WASHINGTON, D.C. - National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman announced the appointment of Alfonso J. Montano as an administrative law judge for the agency.

Montano has been an administrative law judge for 15 years with the Department of Health and Human Services and the Social Security Administration. During that time he heard adversarial cases dealing with Medicare nursing home compliance issues, fraudulent or abusive practices involving Social Security disability programs, and the exclusion or debarment of individuals or companies from participation in federal health care programs.

Before becoming an administrative law judge, Montano served as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice.

He is a graduate of New Mexico Highlands University and earned his law degree at the University of San Francisco School of Law. He is a licensed private aircraft pilot.

Administrative law judges at the NTSB hear appeals from airmen, mechanics or companies that have had adverse action taken against their authority by the Federal Aviation Administration.