Trump appoints Begeman acting STB chair

President Donald Trump has named current board member Ann Begeman acting chairman of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, according to a statement from the STB.    President Donald Trump has appointed current board member Ann Begeman as acting chairman of the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB), according to a statement from the STB.
   Begeman is currently serving a second, five-year term as a member of the STB following her nomination by President Barack Obama on Dec. 7, 2016, and her unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate on Dec. 9. She first joined the STB on May 2, 2011, and her current term expires Dec. 31, 2020.
   Prior to her appointment in 2011, Begeman served in Senate staff positions for more than 20 years, including playing a key role in the crafting of the ICC Termination Act, which created the STB. She served as the Republican staff director for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation under Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, and the committee’s Deputy Staff Director and Transportation Policy Advisor under Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
   Begeman succeeds Democrat Daniel Elliott III, who was appointed chair by President Obama in 2015.
   “It is an honor to serve the public on the board, and I am grateful to President Trump for the opportunity to lead the agency at this time,” Begeman said in a statement.
   “I look forward to continuing the important mission of the STB in my new capacity as acting chairman, working with the new administration, my fellow board members, Daniel Elliott and Deb Miller, our dedicated agency staff, and our important stakeholders,” she added. “I also wish to recognize former Chairman Daniel Elliott for his service and leadership, and his sincere efforts to facilitate a smooth transition during the change in administrations.”