robert allan sturgell (born august 1, 1959) is a former acting administrator of the federal aviation administration (faa), having served from september 14, 2007, to january 15, 2009. appointed to the position on september 14, 2007, by president george w. bush, he was never confirmed by the u.s. senate. prior to his appointment, he had served as deputy administrator of the faa since 2003.