Marion Blakey

Marion Clifton Blakey (born March 26, 1948) is an American businesswoman and former government official who served as president and CEO of Rolls-Royce North America.

She also attended the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University for graduate work in Middle East Affairs.

As the nation's leading highway safety official, she was charged with reducing deaths, injuries, and economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes.

[3] Blakey worked to significantly improve the Board's accident reporting process and increased industry and regulatory responsiveness to NTSB safety recommendations.

Additionally, Blakey strengthened the Board's advocacy and outreach programs to promote safer travel throughout all modes of transportation.

[6][7] Senator Charles Schumer of the opposition Democratic Party publicly blamed the FAA for the delays, and called for Blakey's resignation.

[8] Shortly after her tenure ended, on September 25, 2007, the Office of the Inspector General issued a report stating, "Based on the first 7 months of the year, it is clear that 2007 may be the busiest travel period since the peak of 2000 and may surpass the 2000 record levels for flight delays, cancellations, and diversions.

[13] The FAA noted that the agency hired over 1,400 new air traffic controller trainees and employed 14,874 nationwide exceeding 2007's target.

[2][16] Her move to the new role was criticized at the time by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, the Project On Government Oversight, and by Rep. Henry Waxman of the opposition Democratic Party, on the grounds that the AIA represents firms that the FAA oversaw and awarded contracts to during her five-year tenure.

[17] Blakey said at the time that she had not taken a direct role in any regulatory action that affected the AIA, which represents aircraft manufacturers and defense contractors, and that she was "taken aback and a little appalled, frankly" at the issues being raised.

NTSB Chairman Marion Blakey (third from right) during the investigation of the tail fin and rudder from American Airlines flight 587