FAA on Thursday named retired Air Force Major General Edward L. Bolton Jr. as the new assistant administrator for NextGen, Avionics Magazine has learned.
(Edward L. Bolton Jr. Photo, courtesy of Department of Defense.)
Bolton began his Air Force career as an enlisted cost and management analyst. He was commissioned in 1983 after completing an electrical engineering degree via the Airmen Education and Commissioning Program and graduating from Officer Training School. He has more than 20 years of executive-level experience in acquisition, program management, systems engineering, requirements development, policy development, strategic planning, financial management and congressional engagement.
Bolton comes to FAA at a critical time for the multi-billion-dollar NextGen program, mired by years of delays, cost over-runs and, more recently, sequestration. FAA has been without a NextGen chief for several months following the retirement of Vicki Cox earlier this year. Pam Whitley has served in the position in the interim role since then.
During his military career, Bolton served as commander of the 45th Space Wing, and Eastern Range Director of Patrick Air Force Base in Florida. He oversaw 24 successful spacelift, shuttle, test and range missions.