FAA promotes Vicki Cox to lead modernization work

In her position as senior vice president of NextGen and operations planning, Cox will help speed the program's implementation, said Acting FAA Administrator Robert Sturgell. Cox previously served as a vice president in the FAA's Air Traffic Organization.

The airlines and the FAA are pressing Congress to authorize long-term funding for NextGen, a multibillion-dollar, satellite-based air traffic control system that will take nearly 20 years to complete.

The FAA in August awarded ITT Corp. a contract worth up to $1.8 billion to build the first portion of the satellite-based system, which also will include airspace redesign and runway safety improvements.

Besides overseeing NextGen, Cox's position will incorporate the Joint Planning and Development Office, which helps coordinate efforts of NASA and the departments of Transportation, Defense, Commerce and Homeland Security.