DAN ELWELL

President

Elwell & Associates, LLC

Prior to forming Elwell & Associates, Dan Elwell was Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration from June 2017 to November 2020.Before being appointed deputy administrator, Mr. Elwell was a senior advisor to Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.During his tenure as deputy administrator, Elwell served as Acting FAA Administrator from January 2018 until August 2019.

Elwell previously served at the FAA as the Assistant Administrator for Policy, Planning, and Environment from 2006–2008. Earlier in his career, he served as a legislative fellow for the late Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). From 2013–2015, as Senior Vice President for Safety, Security, and Operations at Airlines for America (A4A), Elwell was responsible for leading the advancement of commercial aviation safety and security excellence for major U.S. air carriers.

From 2008-2013, Mr. Elwell was Vice President of the Aerospace Industries Association. In this role, he represented civil aerospace manufacturers and led policy development and advocacy for the civil aerospace manufacturing industry – more than 300 companies making engines, airframes, space vehicles, satellites, and unmanned aircraft systems.

Elwell was a commercial pilot for 16 years with American Airlines, flying DC-10, MD-80, and B-757/767 aircraft. While maintaining his proficiency as an MD-80 Captain, he served as Managing Director for International and Government Affairs at American Airlines.

Dan earned his pilot wings at Williams Air Force Base in Arizona after graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Affairs. Lieutenant Colonel Elwell retired from military service as a Command Pilot with more than 6,000 hours combined civilian and military flight time in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Air Force Reserve, including combat service during Operation Desert Storm.

He currently serves on several private and public boards, including Alaska Airlines Group.

HOLLY E. WOODRUFF LYONS

President

HWL Aerospace Policy, LLC

Holly Woodruff Lyons is the founder and President of HWL Aerospace Policy, LLC, a government relations consulting firm that provides clients with strategic counsel and legislative assistance on aerospace policy.

Prior to forming HWL Aerospace Policy, Holly was the Republican Staff Director and Senior Counsel of the United States House of Representatives Subcommittee on Aviation.  She retired at the end of 2021 after serving on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee staff since 2002 where she served in several different capacities, including as Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure from 2014 – 2018.

During her almost 20 years of Hill experience, Holly worked on a number of legislative efforts including every Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board reauthorization bill or law since 2003.  She was the lead House drafter and negotiator of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018; the FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act of 2016; and the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012; and the lead House Republican drafter and negotiator of the AircraftCertification, Safety, and Accountability Act in 2020.  Holly also helped draft and negotiate the Airline Safety Act of 2010; the European Union ETS Prohibition Act of 2011; and the Small Airplane Revitalization Act of 2013.

Prior to joining the committee, Holly was an attorney in the FAA’s Office of the Chief Counsel, Airport and Environmental Law Division, and before that, worked in private legal practice and higher education.

She graduated from Colgate University and the University of San Diego School of Law.  She is a member of the Bar in Colorado.

Holly resides with her husband Mark Lyons (USMC retired) in Fernandina Beach, Florida.

THOMAS CULLIGAN

President

Ascent Public Policy & Strategic Communications, LLC

Thomas (Tom) M. Culligan, Jr. brings 20 years of Capitol Hill and aerospace industry experience to launch Ascent Public Policy & Strategic Communications, LLC.  Ascent offers clients a unique blend of government relations expertise and industry insight, with a proven track record in advancing critical aerospace programs, securing funding, and advocating for policies that support the future of aerospace, defense, and space exploration. 

At RTX, Culligan led government relations for Collins Aerospace’s Civil and Commercial programs, with a focus on the company’s FAA, NASA, and Department of Energy programs. He played a key role in securing critical provisions in the FAA Authorization Act, including new programs for next-generation radio altimeters, an Autonomous Flight Demonstrator, and air traffic management technologies. He also helped secure funding for next generation aviation systems, innovative new engine technologies, advanced structures for next-gen aircraft as well as human spaceflight and satellite programs. Culligan also helped navigate the Geared Turbo Fan (GTF) powder metal issue, working closely with Capitol Hill and federal agencies to address concerns. 

He also led advocacy for all of RTX’s civil and defense spectrum as well as acquisition policy and intellectual property rights.  In addition to these authorization issues, he also managed all appropriations priorities and advocacy for Collins Aerospace, securing billions in funding above the budget request for Collins defense and civil programs.    

While at Boeing, Culligan was responsible for government relations on NASA programs, where he successfully worked with Congress to extend the International Space Station until 2030, managed oversight following the Starliner missions, and increased funding and authorization language to develop the Space Launch System (SLS), including its Block 1B and Exploration Upper Stage (EUS). He also played a key role in securing funding and authorization for the NASA-Boeing X-66 Transonic Truss Brace Wing (TTBW) Flight Demonstrator, a public-private partnership aimed at testing a next-generation single-aisle aircraft design.

Culligan was also involved in helping Boeing navigate challenging crises, including the aftermath of the 737 MAX accidents, the 787 grounding, and the 5G radio altimeter issue. His work on Capitol Hill following these events helped rebuild key relationships with Members of Congress and Congressional staff in the wake of one of the most challenging periods in the company’s history.

Before joining Boeing and RTX, Culligan served as Vice President and later President of the Brimley Group, a boutique lobbying firm in Washington, DC, where he represented a range of aerospace clients, including the Virginia Space Flight Authority, Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, AMRO, Bigelow Aerospace and the Coalition for Deep Space Exploration.  He played a critical role in advocating for NASA’s Artemis Program, working with industry giants such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman to secure funding for deep space exploration initiatives.

Culligan began his career on Capitol Hill, working as a legislative assistant for Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), Chairman of the House Aviation Subcommittee, before moving to the office of Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA), who served as Chairman of both the House Transportation-HUD (THUD) and Commerce-Justice-Science (CJS) Appropriations Subcommittees, which fund NASA, FAA, NOAA, and federal science agencies. He served as Wolf’s Legislative Director and Associate Staff to the CJS subcommittee where he played a key role in shaping U.S. space and aeronautics funding priorities, as well as leading efforts on R&D investments.

Culligan has served as Chair of both the Civil Space and Commercial Space Committees at the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), the General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) Washington Representatives Committee and as a board member of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Washington Branch.  

He holds a BA in International Affairs from James Madison University and a Master of Public Policy (MPP) in National Security Management from George Mason University.  Culligan serves on the JMU College of Arts & Letters Alumni Board and previously co-founded and led the JMU Political Science Alumni Board and JMU Politicos career network in Washington, DC.