Robert A. Sturgell
Encyclopedia
Robert A. Sturgell is a former Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA), having served from September 14, 2007 to January 15, 2009. Appointed to the position on September 14, 2007 by President
George W. Bush
, he was never confirmed by the United States Senate
. Prior to his appointment, he had served as Deputy Administrator of the FAA since 2003.
Sturgell has been a pilot
in both civilian and military capacities. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1982 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. He served as an instructor for the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School
before retiring as a Commander
, having flown the F-14, F-16, and F-18.
After his military career, he became a flight operations supervisor and line pilot for United Airlines
, flying Boeing
757
s and 767
s on domestic and international routes. He also practiced aviation law in the Washington, D.C.
area, and served as senior policy adviser at the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB).
In 1998, Sturgell attempted to unseat Maryland Senate majority leader Democrat
Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
in the 27th legislative district. He was defeated 69% to 31%.
On February 10, 2008 two Democratic United States Senators blocked the nomination of Robert Sturgell citing dissatisfaction with FAA Safety oversight and the agency's handling of claims of under staffing of air traffic controller
s. This procedural maneuver prevented the full Senate from voting on the appointment. Although Sturgell blamed the Block on the NY/NY/PHL Airspace Redesign, Senator Frank Lautenberg
of New Jersey had more pointed concerns.
Senator Lautenberg, said in a subsequent press release "Mr. Sturgell helped create the policies that left our air traffic controllers overworked and understaffed, our runways in dangerous condition, more air noise on our communities and the worst flight delays in our history. It's time for President Bush to nominate an Administrator who solves transportation problems, rather than creating more of them."
Bobby Sturgell is senior vice president of Washington Operations for Rockwell Collins. Sturgell's responsibilities include developing and implementing the company's governmental, regulatory, legislative and industrial affairs strategies, and maintaining relationships with Congressional members, staff and other administration officials. He was named to this position in April 2009.
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA), having served from September 14, 2007 to January 15, 2009. Appointed to the position on September 14, 2007 by President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
, he was never confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. Prior to his appointment, he had served as Deputy Administrator of the FAA since 2003.
Sturgell has been a pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
in both civilian and military capacities. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1982 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia Law School. He served as an instructor for the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School
United States Navy Fighter Weapons School
The United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program , more popularly known as TOPGUN, is the modern-day evolution of the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School which was originally established on March 3, 1969 at the former Naval Air Station Miramar in California...
before retiring as a Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
, having flown the F-14, F-16, and F-18.
After his military career, he became a flight operations supervisor and line pilot for United Airlines
United Airlines
United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees United Air Lines, Inc., is the world's largest airline with 86,852 employees (which includes the entire holding company United Continental...
, flying Boeing
Boeing
The Boeing Company is an American multinational aerospace and defense corporation, founded in 1916 by William E. Boeing in Seattle, Washington. Boeing has expanded over the years, merging with McDonnell Douglas in 1997. Boeing Corporate headquarters has been in Chicago, Illinois since 2001...
757
Boeing 757
The Boeing 757 is a mid-size, narrow-body twin-engine jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Passenger versions of the twinjet have a capacity of 186 to 289 persons and a maximum range of , depending on variant and cabin configuration...
s and 767
Boeing 767
The Boeing 767 is a mid-size, wide-body twin-engine jet airliner built by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. It was the manufacturer's first wide-body twinjet and its first airliner with a two-crew glass cockpit. The aircraft features two turbofan engines, a supercritical wing, and a conventional tail...
s on domestic and international routes. He also practiced aviation law in the Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
area, and served as senior policy adviser at the National Transportation Safety Board
National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation. In this role, the NTSB investigates and reports on aviation accidents and incidents, certain types of highway crashes, ship and marine...
(NTSB).
In 1998, Sturgell attempted to unseat Maryland Senate majority leader Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
Thomas V. Mike Miller, Jr.
Thomas V. "Mike" Miller, Jr. is the current president of the Maryland Senate. He has served as president since January 1987, and has been a state senator representing the 27th District since 1975....
in the 27th legislative district. He was defeated 69% to 31%.
On February 10, 2008 two Democratic United States Senators blocked the nomination of Robert Sturgell citing dissatisfaction with FAA Safety oversight and the agency's handling of claims of under staffing of air traffic controller
Air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers are the people who expedite and maintain a safe and orderly flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. The position of the air traffic controller is one that requires highly specialized skills...
s. This procedural maneuver prevented the full Senate from voting on the appointment. Although Sturgell blamed the Block on the NY/NY/PHL Airspace Redesign, Senator Frank Lautenberg
Frank Lautenberg
Frank Raleigh Lautenberg is the senior United States Senator from New Jersey and a member of the Democratic Party. Previously, he was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Automatic Data Processing, Inc.-Early life, career, and family:...
of New Jersey had more pointed concerns.
Senator Lautenberg, said in a subsequent press release "Mr. Sturgell helped create the policies that left our air traffic controllers overworked and understaffed, our runways in dangerous condition, more air noise on our communities and the worst flight delays in our history. It's time for President Bush to nominate an Administrator who solves transportation problems, rather than creating more of them."
Bobby Sturgell is senior vice president of Washington Operations for Rockwell Collins. Sturgell's responsibilities include developing and implementing the company's governmental, regulatory, legislative and industrial affairs strategies, and maintaining relationships with Congressional members, staff and other administration officials. He was named to this position in April 2009.