Veteran aviation and association executive Christopher J. “Chris” Rocheleau will serve as the next president and CEO of Airports Council International – North America (ACI-NA), the trade association announced today. Rocheleau will join ACI-NA on October 5, succeeding Kevin M. Burke, who will step down on October 4 after nearly 13 years leading the association. Burke will serve as CEO Emeritus through the end of 2026.
Rocheleau brings more than three decades of leadership experience spanning aviation safety and policy, organizational management, national security, government, and industry. His career includes more than two decades in senior leadership positions at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), culminating in service as acting administrator and deputy administrator. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), where he held broad responsibility for the association’s operations and management.
“The North American airport industry is navigating significant change, and Chris Rocheleau is the kind of leader ACI-NA needs as we look to the future,” said Cindy Nichol, director of airports for Sacramento County and chair of the ACI-NA Board of Directors. “Chris brings a deep breadth of aviation knowledge, proven executive leadership, and relationships across government and industry. He understands the strength of the organization he will inherit and shares our commitment to delivering meaningful value to our members. The Board is confident that Chris will build upon ACI-NA’s strong foundation and ensure The Voice of Airports® remains influential, forward-looking, and effective in Washington and Ottawa.”
During his career at FAA, Rocheleau had senior responsibility for international affairs and aviation policy, and he has worked with aviation authorities, governments, and industry stakeholders around the world. Rocheleau brings proven experience working with regulators at Transport Canada, particularly on aviation bilateral agreements. He also served as the U.S. representative to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in Montreal on COVID aviation recovery efforts.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead ACI-NA and represent the airports and business partners that make our aviation system possible,” said Rocheleau. “Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the important role airports play in advancing aviation safety, connecting people and commerce, strengthening communities, and driving economic growth. ACI-NA has an outstanding reputation, a talented team, and a strong foundation built under Kevin Burke’s leadership. My first priority will be listening to ACI-NA’s leadership, members, staff, and partners, and then working together to ensure our association and our industry are prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead.”
Rocheleau assumes leadership of ACI-NA at a consequential time for North American aviation. Airports are confronting significant infrastructure needs, air traffic control modernization, workforce constraints, evolving safety and security requirements, emerging technologies, governance changes, growing passenger demand, air service connectivity, and an increasingly complex policy environment.
Rocheleau is an aviation industry veteran. He was appointed acting administrator of the FAA in January 2025 and became deputy administrator in July of that year following the confirmation of Bryan Bedford as FAA administrator. Rocheleau continued serving as deputy administrator through July 2026.
Rocheleau previously joined NBAA in 2022 as chief operating officer, with broad executive responsibility for the association’s work on safety and aircraft operations, as well as its administrative, financial, technical, and human resources functions. He returned to NBAA in August 2026 following his most recent period of service at the FAA.
During his earlier career at the FAA, Rocheleau held numerous senior executive positions with responsibility for aviation safety, policy, international affairs, environment, emergency operations, and organizational leadership. His roles included acting associate administrator and deputy associate administrator for aviation safety, FAA chief of staff, and assistant administrator for policy, international affairs, and environment.
