The Honorable Robert L. Sumwalt is Executive Director of the Boeing Center for Aviation and Aerospace Safety at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he also holds appointments as Distinguished Fellow in Aviation Safety and Associate Professor. Previously, Sumwalt served as Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Member of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for 15 years, where he was appointed by U.S. Presidents Bush, Obama, and Trump. Prior to that, Sumwalt was an airline pilot for 24 years with over 14,000 flight hours in Boeing 727, 737, Airbus A-320, Fokker F-28 and Fokker F-100. He has coauthored books on aircraft accidents and safety management systems (SMS) and he has published over 100 articles on accident investigation, SMS, and human factors. Sumwalt received a Master of Aeronautical Science Degree (with distinction) from Embry-Riddle Worldwide with concentrations in aviation/aerospace safety systems and aviation human factors. In September 2021, Sumwalt was awarded the Flight Safety Foundation - Boeing Aviation Safety Lifetime Achievement Award.