Mr. O'Donnell is a seasoned aerospace executive with over 40 years of leadership in commercial space, aviation, and regulatory oversight. A trusted advisor to industry leaders, he brings deep expertise in safety management, regulatory strategy, and high stakes operational leadership, developed through decades of experience with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and state aviation organizations.

Most recently, Mr. O'Donnell served as the FAA's Deputy Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (AST), where he directed AST’s daily operations, overseeing the safety and growth of the U.S. commercial space transportation sector. In this role, he was instrumental in aligning regulatory frameworks to support industry innovation, ensuring operational excellence while maintaining the highest safety standards.

With 17 years in the Senior Executive Service at the FAA, Mr. O'Donnell has built and led high-performance teams, driven regulatory compliance, and developed critical policies to support the safe integration of cutting-edge aerospace technologies. His tenure includes executive leadership roles as the Executive Director of the Office of Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service (AOV-1) and the Office of Accident Investigation and Prevention (AVP-1). He initially joined the FAA as Director of the Office of Airport Safety and Standards (AAS-1) in 2008, where he established a foundation for data-driven safety oversight and operational improvement.

Prior to his federal service, Mr. O'Donnell led the South Carolina Division of Aeronautics as Executive Director, managed Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Connecticut, and served as an Aviation Accident Investigator for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. His early career in the U.S. Air Force as an Aircrew Life Support Specialist laid a strong technical foundation for his later achievements in aviation safety and oversight.

A graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU), Mr. O'Donnell holds an M.S. in Aeronautical Science and a B.S. in Professional Aeronautics. He is an Adjunct Professor for the ERAU Graduate Studies program and a private pilot, and accredited airport executive, further reflecting his deep commitment to the aerospace field.

Mr. O'Donnell holds a Top Secret/SCI security clearance and maintains an extensive global network, enabling him to bridge the gap between government and private sectors to foster innovation and operational excellence.