LOS ANGELES – Phillip Washington, who served six years as CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), was nominated by President Joe Biden Wednesday as the next administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration.
Washington was Metro CEO from 2015 to 2021. He currently serves as CEO of Denver International Airport.
In announcing the nomination, the White House noted that during his time at Metro, Washington oversaw an $8 billion budget at an agency with 11,000 employees. Before Metro, he served as CEO of the Denver Regional Transportation District.
He also served in the Army for 24 years, reaching the rank of command sergeant major.
It was reported Washington was involved in a federal probe while running Metro and became a thorn in his return to Denver. Metro board member Sheila Kuehl personally wrote a letter on his behalf to denounce the “probe”.
Washington’s appointment could prove to be crucial to federal funds the city of Inglewood has applied for to pay construction costs for the Inglewood Transit Connector.
City News Service contributed to this report.
