Peter
Goelz
Former managing director of the National Transportation Safety Board
Peter Goelz offers decades of leadership in management, transportation, crisis communications and national and international political strategy. He has been active in public life and politics for close to four decades having worked for and advised Presidents, Senators, and Governors. He served as executive assistant and political director for Governor Hugh J. Gallen (NH), and worked for Presidents Jimmy Carter and William J. Clinton.
In addition, Mr. Goelz was appointed by President Clinton to serve as managing director of the National Transportation Safety Board. After joining the NTSB in 1995, Mr. Goelz served as director of the offices of government affairs, public affairs and family affairs and became managing director of the independent agency in 1996. As managing director, his responsibilities included handling the day-to-day operations of the agency and serving as chief policy advisor to the Chairman. In addition, he managed the passage of the agency’s re-authorization and appropriations legislation and testified on Capitol Hill. He is widely hailed as one of the country’s most experienced safety investigative experts.
Mr. Goelz was on scene and directed investigative activities at numerous aviation accidents, including ValuJet in Miami; TWA off the coast of New York; EgyptAir off the coast of Rhode Island; American Airlines in Arkansas; and the John F. Kennedy, Jr., accident off the coast of Massachusetts. Mr. Goelz was the principal liaison to the White House, the FBI and the CIA. During this time Mr. Goelz also directed investigative activities in numerous pipeline, rail and other surface accidents.
While serving in the Clinton Administration, Mr. Goelz was detailed to the White House to work on security and communications issues surrounding the WTO conference in Seattle, WA. In September 1990, Mr. Goelz began work with the Government of Kuwait while they were in exile. Stationed with the Government in Taif, Saudi Arabia, he helped stand up the Government’s Public Information Office and crafted a number of innovative communications strategies on behalf of the people and government of Kuwait.
In the private sector, Mr. Goelz worked with major airlines, airports, unions, and corporations, advising them on safety and security matters. His current and past clients have included Alaska Airlines, Boeing, PG&E, NetJets, Presidential Airways, L3 Communications, Massport/Logan Airport, and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants.
Mr. Goelz is a sought-after commentator on transportation safety issues and is currently under contract with CNN. His written commentary has appeared in numerous national and international outlets, including USA Today, New York Times, and Aviation Daily. Mr. Goelz is a member of the Aero Club of Washington, the International Aviation Club, and the International Society of Air Safety Investigators (ISASI).