The U.S. Senate can’t keep the government open, but this week it confirmed David Fink as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration.
“We commend the Senate and Administration for confirming David Fink as Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement. “His deep experience in freight and passenger rail operations positions him well to lead the FRA in its critical oversight role.
“During his tenure at Pan Am Railways, he worked with Amtrak to advance safety, improve service reliability, and strengthen coordination between passenger and freight interests,” Harris added. “We look forward to continuing that partnership as we focus on running a safe and efficient national passenger railroad.”
The Senate voted 51-47 to confirm Fink. They also confirmed Michael Rutherford to serve as the first assistant secretary for multimodal freight infrastructure and policy, Gregory Zerzan as general counsel, and Derek Barrs as the eighth administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
“Freight rail is the backbone of the American economy – moving what matters safely, efficiently, and reliably every day,” Association of American Railroads President and CEO Ian Jefferies said in a statement. “David’s unique experience as a fifth-generation railroader brings unmatched expertise to this role, enabling data-driven regulation and modernization that strengthens safety and performance across the network.
“AAR looks forward to collaborating with Administrator Fink and the FRA to advance smart, evidence-based policies that foster innovation, enhance supply chain resilience, and support U.S. global competitiveness,” Jefferies added. “Together, we can ensure America’s rail system continues to lead the world.”
