Aircraft

Former FAA administrator Jane Garvey has stepped down as a member of Bombardier's board of directors, after agreeing to serve on the transition team that is overseeing review of transportation agencies for US President-elect Barack Obama

"I would like to thank Jane Garvey for her sound advice and guidance during her tenure," says Bombardier chairman Laurent Beaudoin in a statement. "We wish her great success."

From 1997 to 2002, Garvey served as the first ever five-year term administrator of the FAA. She joined Bombardier's board in October 2007, replacing Michael Durham, who left to pursue other duties.

Garvey is currently the head of the US public/private partnerships at JPMorgan. Speculation is rife that she could be appointed the country's new transportation secretary, heading up the DOT.

However, she had declined to discuss this possibility with reporters. Massachusetts newspaper The Republican quotes Garvey as saying: "I am going to refer everything to the transition office."

Garvey's departure from Bombardier's board brings the total number of directors to 12, of whom seven are independent.

A search will be undertaken for her replacement, says the Canadian airframer.