Nominees for Three Key Transportation-Related Agencies Announced
President Trump announced nominees for key leadership positions, including administrators for the Federal Highway Administration and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and assistant administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air and Radiation office.
The nominees:
Paul Trombino, former Iowa Department of Transportation director and former president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, was tapped to lead the FHWA. Trambino is president of McClure Engineering Co., a civil engineering company.
Howard Elliott of Indiana, a 40-year veteran of the U.S. freight rail industry, was called on to head PHMSA. For the last decade, Elliott has served as group vice president of Public Safety, Health, Environment and Security for CSX Transportation in Jacksonville, Fla.
William Wehrum of Delaware, a partner and the head of the administrative law group at Hunton & Williams, was nominated to be assistant administrator of EPA’s Air and Radiation office.
Trambino’s emphasis on transportation as a key part of economic development — particularly the movement of freight and goods in a global economy — has helped frame national policy and investments, said Bud Wright, AASHTO executive director.
“We look forward to working closely with Administrator-nominee Trombino and the Federal Highway Administration on important issues facing the national transportation system including the deployment of new technologies that increase safety and improve efficiency; streamlining project delivery to ensure the American public gets the best value on its transportation investments; and addressing the long-term stability of the Highway Trust Fund.”
As AASHTO’s 2015-2016 president, Trombino focused on congressional action on a new surface transportation bill as well as ensuring AASHTO was well-positioned to serve its member departments, ultimately leading the organization through a major committee restructuring, the trade group said.
Elliott’s portfolio of responsibility has included hazardous materials transportation safety, homeland security, railroad policing, crisis management, environmental compliance and operations, occupational health management and continuity of business operations, according to a White House statement. He also is a pioneer and leading advocate in developing and implementing computer-based tools to assist emergency management officials, first responders and homeland security personnel in preparing for and responding to a railroad hazardous materials or security incident, the statement said.
Wehrum’s law practice focuses on air quality issues including regulatory development and related litigation, compliance counseling and enforcement defense, legislative advice, and permitting, the administration said.
Prior to joining Hunton & Williams, Wehrum served for two years as acting assistant administrator for EPA’s Air and Radiation office.
