AASHTO Journal, 16 May 2014
The White House on Wednesday announced that President Obama will nominate Victor Mendez to serve as U.S. Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary and Peter Rogoff as the next Under Secretary for Policy at USDOT. Both men have been serving in temporary acting roles since earlier this year.
Mendez stepped in as Acting USDOT Deputy Secretary on Jan. 1, 2014 upon John Porcari’s departure (see related AASHTO Journal story here). Prior to this role, Mendez had served as Federal Highway Administrator since July 2009. During his time leading FHWA, Mendez directed the agency’s implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which improved the nation’s transportation infrastructure with $26.6 billion made available for bridge and highway projects across the nation. Mendez launched the Every Day Counts initiative in late 2009, which gives states tools to streamline delivery of transportation system improvements and find more cost effective ways to deliver them through new technologies and techniques. Mendez also carries state transportation department experience, as he served as director of the Arizona Department of Transportation. It was during that time he spent a year as American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials President and participated in several AASHTO committees.
Rogoff, who had served as Federal Transit Administrator since May 2009, was chosen to serve as acting under secretary for policy in January upon Polly Trottenberg’s departure to lead the New York City Department of Transportation (see related AASHTO Journal story here). During his tenure at FTA Rogoff oversaw the recovery and renewal of various transit agencies affected by Hurricane Sandy. He has been credited with helping to streamline FTA’s processes, in such instances as the New Starts program, and advance transit participation in USDOT credit assistance programs, including the TIFIA program.
“I am grateful that these talented and dedicated individuals have agreed to take on these important roles and devote their talents to serving the American people,” President Obama said in a statement. “I look forward to working with them in the coming months and years.”