Robert A. Sturgell
Robert A. Sturgell is the Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Appointed to the position on September 14, 2007 by President George W. Bush, he has yet to be 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 and received his law degree from the University of Virginia. 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 757s and 767s 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).