Friday, August 03, 2001 (Washington, DC) U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today welcomed Allan Rutter to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) as the Senate confirmed him as Federal Railroad Administrator.

"I'm excited about Allan joining our team here at DOT. His comprehensive knowledge of transportation and his extensive background in rail policy will be invaluable in achieving the Department's strategic goals and in meeting the challenge of improving the nation's railroad system, " said Secretary Mineta.

Mr. Rutter has been involved in transportation policy for the past 17 years and served President Bush in Texas as Director of Transportation Policy. Before joining then-Governor Bush in 1995, Rutter was Deputy Executive Director of the Texas High-Speed Rail Authority. From 1984 to 1990, Rutter served Texas Governors Bill Clements and Mark White, and worked for the Texas House Transportation Committee. Most recently, Mr. Rutter developed transportation policy for Texas governor Rick Perry.

"I am grateful for President Bush and Secretary Mineta's confidence in me and honored to be associated with the dedicated professionals at the FRA," said Rutter.

As FRA administrator, Mr. Rutter will lead the regulatory and enforcement agency responsible for promoting safe and successful railroad transportation within the United States, and work to advance the policies of the Bush Administration regarding freight and passenger rail.

Mr. Rutter earned a master of public affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin and his bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin. He and his wife, Melanie, and their two daughters, Sarah and Elizabeth will reside in Manassas, Va.