new DOT head confirmed

The Department of Transportation is headless no more. On Sept. 30, the Senate confirmed the nomination of Mary E. Peters as Secretary of Transportation, a position that had been vacant since Norman Mineta resigned in early July.

Peters has transportation-related experience at both the federal and state levels. She served as administrator of the Federal Highway Administration from 2001 to 2005 and prior to that, spent three years directing the Arizona Department of Transportation. Peters most recently worked in Phoenix, Ariz., as the national director for transportation policy and consulting at engineering firm HDR Inc.

As Secretary of Transportation, Peters says she intends to focus on fighting congestion across all modes of transportation, improving safety and addressing strains on traditional sources of transportation infrastructure funding.