President Obama Nominates UC Riverside Alumnus Michael Herta as FAA Chief

RIVERSIDE - President Barack Obama nominated UC Riverside alumnus Michael Huerta as chief of the Federal Aviation Administration for a five-year term, the university announced today.

Huerta, 55, earned a bachelor's in political science from UCR in 1978 and received the university's Outstanding Young Alumnus award in 1986. He spoke at a university alumni event in October, UCR spokeswoman Kris Lovekin said.

Huerta grew up in Rubidoux and graduated in 1974 from Notre Dame High School in Riverside, according to the Riverside Press-Enterprise.

Huerta has served as acting administrator of the FAA si...