Editor: Last Friday, I submitted a letter to the President withdrawing my name from consideration to lead as Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This was a decision that I did not make lightly. I have successfully led three large public organizations and proudly served our country in military uniform as a Command Sergeant Major (E-9) in the U.S. Army and as a disabled veteran.
Though I am confident in my ability to lead the FAA, as a transformative leader, I no longer saw a respectful, civil, and viable path forward to Senate confirmation. I faced cheap and unfounded partisan attacks and procedural obstruction with regard to my military career that would have further lengthened the already delayed confirmation process. With that said, I decided that for the good of the FAA and the country, I would withdraw my name from consideration. I wanted to put the country first and in doing so, I stepped aside to allow for the Administration and the Committee to do the same by accelerating the confirmation of a permanent leader.
I remain honored and humbled by President Biden’s decision to nominate me for this position. I am also grateful for the support I received from Sen. Maria Cantwell, as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Senators Hickenlooper and Bennet from my home state here in Colorado, U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, my mayor, Denver Mayor Michael Hancock, and a cross-section of stakeholders across the aviation community.
I am truly grateful for the overwhelming support and encouragement I have received from around the country and the world. I also want to thank and acknowledge all of the Senate Committee members for their time and consideration.
—Phillip A. Washington, via letters@sentinelcolorado.com
Man hardly even had support of the vote blue no matter who Dems. Unqualified doesn’t begin to describe it, but not surprising he is CEO of DIA. Given the position of running DIA in purely partisan fashion, with no aviation experience, and surprised he didn’t have what it takes to run the FAA. Party above all!!
Frist off, having state senators Mike Bennet, and John Hickenlooper, and political ball and chain Michael Hancock is not by any measure any exceptional flattering endorsement. This jump into the captain’s seat of the FAA to the steering of the large complex organization takes more than tapping into second rate political hacks to get you there. In the back pocket Politics aren’t everything. Protecting against a questionable past, a big order to dig out of. And maybe a little experience in the specific aviation industry might help a little. You know, maybe what controllers do, what standards should the A&Ps not be cutting corners on. This resume shows little more than making sure Phil Washington was at every political fund raiser starting back in the city of Los Angles. But the failure to comply and refusal to cooperate with the criminal warrants in the investigation from the LA county Sheriffs dept, from your close relationship into the LA Metro political corruption mess. And then conning the Denver City Council to be CEO at DIA, now that was quite a Harry Houdini feat after bad news hit in LA. Let’s call it a day Phil, quit digging.