Graham, Edwards Get Senate Nods for NTSB, DOT Posts

The U.S. Senate approved a slate of four dozen administration appointments on Monday, including Daniel Edwards as assistant secretary of aviation and international affairs and Michael Graham for another five-year term as a member of the NTSB. The 46-to-43 en bloc approval on Monday followed a procedural vote last week to clear the way for floor action.

The reappointment of Graham comes after the White House named him vice chairman of the NTSB, filling a slot vacated last year after the White House ousted Alvin Brown from the safety agency. A former naval aviator, Graham joined the Safety Board in January 2020 after serving as director of flight operations safety, security, and standardization at Textron Aviation and as chair of the Air Charter Safety Foundation.

 A former U.S. Air Force aviator, Edwards had been principal deputy assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs and, before that, served as CEO of maintenance, repair, and overhaul businesses, along with supply chain and distribution.

Their appointments were widely welcomed in the aviation industry. GAMA president and CEO James Viola, noting the importance of the roles to the industry, said Edwards “has a keen understanding of the issues and policies that are important to innovation and the advancement of the general aviation industry.” He also noted Graham’s “deep knowledge of aviation that is well respected within the industry.”

Others expressed similar sentiments. NATA president and CEO Curt Castagna praised Edwards for demonstrating a strong understanding of the aviation sector and having “a commitment to sound, practical policy that reflects the real-world needs of general and business aviation.”

NBAA president and CEO Ed Bolen, meanwhile, added Graham’s “longstanding commitment to aviation safety makes him exceptionally well-suited to continue in this critical role.”