Monday, January 31, 2005 () U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced the selection of Daniel C. Smith for the position of Associate Administrator for Safety at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

Mr. Smith will head the Federal Railroad Administration’s safety program as one of the agency’s senior executives. Mr. Smith has served for the past twelve years as FRA’s Assistant Chief Counsel for Safety, heading up the agency’s safety enforcement and civil penalty program. He will report to Robert D. Jamison, FRA’s recently appointed Acting Administrator.

“Both individuals have a strong record on safety issues and will help the agency and its employees accomplish our safety objectives,” Secretary Mineta said. “As the nation’s railroads face the challenges of growth and greater demand for freight rail services, we must continue to emphasize safety to ensure public confidence in this important industry.”

Smith was first appointed to the federal government’s Senior Executive Service in 1999 and has served at the Federal Railroad Administration since 1978. His selection was made by a unanimous vote of the Department of Transportation’s Executive Resources Review Committee.