Deputy Executive Director, Office of National Engagement and Regional Administration

Terry Wadley was appointed to serve as the Acting Deputy Executive Director of the FAA Office of National Engagement and Regional Administration (ARA) in November of 2023. Previously, she held the position of Acting Senior Advisor to the FAA Assistant Administrator for Policy, International Affairs, and Environment (APL-1).  

Terry has over 15 years of experience with the FAA, providing dedicated support to the agency’s mission of aviation safety and efficiency. She served as the permanent ARA Executive Manager from 2011 – 2021, having started in the role one year prior in an acting capacity.   

Notably, Terry negotiated the most recent collective bargaining agreement for the FAA and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association while serving on the national management team. Terry also had a leadership role in the Regions and Center Operations’ (ARO) Optimization Initiative that provided improved products and services to stakeholders. She also led the successful change management transition of ARO/ARA into the APL organization.   

During her tenure at the FAA, Terry led ARA horizontal integration across the FAA’s Lines of Business and Staff Offices, facilitated coordination of the national programs and initiatives among the agency’s nine regions, and oversaw modernization initiatives, such as the FAA’s community engagement chatbot on the FAA.gov website.     

Additional roles that Terry held at the FAA include serving as Executive Operations Manager, Building Services Manager, and Senior Advisor to the Regional Administrator in the Southwest Region (ASW). Her start with the FAA began as a Computer Specialist in ASW.  

In 2020, Terry graduated from the FAA’s Senior Leadership Development Program (SLDP). She holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Business Administration and a Master’s of Business Administration from New Mexico State University.