Assistant Administrator, Policy and Rulemaking

Michael Ciamarra joined the FAA as Assistant Administrator for Policy and Rulemaking (APL-1) in October 2026.

Ciamarra heads the Office of Policy and Rulemaking (APL) where he will advise the Administrator on major policy questions, lead the development of the FAA’s policy agenda, lead rulemaking and deregulatory efforts, and oversee the FAA’s implementation of congressional reauthorization. APL drives the agency’s strategic planning and national aviation policy – including environmental and energy strategy, aviation activity forecasts, and economic analyses.

Ciamarra came to the FAA from Southwest Airlines where he was Senior Federal Affairs Director. There he developed the federal legislative and regulatory strategy for the company on issues such as air traffic control, airport development, and transportation security.

Before joining Southwest, Ciamarra worked for the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations where he helped develop and negotiate the annual Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) appropriations bills.

He also worked in the personal office of Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama), where he served as the senator’s lead policy advisor on environmental and transportation issues.

Ciamarra received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Communications from the University of Alabama. 

Ciamarra is a volunteer Firefighter/ EMT and member of the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad in Montgomery County, Maryland.