She was appointed by President Bill Clinton and holds several "firsts" for an FAA Administrator: she was the first Administrator appointed to a 5-year term, the first female Administrator, and the first Administrator who was not a licensed pilot. She had previously worked as a teacher, highway safety administrator, and the director of Logan International Airport.

She currently serves as the chairwoman of the Capital-to-Capital Coalition, which works to promote non-stop service between Beijing and Washington Dulles International Airport.

Garvey was recently named as one of six experts advising the Obama transition team on transportation issues. She was among a small group of candidates mentioned as possible Secretaries of Transportation in the Obama administration (Daily Hampshire Gazette, November 18, 2008, http://www.gazettenet.com/2008/11/18/garvey-not-talking-about-obama-work), though the eventual choice was congressman Ray LaHood.

Her husband, Robert J. Garvey, is the sheriff of Hampshire County, Massachusetts.

In-depth resumes can be found at MITRE and the Flight Safety Foundation.

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