Bush Nominates Mary Peters as New DOT Secretary

resident Bush has chosen former federal highway administrator Mary Peters to succeed Norman Mineta as secretary of transportation, the Associated Press reported Tuesday, citing a senior administration official.

Peters, who is currently national director for transportation policy and consulting at engineering firm HDR Inc.’s Phoenix office, served as chief of the Federal Highway Administration from 2001 to 2005, AP said.

Prior to heading FHWA, Peters spent 16 years with the Arizona Department of Transportation, AP reported.

“On behalf of the American Trucking Associations, I want to congratulate President George Bush on his decision to nominate Mary Peters to be the next Secretary of Transportation,” said ATA chairman Pat Quinn. “I hope for an early Senate confirmation process.”

Peters will fill a cabinet position that has been vacant since July following former Secretary Norman Mineta’s resignation. (Click here for previous coverage.)