Central Region Acting Regional Administrator 

Debra Sanning is currently servings as the acting Regional Administrator for FAA's Central Region, which is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. The Central Region is comprised of the four states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. In this role, Debra provides leadership in a variety of cross organizational matters and initiatives directly with aviation stakeholders, airport authorities, congressional officials, and the general public. She leads the Regional Administrator’s Outreach Team in Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

Ms. Sanning previously served as the Deputy Regional Administrator to the Central Region. In addition, her FAA experience includes serving as the acting Deputy Regional Administrator, Senior Advisor to the Regional Administrator’s Office, Special Programs Integrator and Facility Manager of the DOT Regional Headquarters.

Debra serves as Co-Chair of the Downtown Government Security Council, as a member of the Intelligence Liaison Officers group of Missouri and works with various law enforcement partnerships in the Central Region. Ms. Sanning also serves on the Kansas State University, Masters in Aeronautics Advisory Board. 

Ms. Sanning began with the FAA in 1989 as a Senior Realty Specialist (contractor) in the Logistics Division, procuring land, space and services for a variety of emerging FAA projects. Ms. Sanning effectively moved several high value projects to completion.

In 2001, following the 9/11 tragedy, Debra was selected as the Facility Manager of FAA's multi-tenant regional headquarters. Ms. Sanning was successful in building emergency response processes, an operational security program and communications plans with Agency, local, state and federal partners, along with oversight, daily operations, construction moves and changes.

Prior to her career with FAA, Debra specialized in public health nursing, later expanding to certifications in a variety of public safety initiatives, including incident command, continuity of public operations, operational security and safety programs. While working for the American Nurses' Association in Kansas City, the Hyatt Regency walkway collapsed in 1981, further magnifying the desire for advanced training in all aspects of public safety. The exposure to this tragic event has led to numerous opportunities to train with first responders in many areas including Oklahoma City, and New York City, along with local and national emergency management officials.