Delta Air Lines’ board of directors today announced Michael Huerta as its newest member, effective immediately. 

Mr. Huerta recently completed a five-year term as Administrator of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. As head of the FAA, he was responsible for the safety and efficiency of civil aviation in the U.S.

“Michael’s deep aviation and broader transportation industry experience will be a great asset to Delta,” said Frank Blake, Delta’s non-executive Chairman of the Board.

Before being named as Administrator, Mr. Huerta served as Acting Administrator of the FAA from 2011 to 2013 and FAA Deputy Administrator from 2010 to 2011. Throughout his career, he has held key transportation industry roles in both the public and private sectors. Before joining the FAA, Mr. Huertaa was President of the Transportation Solutions Group at Affiliated Computer Services (now Conduent), and prior to that, he held senior positions in the U.S. Department of Transportation in Washington, D.C.  Mr. Huerta served as Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco from 1989 to 1993, and was Commissioner of New York City’s Department of Ports, International Trade and Commerce from 1986 to 1989. He was recently appointed as Senior Advisor to Macquarie Capital.

Mr. Huerta earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California-Riverside and a Master’s in Public Affairs with a concentration in international relations from Princeton University.