Bryan Bedford

Bryan Bedford
Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration
Presumptive nominee
Assuming office
President	Donald Trump
Succeeding	Michael Whitaker
Personal details
Born	(1961-10-26) October 26, 1961 Florida, U.S.
Education	Florida State University

Bryan Keith Bedford (born October 26, 1961) is an American business executive who has served as the chief executive of Republic Airways Holdings since 1999.

In March 2025, President Donald Trump named Bedford as his nominee to serve as administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.

Early life and education

Bryan Keith Bedford was born on October 26, 1961, in Florida. Bedford graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree.

Career

Early career (1983–1995)

By 1990, Bedford was a financial controller for WestAir Commuter Airlines. Three years later, he had become the chief financial officer of Phoenix Airline Services. That year, he was named a principal of Chicago Express Airlines's regional service.

Mesaba Airlines (1995–1999)

In July 1995, Bedford became the president and chief executive of Mesaba Airlines.

Chautauqua Airlines (1999–2014)

In June 1999, Bedford became the president, chairman, and chief executive of Chautauqua Airlines. He lead the airline after the September 11 attacks.

Republic Airways (1999–present)

In July 1999, Bedford had become the president and chief executive of Republic Airways Holdings. He became chairman in August 2001. In 2009, the company won a bankruptcy auction for Frontier Airlines. The following year, Bedford appeared on Undercover Boss (2010–2022) as the chief executive of Frontier, announcing that he would end a ten percent pay cut.

Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration

At the start of Donald Trump's second administration in January 2025, Michael Whitaker, the administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, resigned. In March, Bloomberg News reported that Bedford was a frontrunner to serve as president Donald Trump's nominee for the position. On March 17, Trump named Bedford as his nominee.

Views

Bedford has opposed a rule that requires commercial airline pilots to log 1,500 hours of flying before obtaining their license, lobbying against it before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in 2014. In 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration rejected Republic Airways Holdings's request to reduce required hours to 750.

Personal life

In August 1990, Bedford married Maria Richelle La Riche at Naples United Church of Christ in Naples, Florida.

Works cited

Articles

• "Chicago Express Airlines to Begin Regional Service". The New York Times. July 23, 1983. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
• Duncan, Ian (September 19, 2022). "FAA rejects proposal to cut qualifying flight time in half for pilots". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
• "Republic Wins Bid for Frontier, Beating Southwest". The New York Times. August 14, 2009. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
• Saric, Ivana (March 17, 2025). "Trump nominates Republic Airways CEO as FAA administrator". Axios. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
• "La Riche — Bedford". Naples Daily News. November 18, 1990. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
• Schrader, Ann (October 18, 2010). "Frontier's "Undercover Boss" vows on show to roll back staff's pay cut". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
• Treaster, Joseph (September 14, 2001). "Airlines Seek to Limit Lawsuits Over Attacks". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2025.Nunes, Ashley (April 19, 2018). "After the Southwest jet's emergency landing, will Congress change airline safety rules?". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 17, 2025.
• Verspille, Allyson; Schlangenstein, Mary (March 12, 2025). "Republic Airways CEO Leads Candidates for FAA Top Post". Bloomberg News. Retrieved March 17, 2025.

Documents

• "Bryan Keith Bedford in the Minnesota, U.S., Birth Index, 1935–2004" (Document). Birth Index.
• "Bryan K Bedford". Bloomberg News. Retrieved March 17, 2025.