Michael Huerta ('78 Political Science)
Michael Huerta ’78 served as the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) from 2013 to 2018. He currently serves as a business consultant, advising clients in the aviation, aerospace, transportation and technology sectors. He serves on the Boards of Directors of Delta Air Lines, Inc., and Verra Mobility Corporation. He is an experienced transportation official who has held leadership positions across the country, including serving as Managing Director of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, as Commissioner of New York City's Department of Ports and as the Executive Director of the Port of San Francisco. He has been serving on the SPP Advisory Board since 2014.
What are your proudest accomplishments?
To me, accomplishments are less about individuals and more about teams, and I have had the honor and privilege to serve with some great colleagues. Being appointed to senior Federal government positions by President Clinton and President Obama gave me the opportunity to work with some of the most dedicated people I have ever met who were focused on making the U.S. a better country.
Who was the most influential person or mentor who helped shape who you are as a person and a leader?
Ron Loveridge has been a wonderful mentor and a huge influence in my life and career. When I was a student, he encouraged me to look beyond the narrow focus I had on international relations and got me interested in how cities work and the challenges of providing government services that directly affect people’s lives. I was inspired by his willingness to engage in the political and policy making process himself as Mayor of Riverside. More recently he has invited me to talk to current students about their interests and careers.
Are there any research areas/projects you are currently involved in or would be interested in collaborating with SPP faculty or students?
I am a big fan of collaboration to address big problems. My career has been defined by finding ways to foster collaboration between the government and the private sector, between regulators and the companies they regulate, and diverse political interests. The beauty of this approach is that it works. For example, commercial aviation fatalities were reduced by over 80 percent over a ten-year period due to
airlines, labor, companies and the government coming together to assess risk and to mitigate hazards. With the current state of political polarization in the U.S., we need to find ways to bring people together.
What advice do you have for public policy students as they prepare for a career in public service?
Don’t feel that you need to have everything figured out or planned for an entire career. Public service is about being able to respond to needs of constituents and these are constantly changing. Be open to hearing about potential solutions as well as challenges. And don’t worry about making the wrong decisions. That can freeze any progress. Careers are not defined by right steps or wrong steps, only next steps, constantly moving forward.
figure out the degree of learning loss that occurred during the pandemic.
On a personal note, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
I am a skier in the winter and enjoy biking and hiking in the summer. Traveling with my wife and my son is always fun. We all enjoy seeing new places and meeting new people.
Any final words of wisdom?
I would like to thank UCR for investing in educating and training policy professionals. I would also like to thank students and graduates for their service to the region, the State of California, our nation, and the whole world.