Deputy Chief Operating Officer (A), Air Traffic Organization

Ms. Carey Fagan was appointed the Air Traffic Organization’s Acting Deputy Chief Operating Officer in November 2022.

As Acting Deputy COO, Carey is responsible to the Chief Operating Officer for ensuring safe, efficient and secure air traffic services for approximately 50,000 aircraft operating every day over nearly 30 million square miles across the National Airspace System (NAS).  

Carey provides leadership and guidance to more than 31,000 employees and oversees the daily operation of the ATO, an organization made up of air traffic controllers, technicians, engineers, pilots and a host of other technical and support personnel. The ATO is also responsible for operationalizing airspace modernization initiatives and integrating unmanned aircraft systems and commercial space operations into the NAS. 

Previous to this position, Carey served as the acting FAA Executive Director of International Affairs. In this role, she was responsible for developing international policy and providing guidance across the various disciplines of FAA.  Carey provided oversight to the FAA's international offices in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Latin America.  

Carey previously served as the Director of the FAA’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Training Office.  Carey also served as the FAA Director for the Asia-Pacific region located in Singapore from September 2017 to May 2021.  As Director, she was responsible for promoting U.S. interests and advancing civil aviation safety and efficiency in the Asia-Pacific region.  Carey also served as the FAA Executive Director of International Affairs from May 2011 until September 2017. 

Carey has over 25 years of federal experience, 20 of which have been in the international arena.   Previous to her international assignments, Carey held positions in the FAA aviation inspection and policy offices.  Before joining FAA, she spent 10 years with various financial firms involved in major aircraft leasing programs.

Carey holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of Georgia.