Honorable Alisa M. Tapia, Acting Chief Judge
Judge Tapia was duly appointed as an Administrative Law Judge during Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt’s tenure in July 2021.
Before joining the NTSB, Judge Tapia was appointed Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration, serving in Georgia and North Florida from 2016 to 2021.
Judge Tapia brings over 17 years of administrative law judge experience. She served as an administrative law judge presiding over complex litigation involving gas, electric and utility regulations from 2007 to 2011. From 2011 to 2016, she served as an Appellate Administrative Judge for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Appeals Division.
Her past positions include Illinois state prosecutor, Judicial Law Clerk to the late Hon. Charles Middlesworth, III, Superior Court of New Jersey, and extern Judicial Law Clerk to Hon. Magistrate Judge Gerald Cohn, U.S. Southern District of Illinois.
Judge Tapia earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Mount St. Mary’s University, a women’s only university in Los Angeles, California. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from St. Louis University Law School. She is a member of the Illinois and Missouri Bar.
Honorable Darrell L. Fun, Judge
Judge Fun was duly appointed as an Administrative Law Judge during Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt’s tenure in July 2021.
Before joining the NTSB, Judge Fun was appointed Administrative Law Judge for the Social Security Administration, serving in North Carolina from 2016 to 2021.
Judge Fun is another proud veteran. His legal career began in the U.S. Air Force as a Judge Advocate. Although he left active duty in 2000, Judge Fun continues to serve our country with the Wyoming Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves as Colonel. His past positions include Wyoming state prosecutor, Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and Assistant U.S. Attorney.
Judge Fun earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Syracuse University Law School. He is a member of the Colorado, New York, and Wyoming Bar.
Honorable V. Stuart Couch, Judge
Judge Couch was duly appointed Administrative Law Judge by Chair Jennifer Homendy in July 2023.
Before joining the NTSB, Judge Couch was duly appointed by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder as an Immigration Judge in October 2010, and thereafter, Attorney General William Bar appointed him as an Appellate Immigration Judge on the Board of Immigration Appeals in August 2019.
Judge Couch is another proud veteran. After serving a distinguished 22-year career in the U.S. Marine Corps, he retired from military service as a Lieutenant Colonel in September 2009. His past positions include KC-130 pilot, military prosecutor, appellate military judge, and North Carolina state prosecutor.
Judge Couch earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Duke University. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from Campbell Law School and a Master of Laws from The George Washington University Law School. He is a member of the North Carolina bar.
