Air Transport Association President Carol Hallett to Speak at Embry-Riddle Commencement

Carol B. Hallett, president and chief executive officer of the Air Transport Association (ATA), will be the commencement speaker. Established in 1936, ATA represents the needs and promotes the interests of the commercial airline industry. Its members are 23 U.S. passenger and cargo carriers and five international carriers. ATA member airlines transport more than 95 percent of all cargo and passengers in the United States.

ATA promotes aviation safety, advocates industry positions, conducts industrywide programs, and ensures public understanding and awareness of the airline industry. ATA has played an important role in all major government decisions on aviation since its founding, including the creation of the Civil Aeronautics Board, the creation of the air traffic control system, and airline deregulation.

Hallett has worked to unify airline leaders to proactively deal with the top priority of the industry, safety, as well as a wide array of other industry concerns. She established the Aviation Safety Alliance, a multimillion-dollar enterprise that educates the public, the media, decision-makers, and government officials about aviation safety and the necessity for an organized approach to improving safety performance.

Under her leadership, ATA encourages appropriate government action while working to reduce unnecessary intervention by planning joint industry/government efforts. To that end, Hallett led the development of Customers First, an industry-driven program that responds to issues of concern to the flying public and Congress.

She also advocates the modernization of the air traffic control system and the reduction of the disproportionate share of taxes and fees paid by airlines and their customers.

Hallett has a strong background in politics, public service, and transportation. In 1989, she was appointed by President Bush to serve as the U.S. Customs Service commissioner, directing a work force of 20,000 employees. She was recognized by the airline industry for her efforts to modernize that agency.

In other experience, she was appointed the U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas in 1986 after holding the position of director of the Western region of the U.S. Interior Department.

Hallett served three terms in the California State Assembly, and from 1979 to 1982 was its assembly minority leader. In 1982 she was the Republican Party's nominee for lieutenant governor in California.

She is a licensed pilot with more than 5,000 hours of pilot-in-command time. She has experience in single- and multi-engine aircraft, turboprops, and business jets.

Hallett will receive Embry-Riddle's Distinguished Speaker Award, which recognizes individuals for their professional accomplishments, national or international stature, or exceptional contributions to society. The award is bestowed on an individual at the conclusion of a special presentation or lecture delivered at a major university function such as commencement, and is used to honor speakers for sharing their special insights with the university community, especially its students and faculty.

Embry-Riddle, the world's largest, fully accredited university specializing in aviation and aerospace, meets the needs of students and industry through its educational, training, research, and consulting activities. Degree programs through the master's level are offered at residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Fla., and Prescott, Ariz., at more than 100 teaching sites in the United States and Europe, and through distance education.