WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation – today introduced Wichita native Michael Graham, nominee to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), to the Commerce Committee ahead of his confirmation hearing.

Click Here to Watch Sen. Moran’s Full Questioning

Remarks as delivered:

“Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. I’m proud to introduce Michael Graham to this committee. As a Kansan, he has been nominated to the National Transportation Safety Board.

“Michael Graham, for the last three decades, has committed his life to service and aviation safety. He was a Naval Aviator and a flight instructor, and now in his capacity as the Director of Flight Operations Safety, Security, and Standardization for Textron Aviation.

“As a Naval Aviator, Mr. Graham advanced from Ensign to Lieutenant Commander, flew more than 1,800 flight hours. He has flown multiple deployments, including piloting the F/A-18 Hornet in operation Desert Storm.

“Mr. Graham also spent time as a Division Leader, leading Combat Air Patrol missions over Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation Southern Watch. After his deployment, he took on a new role as a flight instructor for all phases of student training in flying the F/A-18.

“Following his distinguished military service, Mr. Graham continued his dedication to a career in-flight safety. First at Boeing/McDonnell Douglas as an F/A-18 aircrew instructor and avionics integration engineer, and eventually as Director of Flight Operations Safety, Security, and Standardization for Textron, where he’s now worked for over 20 years. In this capacity, he is responsible for the safe and secure operations of all domestic and international flights conducted in support of the company.

“Finally, Mr. Graham serves in multiple capacities throughout the aviation industry. He’s the head of the National Business Aviation Association’s Safety Committee Single-Pilot Safety Working Group, is a member of the General Aviation Information Analysis Team of the Aviation Safety Information Analysis & Sharing program, and is chair of the Air Charter Safety Foundation.

“He has a long and decorated career in service and safety, and I’m honored that he has been nominated, and I look forward to his testimony today with real expectation that he will impress my colleagues as much as he impresses me.

“Mr. Graham, I thank you for your service to our country and your willingness to continue that effort.”

Click here to watch the full questioning. 

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