Acting Regional Administrator, Alaskan Region

Erik Amend serves as the Acting Regional Administrator for the Alaskan Region. Appointed to the role in December 2025, he is the principal executive representative of the FAA Administrator in the region.  

Mr. Amend provides corporate leadership in cross-organizational matters and represents the agency with industry, the public, and governmental organizations. He also provides oversight of the regional office facility.   

Previously, he was the Acting Deputy Executive Director in the FAA’s Office of Aviation Policy and Plans (APO), leading the development and implementation of civil aerospace system policies that targeted key goals and priorities.    

His extensive FAA leadership experience also includes appointments as the Acting Regional Administrator for the Great Lakes Region (AGL) and the Western-Pacific Region (AWP), where he led engagements from aircraft noise and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and aviation policy.

Mr. Amend served as the Acting Deputy Manager for the APO Analysis Division. He managed the full life-cycle development process for the FAA 2023 reauthorization proposal and oversaw the development of a new executive level Power BI (data visualization) dashboard. The tool mapped the reauthorization’s alignment with DOT Strategic Plan goals, Flight Plan 21, and stakeholder concerns. 

Serving in the role of Executive Manager in the UAS Integration Office, Mr. Amend directed the safe integration of new entrants into the National Airspace System (NAS). He led National Drone Safety Awareness Week, UAS Symposiums, and “Know Before You Fly” partnership agreements, as well as activities for multiple executive level, agency wide committees and meetings. 

Mr. Amend holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. He is a certified Project Management Professional since 2006.