NATA and NBAA Welcome Senate Confirmation of Dan Edwards as DOT Assistant Secretary

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) and the National Air Transportation Association (NATA) welcome the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Daniel J. Edwards as the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs, and Michael Graham for another five-year term on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The Senate approved Edwards and Graham in a vote on a wider package of nominees for various positions in the Trump administration.  

“NBAA congratulates Daniel Edwards on his confirmation and looks forward to collaborating with him as he steps fully into this position,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “We also congratulate Mike Graham on his confirmation to an additional term on the NTSB. His longstanding commitment to aviation safety makes him exceptionally well-suited to continue in this critical role.”

“NATA commends Dan on his Senate confirmation and looks forward to continuing to work with him in his role at DOT on policies that support a safe, efficient, and accessible aviation system,” said NATA President and CEO Curt Castagna. “Through our ongoing engagement, Dan has demonstrated a strong understanding of our aviation sector and a commitment to sound, practical policy that reflects the real-world needs of general and business aviation. We also value his continued service at FAA Airports and the perspective he brings to aviation infrastructure issues that are important to NATA members.”

Edwards has been serving as the DOT’s principal deputy assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs and was previously the CEO of privately held businesses in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.

He served over 23 years in the United States Air Force and USAF Reserves, as both a KC-10 pilot and airfield civil engineer. He has flown more than 100 combat missions, holds type ratings in the DC-10 and 757/767 and has accumulated over 4,000 flight hours as both a military and commercial pilot.

Graham currently serves as vice chair of the NTSB. His new term will end Dec. 31, 2030.

Prior to joining the NTSB in 2020, Graham worked for more than 20 years at Textron Aviation as the company’s director of flight operations safety, security and standardization, and in other roles. While at the company, he served on NBAA’s Safety Committee.  

Graham began his aviation career flying A-7s and F/A-18s for the U.S. Navy. He later worked for McDonnell Douglas and Boeing as an F/A-18 aircrew instructor and avionics integration engineer. 

He is a certified airline transport pilot with 10,000 flight hours and is type rated in six different Citation models. Graham earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico.

“NATA has had the pleasure of working with Member Graham in the past and looks forward to continuing that partnership in support of the NTSB’s important safety mission,” stated Castagna. “The continuity of his service is especially important as the NTSB carries on the critical work it has undertaken over the past year and a half. The Board’s mission is essential to continuous safety improvement across our sector, and Graham's aviation safety experience, industry perspective, and collaborative approach will continue to serve the Board and the broader aviation community well.”