WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao today announced that Mathew M. Sturges has been appointed Deputy Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).       

Before joining FRA, Sturges was Majority Staff Director of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I), where he directed legislative oversight and authorization efforts related to all modes of transportation, including the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.  Previously, he served as the T&I Committee’s Deputy Staff Director, Staff Director of the Aviation Subcommittee, and Director of Member Services.  Sturges was also Deputy Director of Government Affairs for the Republican National Committee, and Director of Coalitions for the House Republican Conference led by Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (OH-15).  In addition, he was a consultant at Advancement Partners, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio working on capital campaigns for private educational institutions.

“I am excited to welcome Matt to the FRA executive team.  He brings a wealth of Capitol Hill experience to FRA that will be an asset when dealing with some of the agency’s most pressing policy issues,” says FRA Administrator Ronald L. Batory.  

As Deputy Administrator, Sturges will be a key member of the FRA’s senior executive management team responsible for helping lead the agency’s safety regulatory activities, federal investments in freight and passenger rail, as well as legislative initiatives to advance the Administration’s priorities.

Mr. Sturges is a native of Dublin, Ohio, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Western State College of Colorado.  He currently resides in Alexandria, Va. with his wife and two daughters.