WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced that Francis P. Mulvey has been designated Acting Chairman of the agency by President Barack Obama, succeeding former Board Chairman Charles D. Nottingham.
The announcement follows the Board’s receipt of an official order signed by the President on March 12 and delivered to the Board the following day.
“I am honored to receive this designation by President Obama, and I look forward to serving the Board and the public in this capacity,” Mulvey said. “I believe that my long record of public service, especially in the transportation area, qualifies me for the work ahead.
“I expect to work closely with Members of Congress to achieve the twin goals of ensuring that shippers pay reasonable rates for quality rail service and that railroads earn an adequate rate of return on capital,” Mulvey added. “I look forward, as well, to undertaking the new statutory responsibilities that Congress has entrusted to the Board.”
Nottingham plans to continue serving as a Member of the Board through the end of a term to expire on Dec. 31, 2010.
Mulvey, a Democrat from Maryland, was nominated as a Member of the Board by President George W. Bush on Nov. 17, 2003, for a four-year term ending Dec. 31, 2007, that was confirmed by the United States Senate. On November 30, 2007, President Bush nominated Mulvey to a second term of office, and the Senate confirmed that nomination for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2012.
Prior to joining the Board, Mulvey was Staff Director, Railroad Subcommittee, and Staff Director, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, for the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In those positions, he was responsible for all railroad legislative matters for the Ranking Democratic Member of the Committee and served as advisor to the Ranking Member on overall transportation-policy issues.
