Wednesday, June 01, 2005 (Washington, D.C.) Joseph H. Boardman will begin his new duties as the Administrator for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta announced.

Mr. Boardman was nominated by President George W. Bush to be the FRA Administrator on March 17 and he received U.S. Senate confirmation on April 28.

"Joe Boardman is a talented and highly qualified individual who will lead an aggressive effort to improve the safety and vitality of the nation’s rail system," Mineta said. "His years of experience as a state transportation leader who knows railroads also will be of great service to this administration as we seek to improve railroad safety and ensure the success of intercity passenger rail."

"The safety of both freight and passenger rail operations in this country is my utmost concern," FRA Administrator Boardman said. "I am also eager to start working with Secretary Mineta in the creation of an intercity passenger rail system that makes economic sense and meets the travel needs of its riders."

Since 1997, Mr. Boardman has served as the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT). For four years he also served as the Chairman of American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Standing Committee on Rail Transportation. Prior to his service at the NYSDOT, Mr. Boardman was the Chief Operating Officer of Progressive Transportation Services, Inc., in Elmira, NY, a transportation company that helped provide local and regional transportation services in eleven communities across New York State.

Mr. Boardman is a lifelong resident of New York State. He and his wife Joanne are moving from a home in Rome, NY to a residence in Washington, DC. They have three grown children.