NTSB Vice Chair Graham to retire in October

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Vice Chair Michael Graham will retire Oct. 2, vacating the three-year term he was designated for in April. Graham was sworn in to the NTSB in January 2020 after being appointed by President Donald Trump during his first presidential term.

Graham served as the board member on scene for multiple transportation safety incidents, including the 2023 Norfolk Southern Railway derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. He was an advocate for deploying connected vehicle technology and expanding the adoption of safety-management systems across all transportation modes, NTSB officials said in a press release.

"Mike’s integrity, hard work and passion for safety made him an incredible asset to the NTSB, and I am deeply grateful for his service," said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. "This is a job in which tragedy and loss are part of our daily work, and Mike’s commitment to the NTSB’s mission, expertise and coolness under pressure will be missed. I wish him and his family all the best in his retirement."

Graham, a former U.S. Navy aviator and top safety official for Textron Aviation Inc., thanked the president for his appointment to the NTSB and designation as vice chair.

"I am especially grateful for the dedicated safety professionals throughout the NTSB who have helped me fulfill this role," he added. "As I conclude my federal service and begin my retirement, I do so with immense pride in what has been accomplished and with confidence in the continued strength and importance of the NTSB’s safety mission."