Archer Opens D.C. Office; Adds Key Policy, Government, and Regulatory Affairs Leaders Under Former FAA Chief as It Prepares for Commercial Launch

Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, announced today key strategic hires to bolster its government relations efforts and a Washington D.C. office opening. Former FAA Administrator and current Archer executive, Billy Nolen, is now Archer’s Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer leading Archer’s government affairs efforts and Melissa McCaffrey joined the team to lead its efforts at the U.S. state and local levels. Lynda Tran, former Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and Director of Public Engagement at the U.S. Department of Transportation, has also joined in an advisory capacity.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240418532194/en/

Former Senior Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, and Director of Public Engagement at the US DOT, Lynda Tran, recently joined the Archer team as an advisor and will play a critical role in supporting Archer’s regulatory affairs efforts (Photo: Business Wire)

Archer’s new Washington D.C. office is located at 500 L’Enfant Plaza near FAA and DOT headquarters and will include a display area where Archer will showcase its leading electric aviation technology to visiting policymakers and world leaders.

“This strategic move is part of our proactive approach to progressing through the regulatory process here in the U.S. as efficiently as possible so that we can help ensure our country continues to define the future of global aviation,” said Billy Nolen, Archer Chief Regulatory Affairs Officer. “Showcasing our leading eVTOL aircraft technologies to leaders in the nation’s capital will help bring to life our vision to transform cities by reducing traffic with safe, quiet electric air taxis.”

Prior to joining Archer, Melissa McCaffrey led Overair’s Government Affairs division where she headed their government relations and policy strategy, advocating at all levels of government for key positions on policies and regulations in support of the advanced air mobility industry. Before Overair, Melissa spent over 10 years at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the world's largest aviation membership association, where she held positions of increasing responsibility over her tenure with her last role focusing on managing their government affairs policy and advocacy. Mrs. McCaffrey holds a B.S. in Air Traffic Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and has been a licensed pilot for over 20 years.