Biography

Christopher J. Rocheleau joined Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association representing commercial service airports in the United States and Canada, as CEO in October 2026.  A veteran aviation and association executive, Rocheleau brings more than three decades of leadership experience spanning aviation safety and policy, organizational management, national security, government, and industry.-

His career includes more than two decades in senior leadership positions at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), culminating in service as acting administrator and deputy administrator. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), where he held broad responsibility for the association’s operations and management.

In January 2025, Rocheleau was appointed acting administrator of the FAA. He led the agency through one of the most consequential periods in its recent history, including the aftermath of the January 29, 2025, midair collision near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and a presidential transition. During his tenure, Rocheleau directed a nationwide aviation safety review, worked to accelerate the hiring of air traffic controllers, and helped launch efforts to modernize the nation’s air traffic control system.

Following the confirmation of Bryan Bedford as FAA administrator in July 2025, Rocheleau continued serving as the FAA deputy administrator through July 2026. In that role, he helped advance the agency’s safety and modernization priorities and supported the integration of emerging aviation technologies to improve safety and efficiency.

Over the course of his earlier FAA career, Rocheleau held numerous senior executive positions with responsibility for aviation safety, policy, international affairs, environment, emergency operations, and organizational leadership. His roles included acting associate administrator and deputy associate administrator for aviation safety, FAA chief of staff, and assistant administrator for policy, international affairs, and environment. His work placed him at the intersection of some of the most significant policy, safety and operational issues facing the U.S. and global aviation systems.

Rocheleau brings proven experience working with regulators at Transport Canada particularly on aviation bilateral agreements. He also served as the U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal on COVID aviation recovery efforts.

Prior to joining ACI-NA, Rocheleau served as chief operating officer of the NBAA, where he held broad executive responsibility for the association’s operations, including administrative, financial, technical and human resources functions, as well as activities supporting the organization’s work on safety and aircraft operations. He first joined NBAA in 2022 following more than two decades in senior leadership positions at the FAA.

Rocheleau began his professional career as an officer and special agent in the U.S. Air Force.  He retired from the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a lieutenant colonel in 2010.

Rocheleau holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Public Administration from City University of Seattle. He also completed the Executive National Security Program at Harvard Kennedy School and the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College.