Chris Rocheleau, the deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, is stepping down to return to his former lobbying job at the National Business Aviation Association, marking another senior departure from the agency amid ongoing aviation safety debates.
Rocheleau, who served as acting FAA administrator for the first half of last year, will become the NBAA's chief operating officer. He previously held that same role from 2022 until President Trump tapped him to lead the FAA in January 2025, just hours after the deadly midair collision over the Potomac River that killed all 67 people aboard American Airlines Flight 5342 and an Army Black Hawk helicopter.
In a farewell letter to colleagues, Rocheleau called his return to the agency a "true privilege" and highlighted his tenure's focus on integrating artificial intelligence to improve safety and launching the Modern Skies Coalition to overhaul the air traffic control system. He noted, "While I may be leaving the agency, I am even more excited about what lies ahead for the FAA."
Rocheleau's departure comes as the FAA continues to face scrutiny over oversight and modernization. His background includes two decades at the agency before his first stint at the NBAA, with a mid-2000s interruption for a role at the then-new Transportation Security Administration.
NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen welcomed Rocheleau back, praising his "deep commitment to service" and "trusted relationships with top leaders throughout government and industry." The association represents 10,000 companies and professionals using business aircraft.
The move echoes broader patterns of senior officials cycling between regulatory agencies and the industries they oversee. Rocheleau's return to lobbying comes as other Trump appointees also exit for private-sector roles, raising questions about continuity in federal leadership.
Rocheleau's acting administrator appointment occurred against the backdrop of the worst U.S. aviation disaster in over 25 years, which intensified demands for stronger safety protocols and transparency in government accountability. He moved to the deputy role once Bryan Bedford took over as permanent FAA administrator in July 2025.
In his letter, Rocheleau expressed confidence in the FAA's trajectory, saying he looks forward to seeing the agency continue to modernize the aerospace system and safely integrate next-generation aircraft. His exit leaves a vacancy at the second-highest post in an agency grappling with technological shifts and heightened public expectations.
