NBAA Welcomes Senate Approval of Edwards for DOT Post, Graham for New NTSB Term

Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-431-5970, [email protected]

Washington, DC, May 18, 2026 - The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today welcomed the Senate's vote to approve Daniel Edwards to become the Department of Transportation's (DOT's) assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs, and Michael Graham to serve another five-year term on the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The Senate approved Edwards and Graham in a vote on a wider package of nominees for various positions in the Trump administration.

"NBAA congratulates Daniel Edwards on his confirmation and looks forward to collaborating with him as he steps fully into this position," said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. "We also congratulate Mike Graham on his confirmation to an additional term on the NTSB. His longstanding commitment to aviation safety makes him exceptionally well-suited to continue in this critical role."

Edwards has been serving as the DOT's principal deputy assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs and was previously the CEO of privately held businesses in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.

He served over 23 years in the United States Air Force and USAF Reserves, as both a KC-10 pilot and airfield civil engineer. He has flown more than 100 combat missions, holds type ratings in the DC-10 and 757/767 and has accumulated over 4,000 flight hours as both a military and commercial pilot.

Graham currently serves as vice chair of the NTSB. His new term will end Dec. 31, 2030.

Prior to joining the NTSB in 2020, Graham worked for more than 20 years at Textron Aviation as the company's director of flight operations safety, security and standardization, and in other roles. While at the company, he served on NBAA's Safety Committee.

Graham began his aviation career flying A-7s and F/A-18s for the U.S. Navy. He later worked for McDonnell Douglas and Boeing as an F/A-18 aircrew instructor and avionics integration engineer.

He is a certified airline transport pilot with 10,000 flight hours and is type rated in six different Citation models. Graham earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

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