GE Aviation CEO & President And CVG CEO Appointed To WIAAB

Congratulations to both of these women!

(Washington, D.C.) - On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao announced the appointment of 30 board members and chair of the newly-formed Women in Aviation Advisory Board (WIAAB). 

Former U.S. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson will serve as chair of the board.

“The Department welcomes Dr. Heather Wilson and these accomplished advisory board members, who share a commitment and passion for encouraging women to access opportunities in aviation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The WIAAB was created last October under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 to develop strategies and recommendations that would encourage women to enter the aviation field. This board will specifically assess education, training, mentorship, outreach, and recruitment of women throughout the field. 

“Women are underrepresented in aviation and I look forward to working with Secretary Chao, the FAA, and the advisory board to develop strategies that will encourage more women to consider careers in the aviation industry,” Dr. Wilson said.

From major airlines and aerospace companies, nonprofit organizations within the aviation industry, aviation and engineering business associations, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, and institutions of higher education and aviation trade schools, WIAAB board members represent a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise. 

President and CEO of GE Aviation Services, Jean Lydon-Rodgers, and CEO of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Candace S. McGraw, were two of these newly appointed board members. 

Lydon-Rodgers will be representing Major Airlines and Aerospace Company on the board. This Cincinnati resident is responsible for providing operators of GE and its joint ventures' commercial engines with a customizable suite of products and offerings to help them lower their lifecycle cost of ownership. 

McGraw is sitting on the board as an Airport representative. While being at our local airport, she has focused on positioning the airport for the future by completing a 2035 Master Plan Study; attracting both domestic and international low-cost air carriers; consolidating operations into a renovated terminal facility; and diversifying revenue through targeted cargo, land, and concession improvements.

Both women received a Congressional letter of recommendation.

Find a full list of appointees and their biographies is available here.

“From Secretary Chao to the several women on my senior leadership team, and the more than 10,000 women in the FAA, we see the professionalism and contributions that make our aviation industry the gold standard for the world every day,” said FAA Administrator Steve Dickson. “We salute the WIAAB’s new board members for their commitment to illuminate this career path for more women.”

Almost 200 applicants applied for the opportunity to sit on the WIAAB board. 

Members will be appointed to the WIABB for the duration of its existence. Board members will meet twice a year to carry out its duties.