Senate approves Connaughton, Nottingham, Hill to transport posts

Senate approves Connaughton, Nottingham, Hill to transport posts    The U.S. Senate approved the nominations of Sean T. Connaughton to maritime administrator, Charles D. Nottingham to Surface Transportation Board chairman.
   Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, made good on his promise last week to push these two non-controversial nominations for a Senate vote before the Congress takes its August recess. The Senate unanimously approved the nominees Thursday evening.
   Connaughton replaces former Maritime Administrator William G. Schubert, who resigned from the post at the start of President Bush’s second term. Nottingham succeeds Roger Nober, who left the STB on Jan. 3. Both the Maritime Administration and STB reside within the Transportation Department.
   Also last week, the Senate last week confirmed John Hill as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Hill was FMCSA’s chief safety officer.