Regulations and Government
FAA Shifts Key Leaders in AIR, UAS as Baker Retires
Earl Lawrence is new head of the Aircraft Certification Service while Jay Merkle leaders UAS Integration.

The U.S. FAA promoted Earl Lawrence to executive director of the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR), succeeding Dorenda Baker, who retired after 32 years with AIR. Lawrence moves over to AIR from his role as executive director for the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Office. Jay Merkle, who had been deputy vice president for the FAA Air Traffic Organization’s Program Management Office, steps into the role Lawrence is vacating. Both Lawrence and Merkle take their new posts on December 9 and report to FAA associate administrator for aviation safety Ali Bahrami.


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