Appel to Step Down as RITA Administrator

Peter Appel, administrator of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration, announced he will step down after less than three years on the job.

RITA, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, coordinates research and education programs for DOT and helps bring advanced technologies to the transportation network.

A DOT official said Appel was leaving for “personal reasons” and that deputy administrator Gregory Winfree will become the agency’s acting administrator.