Air Transport Association Names Christopher C. Brown Vice President Legislative and Regulatory Policy

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of its reorganization targeted at building advocacy and lobbying capabilities, the Air Transport Association of America (ATA), the trade organization for the leading U.S. airlines, today appointed Christopher C. Brown as Vice President Legislative and Regulatory Policy. Brown brings more than 15 years of experience in aviation policy and government affairs to his new position, where he will focus on outreach to key stakeholders to advance policy and legislative issues.

"Chris' appointment is another key step in our drive to make the ATA the premier advocacy organization for U.S. airlines," said ATA President and CEO Nicholas E. Calio. "He brings extensive expertise in aviation from his years working on Capitol Hill, with the Federal Aviation Administration and in the private sector, where he represented airlines. He has the right experience, relationships and knowledge to help drive thought leadership on legislative and policy matters."

Brown joins the ATA on March 14 from Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, where he was Senior Counsel of the Government and Regulatory Affairs Practice Group and served as Senior Congressional Affairs Advisor to the firm's client, United Airlines. He worked with United on legislative issues pertaining to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization and also on matters related to the Future of Aviation Advisory Committee, established by U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Prior to joining Manatt, Brown spent two years with the FAA, where he was Assistant Administrator and Deputy Assistant Administrator for Government and Industry Affairs.

Previously, Brown served as Majority Counsel to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives from 2005-2007. In that position, he advised Reps. John Mica (R-FL) and Thomas Petri (R-WI) on aviation issues. Brown began his legal career as an associate in the public law and policy section of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, where he represented American Airlines before the U.S. Congress and executive branch. He graduated summa cum laude from Boston College and received his juris doctor from The George Washington University Law School.

ABOUT ATA

Annually, commercial aviation helps drive more than $1 trillion in U.S. economic activity and nearly 11 million U.S. jobs. ATA airline members and their affiliates transport more than 90 percent of all U.S. airline passenger and cargo traffic. For more information about the airline industry, visit www.airlines.org and follow us on Twitter @airlinesassn.

SOURCE Air Transport Association