The FAA's crisis manager is heading back to NBAA

The National Business Aviation Association is welcoming back an executive who spent the past year and a half at the center of the nation’s most challenging transportation problems as head of the FAA. Christopher J. Rocheleau will reprise his role as NBAA chief operating officer, a position he held until President Trump named him acting FAA administrator in January 2025.”We are thrilled to welcome Chris back to NBAA, where he will build upon his record of success in leading a senior team charged with ensuring that the organization delivers excellence to the business aviation community,” said association President and CEO Ed Bolen.His time at the FAA was defined by challenges from almost the moment he arrived. Just days into the job, a U.S. Army helicopter and a regional airliner collided near Reagan National, and Rocheleau managed the aftermath while launching a nationwide review of collision risk in congested airspace. He worked hand in hand with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to accelerate air traffic controller hiring, targeting the staffing shortages that have plagued the industry for years.Rocheleau stayed on as deputy administrator following Bryan Bedford’s July 2025 confirmation, where he helped push initiatives that included the Brand New Air Traffic Control System along with the recently implemented MOSAIC program, which stands to reshape the light-sport aircraft market. He also was involved in the eVTOL integration pilot program.Back at NBAA, Rocheleau’s duties will include overseeing aircraft operations along with the association’s administrative, financial, technical, and human resources functions. Bolen pointed to his “trusted relationships with top leaders throughout government and industry” as the qualification that matters most.Why it matters to NBAA membersNBAA has a symbiotic relationship with Washington, and Rocheleau’s experience on both sides of the fence makes him uniquely qualified to represent operators’ interests where they matter most.For owners and operators, the rehire is a show of confidence and continuity. A direct line to the people shaping airspace and certification policy is no small advantage. It’s an added bonus that the programs he helped start at the FAA are the same ones that will define how the next generation of aircraft gets certified and flown.