Episode 34 - Former NTSB Managing Director Peter Goelz Discusses NTSB Response and Activities for Several Aviation Accidents including USAir 427, ValuJet 592, TWA 800 and Others

Introductions

Peter Goelz offers decades of leadership in management,

transportation, crisis communications and national and international

political strategy.  Mr. Goelz has managed the Washington, DC office

for O’Neill and Associates from 2005 through 2021 when he moved to Of

Counsel status. Prior to that he was the head of the Crisis

Communications Practice Group for the global communications firm APCO

Worldwide.

 

Mr. Goelz 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, 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 as well as

Managing Director.  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 J. F. Kennedy, Jr. accident off the

coast of Massachusetts. Mr. Goelz was the principle liaison to the

White House, the FBI and the CIA. During this time Mr. Goelz also

directed investigative activities in numerous pipelines, rail and other

surface accidents.

 

While serving in the Clinton Administration Goelz was detailed to the

White House to work on security issues surrounding the WTO conference

in Seattle, WA,

 

In September of 1990 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 Kuwait.

 

In the private sector, Mr. Goelz worked with major airlines, airports,

unions, and corporations, advising them on safety and security

matters. For the Warren Buffet owned company NetJets, he drafted their

first crisis response plan and guided them through a mid-air collision

accident,

 

His current and past clients have included Alaska Airlines, Boeing,

PG&E, NetJets, Presidential Airways, L3 Communications, Massport/Logan

Airport, the Association of Professional Flight Attendants,

 

Mr. Goelz is a sought-after commentator on aviation 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

 

Mr. Goelz, holds both a Bachelors and Master’s degree and he and his

wife, reside in Alexandria, Virginia.

 Contact Information

https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-goelz-851864a1/