Against the Wind - National Air Traffic Controllers Association

supporters and won.
One month before McNally took over the helm
from Krasner in September 1997, the FAA’s fourteenth
administrator moved into her office at agency
headquarters. Ending a revolving door policy that
had afflicted the FAA’s executive suite since its inception
in 1958, the Senate appointed Jane Garvey to an
unprecedented five-year term.
A former director of Logan International Airport
in Boston, Garvey came to the FAA after serving
in the two top positions at the Federal Highway
Administration for more than four years. Bright and
sincere, she was a firm believer in collaboration and
soon endeared herself to controllers by listening to
their concerns and demonstrating that the agency
valued their input. The sharp difference from previous
administrators floored the work force, which
considered Garvey a breath of fresh air.
Houston Center controller Trish Gilbert, who
sits on the National Legislative Committee and has
actively organized new members and other bargaining
units, echoes a widely held sentiment when she
says Garvey “realizes that you can get more from
people when you respect them rather than try to
control them.”
Garvey credits her parents for instilling that
attitude. “My mom was a great teacher and she listened
to people, brought them forward through persuasion
rather than coercion,” she says. Garvey also
28
Nov.
U.S. District Court Judge Ann Aldrich dismisses NATCA’s lawsuit to
prevent the contracting out of 111 Level I VFR towers. The judge cites case
law supporting government contracts to private employers—essentially
understands her limitations in technical knowledge
and isn’t shy about seeking guidance from others. “I
always think I have something I can learn.”
The new administrator and McNally met for
the first time that fall. Over the next few years, they
established a lasting rapport and an unparalleled
Chapter 5: The Art of the Deal
Fourteen administrators have directed the FAA since its inception in 1958
1 Elwood R. Quesada Nov. 1, 1958 – Jan. 20, 1961
2 Najeeb E. Halaby March 3, 1961 – July l, 1965
3 William F. McKee July l, 1965 – July 31, 1968
4 John H. Shaffer March 24, 1969 – March 14, 1973
5 Alexander P. Butterfield March 14, 1973 – March 31, 1975
6 John L. McLucas Nov. 24, 1975 – April l, 1977
7 Langhorne M. Bond May 4, 1977 – Jan. 20, 1981
8 J. Lynn Helms April 22, 1981 – Jan. 31, 1984
9 Donald D. Engen April 10, 1984 – July 2, 1987
10 T. Allan McArtor July 22, 1987 – Feb. 17, 1989
11 James B. Busey IV June 30, 1989 – Dec. 4, 1991
12 Thomas C. Richards June 27, 1992 – Jan. 20, 1993
13 David R. Hinson Aug. 10, 1993 – Nov. 9, 1996
14 Jane F. Garvey Aug. 4, 1997 – Aug. 4, 2002 *
FYI
* Appointed to a five-year term
agreeing that air traffic control is not “inherently governmental”—and
rules that the union lacks standing to press its claim against the FAA and
Transportation Department. NATCA appeals the decision.
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