U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced Friday the appointment of 30 board members to the new Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB).
Former U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson will serve as the board’s chair. Wilson, a U.S. Air Force Academy graduate, currently serves as the president of the University of Texas at El Paso. Additionally, Wilson has served as the U.S. Representative for New Mexico’s 1st District. Wilson obtained her master’s and doctoral degrees from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
“Women are underrepresented in aviation, and I look forward to working with Secretary Chao, the FAA, and the advisory board to develop strategies that will encourage more women to consider careers in the aviation industry,” Wilson said.
The WIAAB was created in October 2019 under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018. Its purpose is to develop strategies and recommendations to encourage women and girls to enter into aviation by assessing the education, training, mentorship, outreach, and recruitment of women in the industry.
“The Department welcomes Dr. Heather Wilson and these accomplished advisory board members, who share a commitment and passion for encouraging women to access opportunities in aviation,” Chao said.
Board members were chosen from a list of over 200 applicants who were nominated in October 2019. They include representatives from major airlines and aerospace companies, nonprofit organizations within the aviation industry, aviation and engineering business associations, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, and institutions of higher education and aviation trade schools.
Members are appointed for the duration of the board’s existence, which is estimated to be a minimum of two years.