development of the NTSB Academy as a national and international resource to enhance aviation safety and accident investigations.
Including her service at the FAA and NTSB, Blakey has held six presidential appointments, four of which required Senate confirmation. From 1992 to 1993, Blakey served as administrator of the Transportation Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which regulates the automobile industry. As the nation's leading highway safety official, she was charged with reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes. Prior to her service at NHTSA, she held key positions at the Department of Commerce, the Department of Education, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the White House and the Department of Transportation.
From 1993 to 2001, Blakey was the principal of Blakey & Associates, now Blakey & Agnew, a Washington, D.C. public affairs consulting firm with a particular focus on transportation issues and traffic safety.
Born in Gadsden, Ala., Blakey received her bachelor's degree with honors in international studies from Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia. She also attended Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies for graduate work in Middle East Affairs. She is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and has received a number of honorary degrees and awards.
Positions:
Member, AIA Board of Governors
Member, NASA Advisory Council
Fellow, Royal Aeronautical Society
Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents the nation’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial systems, space systems, aircraft engines, materiel, and related components, equipment services, and information technology.