On February 26, 2026, the Senate confirmed Ryan McCormack as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Under Secretary for Policy, a key leadership role helping shape DOT policy priorities that impact aviation businesses and day-to-day operations. NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna welcomed the confirmation, stating: “NATA congratulates Ryan McCormack on his Senate confirmation as DOT’s Under Secretary for Policy. With recent experience in DOT’s front office as Deputy Chief of Staff to Secretary Sean Duffy, along with a strong background on Capitol Hill and in federal economic policy, he brings a practical understanding of how Washington decisions translate into real-world operational impacts. For NATA members, that perspective is critical as DOT advances modernization initiatives and broader policy priorities that directly affect safety, efficiency, workforce, infrastructure, and the ability of aviation businesses to serve customers reliably. We look forward to working with Under Secretary McCormack and DOT leadership to ensure policy outcomes are workable, risk-reducing, and responsive to the needs of operators, airports, and the broader aviation community.”
On February 25, the Senate also confirmed John DeLeeuw to serve as a Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). As both a military and commercial pilot, DeLeeuw brings decades of operational aviation experience to his role at the NTSB—most recently as managing director of safety at American Airlines. Castagna noted that NATA looks forward to working with DeLeeuw in his new post, saying, “NATA congratulates Member John DeLeeuw on his Senate confirmation to the National Transportation Safety Board. With deep operational experience in airline flight operations and safety, he brings a practical, data-driven perspective that supports the NTSB’s critical mission of advancing transportation safety through independent investigation and actionable recommendations. We look forward to working with Member DeLeeuw and the full Board on issues that strengthen safety performance across the aviation ecosystem.”