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

Sept. 27, 2018

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today 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.

“We are honored to have these highly respected government leaders with us at this year’s NBAA-BACE,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “They will address a range of issues of interest to the industry, and we know attendees will appreciate hearing their perspectives and insights as we kick-off the show’s opening day.”

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.

Abraham was featured in the November/December 2017 edition of NBAA’s Business Aviation Insider magazine’s Capital View column where he discussed his passion for aviation and the importance of business aviation to his largely rural legislative district. Read the Capital View column.

NBAA-BACE is business aviation’s most important annual event, where participants have an unequaled opportunity to view the latest business aircraft, products, technology, and services the industry offers. Held this year at the Orange County Convention Center and Orlando Executive Airport, the event also offers a premier networking venue and dozens of educational sessions.