Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown Removed from NTSB

News Summary

Alvin Brown, the former Mayor of Jacksonville, has been removed from his position as vice chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). His dismissal was confirmed by the White House on May 5, 2025, but no specific reasons were provided. Brown had been appointed to the NTSB by President Joe Biden in late 2024. His removal follows a trend of dismissals of Democratic members from various independent agencies, raising concerns about the politicization of such organizations. The current composition of the NTSB has been significantly affected by this change.

Jacksonville, Florida – Former Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown has been removed from his position as vice chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The White House confirmed his dismissal on May 5, 2025, although no official reason for the decision has been provided.

Alvin Brown was appointed to the NTSB by former President Joe Biden in December 2024 and was sworn in as a member of the board on March 13, 2024. His removal has left the NTSB with only four board members, all of whom were appointed during President Trump’s first term. Following his dismissal, there were initial restrictions on Brown’s access to NTSB offices; however, he was later escorted into the building. His biography was also subsequently removed from the agency’s official website.

The NTSB is an independent agency responsible for investigating civil aviation accidents, as well as significant incidents across various modes of transportation. Since the beginning of the year, the Trump administration has dismissed multiple Democratic members from different independent agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. This trend has raised concerns regarding the politicization of such agencies.

Background of Alvin Brown

Before his tenure at the NTSB, Brown served as a Senior Advisor for Community Infrastructure Opportunities at the U.S. Department of Transportation. He is known for being Jacksonville’s first Black mayor, a role he held from 2011 to 2015. His experience extends to the federal level, where he worked under former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in domestic policy positions.

Alvin Brown has a significant academic background; he is the first in his family to graduate from college. He holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from Jacksonville University and a master’s from Duke University Divinity School. His extensive expertise in public service and community development contributed to his role in managing transportation safety and infrastructure.

NTSB’s Current Investigations

The NTSB currently oversees multiple investigations into aviation accidents and other serious incidents affecting transportation safety. With Brown’s removal, key leadership shifts could impact the agency’s direction and effectiveness. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is expected to address ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety, especially in light of recent incidents that have raised alarms across the industry.

The implications of Brown’s removal from the NTSB may extend beyond personal consequences, potentially affecting the agency’s ability to conduct impartial investigations and make significant safety recommendations. As an independent agency, the NTSB’s mission is focused on enhancing transportation safety for the public, and any shifts in its composition could impact its ongoing and future operations.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Former Jacksonville Mayor Discharged from NTSB Role

Additional Resources

• News 4 Jax
• Wikipedia: National Transportation Safety Board
• CBS News
• Google Search: Alvin Brown NTSB
• First Coast News
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Alvin Brown
• Orlando Sentinel
• Google News: Alvin Brown
• USA Today
• Google Scholar: National Transportation Safety Board