Daniel K. Elwell was appointed to serve as the FAA Assistant Administrator for Aviation Policy, Planning, and Environment, effective August 7, 2006.
Reporting directly to the FAA Administrator, Dan Elwell heads an office responsible for the agency's strategic policy and planning efforts and coordination of the agency's reauthorization before Congress. In addition, his office is responsible for national aviation policies and strategies in the environment and energy arenas, including aviation activity forecasts, economic analyses, aircraft noise and emissions research and policy, environmental policy, aviation insurance and employee safety and health.
Mr. Elwell came to the FAA from American Airlines where he served as Managing Director of International and Government Affairs since October, 2002. At American Airlines, Mr. Elwell was the corporate representative and consultant to Departments of Transportation and State on bilateral and multilateral aviation negotiations; international dispute resolution, and international alliances. He was responsible for the political health and status of international codeshare agreements and worked directly with key House and Senate staffers on historic legislation such as Homeland Security Bill, Iraq War Supplemental, and the Aviation and Transportation Security Act.
As a pilot, Captain Dan Elwell has aeronautical ratings in DC-10, MD-80, and B-767 aircraft. Before joining American Airlines he flew active duty for the Air Force for seven years, and retired from the Air Force Reserve in 2004 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy and the Georgetown Government Affairs Institute Congressional Fellowship Program.
Dan lives in northern Virginia with his wife and three children.