New DOT deputy

Martin T. Whitmer Jr. has been named deputy chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Transportation by Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta. Whitmer replaces Vincent T. Taylor, who in January became the assistant secretary for administration at the DOT.

"I am pleased to advance Martin to deputy chief of staff," Mineta said. "He has helped the department move forward on many important issues--most notably surface transportation policy, safety, energy and environmental stewardship."

In addition to his role as deputy chief of staff, Whitmer also will serve as the secretary’s point person on the reauthorization of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, also known as TEA-3, and the energy bill.

Whitmer joined the DOT in March 2001 as an assistant to the secretary for policy, advising on highway, transit, energy, motor carrier and safety issues.

Before that, from 1997 until 2001, Whitmer was the vice president of government relations for the American Road & Transportation Builders Association.