Robert Sumwalt
With over four decades in aviation—from airline pilot to Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board—Robert Sumwalt is a nationally recognized leader in transportation safety. Today, he brings his experience and insight to the stage as a keynote speaker, educator, and advisor shaping the future of safe flight and infrastructure.
Robert Sumwalt’s aviation career began in the cockpit. After logging over 14,000 flight hours as an airline captain, he transitioned into policy and safety advocacy, ultimately serving as the Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
His leadership helped shape key investigations, influence federal policy, and establish a forward-thinking culture of safety. Now, Sumwalt continues to advise, speak, and teach, dedicating his time to improving transportation systems worldwide.
Robert Sumwalt’s impact on aviation safety is profound—built on decades of experience in the cockpit, in the boardroom, and at the helm of the nation’s premier transportation safety agency.
After 24 years as an airline pilot, Sumwalt brought his practical expertise to the National Transportation Safety Board, where he was appointed as a Board Member in 2006. In 2017, he was named Chairman, a role he held until 2021. During his tenure, he oversaw some of the most high-profile transportation investigations in recent U.S. history, guiding the agency through pivotal moments with clarity, integrity, and deep technical insight.
"Organizations with a healthy safety focus are constantly learning. They learn from their mistakes and those of others. Ideally, information regarding prior incidents and accidents is shared openly and not suppressed."
Whether addressing global aviation summits or corporate safety conferences, Robert Sumwalt delivers compelling, insightful keynotes on leadership, crisis communication, transportation safety, and organizational culture.
With decades of firsthand experience, he tailors each talk to the audience—blending data, stories, and inspiration to leave a lasting impact.
Robert Sumwalt is a trusted voice in transportation safety and leadership, frequently featured in national media and industry publications. From televised briefings to expert commentary, he brings clarity and credibility to complex issues.
In July 2021, Robert joined CBS News as on-air/off-air transportation safety expert, consultant, and analyst, where he appears frequently to discuss transportation safety issues.
Prior to CBS News, Robert conducted live interviews on every major U.S. television network including The Today Show, NBC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, CNN New Day, NBC’s Meet the Press, CBS’s Face the Nation, CNN’s State of the Union, Fox News Sunday, and ABC’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
His insights have also appeared in outlets like The Wall Steet Journal, The Washington Post, New York Times, and Aviation Week.
