NBAA Welcomes FAA Acting Administrator Elwell and U.S. Rep. Abraham as Day 1 Keynote Speakers at NBAA-BACE

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) announced that FAA Acting Administrator Dan Elwell and U.S. Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-5-LA) will be Day 1 Keynote speakers at NBAA’s Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), taking place Oct. 16-18 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

Elwell oversees the FAA’s $16.4 billion-dollar budget and more than 47,000 employees, as well as the agency’s ongoing, multibillion-dollar Next Generation (“NextGen”) air traffic control modernization.

Prior to serving as acting administrator, Elwell was deputy administrator of the FAA. From 2013-2015, he served as senior vice president for safety, security and operations at Airlines for America (A4A), and prior to A4A, Elwell was vice president of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) from 2008-2013.

Elwell was a commercial pilot for 16 years with American Airlines. He earned his pilot license at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs. Lt. Col. Elwell retired from military service as a command pilot with more than 6,000 hours combined civilian and military flight time in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Air Force Reserve, including combat service during Operation Desert Storm.

Abraham, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, is a doctor, and has also been a veterinarian, farmer and rancher. He was a first lieutenant with the 20th SFG Airborne Division of the Army National Guard from 1986-1989. Additionally, he is a fixed-wing and helicopter pilot who flies reconnaissance missions for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and is a certified flight instructor. He also is a mission pilot for the Air Force's Civil Air Patrol Green Flag Program.