One of the worst administrators in recent history was Mrs. Marion Blakey. Under Administrator Blakey's watch we saw years of record delays in the air traffic control system and a devolution of trust and safety within. The administration lost key people in the investigative branch which some say was due to her top heavy management style. Blakey now heads up a lobbying firm in the DC area for aerospace. Her acceptance of that job is considered controversial by some.
On the good side, Mrs. Blakey's career before the FAA was peripherally involved in the commercial aviation lobby and greatly assisted Airbus and others in the US marketplace. Another good turn by Blakey was the recommendation of the new acting administrator Mr. Robert Sturgell, formerly of the NTSB.
Improvements are already underway with Bob Sturgell as the acting administrator. Bob is a former United pilot and Navy Top Gun instructor. He understands the system from our perspective. Change for the better will take time - course adjustments for such a vested bureaucracy usually comes in small increments.