Top spots in transit at NHTSA, FMCSA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The administrator positions at two key federal transportation agencies are in the process of turning over.

In January, President Bush nominated Nicole Nason to be administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Nason currently serves as assistant secretary of transportation for governmental affairs at the Department of Transportation. She would take over for Jeffrey Runge, who left the post in September to become the chief medical officer at the Department of Homeland Security. At press time, the nomination had been sent to the Senate and was awaiting confirmation.

At the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), Administrator Annette Sandberg announced her resignation, effective March 1. Sandberg became the second administrator of the FMCSA in 2003. She had previously served as deputy administrator of NHTSA.

In her resignation letter to President Bush, Sandberg wrote that during her three-year tenure, “We have made significant strides in improving commercial motor vehicle safety and security on our nation’s highways.” A nomination for Sandberg’s replacement had not been announced as of press time.