Key facts
- Chris Rocheleau is departing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
- Rocheleau served as the FAA's Deputy Administrator since July 2025.
- He previously held the position of Acting FAA Administrator from January 30, 2025, to July 10, 2025.
- FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that Chief Counsel Liam McKenna is expected to become the acting deputy administrator.
Chris Rocheleau, the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is leaving the agency. He was appointed Deputy Administrator in July 2025 and had previously served as the Acting Administrator from January 30, 2025, to July 10, 2025. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford indicated that Chief Counsel Liam McKenna is expected to assume the role of acting deputy administrator.
Rocheleau's tenure as acting administrator followed a period of significant events, including a deadly plane crash near Washington, D.C., for which he was tasked with the immediate response. Prior to his recent roles, Rocheleau had a distinguished career at the FAA spanning over 20 years, holding various positions such as Deputy Associate Administrator for Aviation Safety, Chief of Staff, and Executive Director for International Affairs. He also served as Chief Operating Officer for the National Business Aviation Association and was among the early leaders of the Transportation Security Administration.
Rocheleau's departure comes shortly after POLITICO reported that another senior official, Donald Bornhorst, who joined the agency as chief administrative officer last year, was also leaving the FAA.