GAMA Commends Senate on Confirmation of Key Transportation Safety Officials

Washington, DC — The General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) today applauded the U.S. Senate for confirming Robert Sumwalt III as the next National Transportation Safety Board (NSTB) Chairman, and David Pekoske as Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Since joining the Board in August 2006, Sumwalt has been a fierce advocate for improving safety in all modes of transportation. Before joining the NTSB, Sumwalt was a pilot for 32 years, accumulating over 14,000 flight hours. During his tenure at US Airways, he worked on a special assignment to the flight safety department, and served on the airline’s Flight Operational Quality Assurance monitoring team. Following his airline career, Sumwalt managed the corporate aviation department for a Fortune 500 energy company. He also chaired the Air Line Pilots Association’s Human Factors and Training Group, and co-founded the association’s critical incident response program as well as spending eight years as a consultant to NASA’s Aviation Safety Reporting System.

“We look forward to continuing our work with the NTSB with Chairman Sumwalt at its helm,” said President and CEO Pete Bunce. “Safety in all modes of the nation’s transportation system will reap great benefits from his expertise and experience. We are very proud there is another professional aviator leading the Board.”

David Pekoske is a former vice commandant for the U.S. Coast Guard, where he was second-in-command and chief operating officer. Prior to that, he was commander of Coast Guard Pacific Area and Coast Guard Defense Forces West. He’s been awarded the Homeland Security Distinguished Service Medal, Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and the Commandant’s Letter of Commendation Ribbon.

“GAMA looks forward to advancing general aviation security under Administrator Pekoske,” said Bunce. “We hope to continue work we began under former TSA Administrators to make current programs more effective and efficient, while maintaining the high-level of safety and security that all users of the system and the flying public deserve.”

For additional information, please contact Sarah McCann, GAMA Director of Communications, at +1 (202) 637-1375 or smccann@gama.aero.

GAMA is an international trade association representing over 100 of the world’s leading manufacturers of general aviation airplanes and rotorcraft, engines, avionics, components and related services. GAMA’s members also operate repair stations, fixed based operations, pilot and maintenance training facilities and manage fleets of aircraft. For more information, visit GAMA’s website at www.GAMA.aero.