Jennifer Homendy, who was sworn in as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board in August, named her leadership team, selecting Dana Schulze to serve as managing director. In that role, Schulze will assist with the day-to-day operations of the agency, which has 400 employees and a $118 million budget. She previously was director of the Office of Aviation Safety and has served as an aircraft system safety engineer, chief of the aviation engineering division, and chief of the major investigations division for the organization.
Succeeding Schulze as head of aviation safety is Tim LeBaron. LeBaron, who becomes the nation's top aviation investigator, joined the NTSB as an intern in 2003 and since has led more than 300 airplane crash investigations. A pilot and aircraft owner, he previously was a mechanic who worked on business and general aviation aircraft.
Additionally, Homendy named Dolline Hatchett as principal deputy managing director for management and operations. Hatchett was formerly director of the Office of Safety Recommendations and Communications and before that steered the agency’s Transportation Disaster Assistance Division.
Joe Sedor, meanwhile, has become as chief technical advisor for space and advanced aerospace transportation investigations. Sedor, a former flight test engineer/pilot for Cessna Aircraft, previously supervised all major air carrier and space investigations for the NTSB.
Erik Strickland, who has 20 years of transportation safety experience, further was named executive officer.
“These tested leaders bring a wealth of talent and energy to our small but vital agency," Homendy said. “While they come from different backgrounds and areas of expertise, all are committed to upholding the values of the NTSB today and working to ensure we are ready to meet the safety challenges of tomorrow."
