President nominates Mary Peters as Transportation Secretary

President Bush nominated Mary Peters, former head of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), to be the next Secretary of Transportation. If confirmed by the Senate, Peters will succeed Norm Mineta, who served as Transportation Secretary for six years, a record term for the position. "Mary Peters is the right person for this job," said Bush. "She brings a lifetime of experience on transportation issues, from both the private and public sectors."

Peters joined the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) in 1985 and was appointed ADOT director in 1998. She served as head of FHWA from 2001 to 2005 and, most recently, as senior vice president for consulting firm HDR, Inc. Peters led FHWA’s efforts to complete a multi-year authorization of surface transportation programs. According to the Washington Post, she is an advocate of user fees (tolls) to fund construction of new highways.