The White House has named Lynne Osmus FAA acting administrator, effective Jan. 16, just a day after Osmus was named the agency's acting deputy.

Osmus takes over from current acting administrator, Robert Sturgell, who has tendered his resignation as expected in advance of the change in administration.

Osmus is a veteran FAA executive who has links to members of the Obama transportation transition team, and it is very likely that the Bush administration sought approval from the Obama team before naming her. One source noted she will be a good link between the two administrations. She is not expected to be a contender to be the permanent administrator.

Osmus joined FAA in 1979, and has been in the executive ranks since 1990. Her most recent post was assistant administrator for security and hazardous materials. However, she was also the FAA liaison with the Obama transition team.

She previously served as chief of staff for former administrator Jane Garvey, who was one of the lead members of the transportation transition team.

Osmus was senior advisor to Sturgell when he was FAA deputy administrator.

Photo: FAA