- NOMINATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

[Senate Hearing 110-1169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

S. Hrg. 110-1169

NOMINATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION, THE NATIONAL

AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

=======================================================================

HEARING

before the

COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,

SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

UNITED STATES SENATE

ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

__________

JULY 31, 2007

__________

Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation

SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS

FIRST SESSION

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JULY 31, 2007

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Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and

Transportation

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75-740 WASHINGTON : 2012
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DANIEL K. INOUYE, Hawaii, Chairman
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER IV, West TED STEVENS, Alaska, Vice Chairman
Virginia JOHN McCAIN, Arizona
JOHN F. KERRY, Massachusetts TRENT LOTT, Mississippi
BYRON L. DORGAN, North Dakota KAY BAILEY HUTCHISON, Texas
BARBARA BOXER, California OLYMPIA J. SNOWE, Maine
BILL NELSON, Florida GORDON H. SMITH, Oregon
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington JOHN ENSIGN, Nevada
FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, New Jersey JOHN E. SUNUNU, New Hampshire
MARK PRYOR, Arkansas JIM DeMINT, South Carolina
THOMAS R. CARPER, Delaware DAVID VITTER, Louisiana
CLAIRE McCASKILL, Missouri JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
Margaret L. Cummisky, Democratic Staff Director and Chief Counsel
Lila Harper Helms, Democratic Deputy Staff Director and Policy Director
Christine D. Kurth, Republican Staff Director and General Counsel
Kenneth R. Nahigian, Republican Deputy Staff Director and Chief Counsel

C O N T E N T S

----------
Page
Hearing held on July 31, 2007.................................... 1
Statement of Senator Inouye...................................... 1

Witnesses

Barrett, Vice Admiral Thomas J., USCG (Ret.), Nominee to be
Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation............ 5
Prepared statement........................................... 6
Biographical information..................................... 7
Brubaker, Paul R., Nominee to be Administrator, Research and
Innovative Technology Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation................................................. 19
Biographical information..................................... 20
Cohen, Hon. William S., former U.S. Senator, Maine; former
Secretary, U.S. Department of Defense.......................... 2
Murkowski, Hon. Lisa, U.S. Senator from Alaska............... 3
Spoehel, Ronald R., Nominee to be Chief Financial Officer,
National Aeronautics and Space Administration.................. 27
Prepared statement........................................... 28
Biographical information..................................... 29
Sutton, Rear Admiral William, USN (Ret.), Nominee to be Assistant
Secretary for Manufacturing and Services, U.S. Department of
Commerce....................................................... 34
Biographical information..................................... 36

Appendix

Response to written questions submitted by Hon. Trent Lott to
Ronald R. Spoehel.............................................. 46
Response to written questions submitted by Hon. John D.
Rockefeller IV to Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett............... 47
Snowe, Hon. Olympia J., U.S. Senator from Maine, prepared
statement...................................................... 45
Stevens, Hon. Ted, U.S. Senator from Alaska, prepared statement.. 45
Warner, Hon. John, U.S. Senator from Virginia, prepared statement 46

NOMINATIONS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF

TRANSPORTATION, THE NATIONAL

AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, AND THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

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TUESDAY, JULY 31, 2007

U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 9:59 a.m. in room
SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Daniel K. Inouye,
Chairman of the Committee, presiding.

OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. DANIEL K. INOUYE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII

The Chairman. The nominees before us today have been called
upon to lead in diverse areas of our Government, and I look
forward to the opportunity to hear their views on how their
past experiences will assist them in addressing the challenges
posed by these positions.
Vice Admiral Barrett, we are depending on you to offer
steady leadership at the Department of Transportation, and make
certain that the safety of our Nation's transportation system
remains the top priority of the agency. At the same time, I'm
certain you will encourage advancements that can enhance our
national transportation system and improve the movement of
goods and services and people across the United States.
Funding for our Nation's aviation programs will be a
particular challenge. The FAA has seen massive cuts to their
facilities and equipment accounts since FY 2004. These
practical cuts, if not corrected soon, will jeopardize our
international leadership in aerospace, and damage our ability
to address the capacity and congestion we are now experiencing
in our skies. And I'm certain you'll provide direction at the
Department of Transportation to make sure that aviation needs
are properly funded.
Truck and rail safety and the reauthorization of Amtrak are
additional areas that will challenge you. Given your proven
record of working with the Congress, and, more specifically,
with this Committee, I think we can expect you to meet these
and other challenges very successfully.
In the Department of Transportation, research and
technological advancements are keys to expanding our
transportation system so we can meet our society's growing
demands and continue to grow our economy. We'll be counting on
you, Mr. Brubaker, to make certain the agency evaluates and
develops new technologies quickly and effectively so can be
implemented as soon as practicable.
Admiral Sutton, it's a pleasure to welcome the former
Commander of Naval Station Pearl Harbor. You are now called
upon to be the voice of America's manufacturers as they face
the challenges of globalization. The entire manufacturing
sector generated just 12.1 percent of U.S. gross domestic
product in 2006, compared with 17 and a half percent in 1986.
Manufacturing employment dropped from 17.2 million in 1996 to
just over 14 million as of last year. So, obviously you have a
great challenge ahead of you.
Mr. Spoehel will be called upon, among other things, to
improve NASA's financial management system and address
weaknesses in NASA's contracting system identified by the
Government Accountability Office.
On behalf of the Committee, I thank all of you for your
willingness to serve our Nation in these very important
positions, and I'd like to call upon you. Before you do, I have
two very distinguished citizens of the United States who wish
to be heard.
First, the Honorable William S. Cohen, Member of the
Senate, a distinguished one, at one time, and a former
Secretary of Defense.
Secretary Cohen?

STATEMENT OF HON. WILLIAM S. COHEN,

FORMER U.S. SENATOR, MAINE; FORMER SECRETARY,

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Secretary Cohen. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
And let the record show--Mr. Chairman, perhaps the record
should show your dedication to efficiency, that you actually
started the hearing 1 minute before the appointed hour, and
that that testifies to your commitment to efficiency and
productivity.
But let me thank you for allowing me to come and testify
before you this morning. As you pointed out, I had the
privilege of serving with you for 18 years, and we worked
together in an indirect way when I was a member of the House of
Representatives during the Watergate period, where I served on
the House Judiciary Committee and you were on the Watergate
Committee, and then, subsequent to that, some 12 years or more
later, on the Iran-Contra Investigation. And I just want the
record to show what extraordinary respect I have for you and
the honor with which you have served as a member of the Senate,
and, prior to that, as a heroic member of our Armed Forces.
So, thank you for allowing me to come before you this
morning. I would like to, first, acknowledge Paul Brubaker's
wife, Carolyn, and his sons, Jackson and Gavin, who are sitting
behind me, and also welcome Paul's mother-in-law, Ruth Ann
Renford, to the proceeding.
And I want you to know how much pleasure and pride I take
in introducing Paul today, to endorse his nomination to become
Administrator of the Department of Transportation's Research
and Innovative Technology Administration.
Paul began working for me and the staff of the Senate
Governmental Affairs Committee back in 1992, on the oversight
Committee that I was chairing and that Senator Levin was the
Ranking Member. He began his position as an investigator,
which--for which he was well suited, having served some 6 years
at GAO, and, within a very short time, I had promoted him as
Staff Director, because of his great drive and enthusiasm, a
position which was preceded by another distinguished Member of
this body, Senator Susan Collins.
Paul was deeply involved in many of the investigations and
the reform proposals that grew out of those hearings that were
held by Senator Levin and me, and perhaps most notably was one
of the leading forces behind the 1996 Clinger-Cohen Act, which
reformed the Government's IT procurement processes. I'd like to
note, for the record, that, in Maine, we call it the Cohen-
Clinger Act, but, nonetheless, the official title is Clinger-
Cohen.
Paul--when I went to the Department of Defense, Paul joined
me, and then served as Deputy Chief Information Officer, and
later, he was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for
C4I. He applied his great political, policy, and budgetary
skills to administer department-wide IT initiatives that
affected our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines around the
world, and he brought great energy, creativity, and private-
sector experience to policies and investments in technology and
the communications that benefited the DOD enterprise.
After he left government, in 2001, he built two small
businesses, from the ground up. In his current position, as CEO
of Procentrix, Inc., he has provided his customers with
dramatic improvements in mission performance. In 6 months, Paul
turned Procentrix into one of the Federal Computer Week's top
ten organizations for the year 2006. And, again, he proves his
talent for facing very complex challenges.
The Research and Innovative Technology Administration
within the Department of Transportation, it performs a vital
function in America's transportation network. We see increasing
evidence that transportation technology is intimately tied to
America's security and commerce, our public health and civic
life.
September 11, Hurricane Katrina, and the war in Iraq have
shown us that a successful RITA Administrator must be able to
see beyond the bits and bytes of information technology to
grasp a larger picture, and that's one of Paul's many
strengths.
America's transportation technology needs will test an
administrator's vision, his critical-thinking, and problem-
solving. And I know that Paul Brubaker is going to pass those
tests with great vigor and grace. He has my highest confidence,
and I hope you will confirm him for this post.
Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. I thank you very much, Mr. Secretary.
And now, I have the privilege of calling upon Alaska's
Senator, Senator Murkowski, daughter of the Governor, and
Senator.

STATEMENT OF HON. LISA MURKOWSKI,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA

Senator Murkowski. Good morning, Mr. Chairman. I am
delighted to be before the Committee to introduce a friend and
a fellow Alaskan, Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett, who is
President Bush's nominee to serve as the Deputy Secretary of
Transportation.
I have known Admiral Barrett and his wife, Sheila, since my
service in the Alaska State legislature, back in Juneau, when
Admiral Barrett was serving as the Commander of the 17th Coast
Guard District. At that time, I had an opportunity to come to
know Admiral Barrett, his wife, his family, just as genuine
Alaskans. Now, I must tell you, they hail from other parts of
the country, but we have adopted them as Alaskans. We know that
their heart--when they left the state, a part of their heart
was left with us, and we are glad to call them Alaskans.
I would also like to recognize not only his wife, Sheila,
but also his family. They have four children; two sons, who
have served honorably in Iraq. The family has contributed in so
many different ways.
Admiral Barrett has a very distinguished background:
graduated from the Coast Guard Officer Candidate School, was
commissioned in 1969, served in Vietnam, earned a law degree
from George Washington, graduated in residence from the Army
War College. He, as I indicated, had served as the Commander of
the 17th Coast Guard District in Alaska, but, again,
responsibilities and duties all over, including the Office of
Chief Counsel, the project staff for Outer Continental Shelf
Safety, Security, and Environmental Protection. He truly,
again, has served our country with distinction and honor.
I was able to introduce Admiral Barrett at a hearing, just
last year, when he was named as the first Pipeline and
Hazardous Material Safety Administrator for the Department of
Transportation. That was back in May of 2006. He served in that
capacity incredibly well. I had the opportunity to deal with
him on some very difficult issues, but found a man who not only
knew his background, but was an incredible administrator,
incredible leader, and greatly appreciated that service.
He has continued to hold that post as the Pipeline and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator while simultaneously
taking on the duties as the Acting Deputy Secretary of
Transportation. This--these additional duties came on in March
of this year.
When he contacted me to let me know that he had been
nominated by the President for this, I told him that I had some
mixed feelings. I didn't want to lose him and all the focus
that he had given in his capacity, but he assured me that he
would remain committed to all that we had been working on,
while, at the same time, stepping up to assume the
responsibilities as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. I have
every reason to believe that the 40 years of service that he
has provided to this country will continue to be built upon in
an exemplary manner.
I am delighted, this morning, to introduce Admiral Barrett
and to recommend him for confirmation as the Deputy Secretary
of Transportation.
The Chairman. I thank you very much, Senator Murkowski.
Thank you, Mr. Secretary.
Senator Olympia Snowe has asked me to announce her very
strong support for the nomination of Mr. Brubaker, in light of
his service to the citizens of the State of Maine.
Unfortunately, because of scheduling conflicts, she cannot be
with us, but she urged me to convey her regret in not being
able to attend this meeting. Her full statement in support of
Mr. Brubaker will be made part of the record.
In addition, Senators Warner and Webb, of Virginia, have
submitted statements in support of Mr. Spoehel.
Our first witness is Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett, United
States Coast Guard (Retired). He was nominated for Deputy
Secretary-Designate, U.S. Department of Transportation.
Admiral Barrett? Would you care to introduce your family? I
notice that you have a--half the audience, here.

STATEMENT OF VICE ADMIRAL THOMAS J. BARRETT,

USCG (RET.), NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Admiral Barrett. Mr. Chairman, thank you so much. I'd be
delighted to introduce my wife, Sheila, and also, frankly,
thank her for her support over the years to me, personally, to
our family--we have four terrific kids, Tom, who is here, Matt,
Becky, and Paul--and her service to our country. Both Tom, who
is a Major in the United States Army--I'm extraordinarily proud
of, and his wife, Jill--and our youngest son, Paul--are combat
veterans from Iraq. And our other two kids are terrific. But
Sheila has been instrumental in forging that family and that
commitment. And I thank you for the opportunity to acknowledge
them, sir.
The Chairman. Please rise.
[Applause.]
The Chairman. Admiral, it's yours, now.
Admiral Barrett. Mr. Chairman, good morning, again.
I am deeply honored, and welcome the opportunity to appear
before you today with these other distinguished nominees as you
consider my nomination to serve as Deputy Secretary of the
United States Department of Transportation.
I'm honored to have been nominated by the President for
this important responsibility, and, if confirmed, I look
forward to energetically supporting Secretary Peters and our
leadership team at the Department. And I commit to you that I
will fully dedicate myself to ensuring the Department meets its
vital obligations to the American public and continuing to work
closely with you, the Committee, and your staff.
Mr. Chairman, as you indicated earlier, the Department of
Transportation plays a vital role for our Nation. Along with
its operating modes, it administers comprehensive nationwide
programs to protect our citizens and communities from risks to
life, health, property, and the environment that are inherent
in all modes of transportation. Department programs help
develop, sustain, and maintain the air, surface, and maritime
transportation systems that are a foundation of Americans'
personal freedom and commercial mobility.
And, as you indicated, America's economic vitality, its
continued economic growth and ability to compete in a global
economy depend upon dynamic and reliable transportation
systems.
Secretary Peters has focused the Department on safety, on
improving transportation systems performance, including
reducing congestion, and on bringing forward 21st century
solutions to the transportation challenges we face. And, if
confirmed, I look forward to advancing these priorities.
Mr. Chairman, I believe my experience as Administrator of
the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, as
Chief Operating Officer of the Potomac Institute for Policy
Studies, and my 35 years of experience in the Coast Guard in a
broad range of assignments has provided me the management,
leadership, and teamwork skills to succeed in the position for
which I have been nominated. The experience has given me an
excellent perspective on how organizations and their personnel
work, how to maintain focus on mission objectives and achieve
the performance that the administration, the Congress, you, and
the public expects.
My experiences have forged a bedrock commitment to safety,
like yours, Mr. Chairman, and I appreciate your leadership in
this area in the times I've appeared before you.
I drive to constantly improve organizational performance,
and a commitment to never ignore the people who carry out the
Department's missions from the front lines. I fully appreciate
the value of partnering with other Federal agencies, states,
stakeholders, the public, and the Congress to build effective
enterprise solutions to transportation challenges. I also
understand and appreciate the need to work closely with the
Department's Chief Budget Officer, the Inspector General, the
Office of Management and Budget, and the Government
Accountability Office to ensure the Department's programs are
managed effectively and with efficiency.
As Acting Deputy Secretary since March, I have also had the
opportunity to closely observe and develop hands-on experience
on major policy and management issues facing the Department.
Mr. Chairman, I reiterate my commitment to you that, if
confirmed, I will work, each and every day, as hard as I
possibly can to effectively carry out the duties entrusted to
me and to the Department.
Thank you very much, sir, and I'm pleased to respond to any
questions you may have.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of
Admiral Barrett follow:]

Prepared Statement of Admiral Thomas Barrett, Nominee to be Deputy
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Vice Chairman, and other distinguished Members of
the Committee, I am honored and welcome the opportunity to appear
before you today with these other distinguished nominees as you
consider my nomination to serve as Deputy Secretary of the United
States Department of Transportation. I am honored to have been
nominated by the President for this important responsibility and, if
confirmed, I look forward to energetically supporting Secretary Mary
Peters and her leadership team at the Department. I commit to you that
I will fully dedicate myself to helping ensure the Department meets its
vital obligations to the American public, and continuing to work
closely with you, the Committee and your staff.
Mr. Chairman, as you know, the Department of Transportation plays a
vital role for our Nation. The Department and its operating modes
administer comprehensive, nationwide programs to protect our citizens
and communities from risks to life, health, property and the
environment inherent in all modes of transportation. Departmental
programs help develop, sustain and maintain the air, surface and
maritime transportation systems that are a foundation of American
personal freedom and commercial mobility. We all know America's
economic vitality, continued economic growth and ability to compete in
a global economy depend upon dynamic and reliable transportation
systems. Secretary Peters has focused the Department on safety,
improving transportation systems performance including reducing
congestion, and bringing forward 21st century solutions to
transportation challenges. If confirmed, I look forward to advancing
these priorities.
I believe my experience as the Administrator of the Pipelines and
Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, as the Chief Operating
Officer of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, and 35 years of
experience in the Coast Guard in a broad range of assignments has
provided me the management, leadership and teamwork skills to succeed
in the position for which I have been nominated. This experience has
given me an excellent perspective on how organizations and their
personnel work, how to ensure and maintain focus on mission objectives
and achieve the performance that the Administration, the Congress and
the public expects. My experience has forged a bedrock commitment to
safety, a drive to constantly improve organizational performance, and a
commitment to never ignore the circumstances of the people who carry
out Department missions from the front lines. I fully appreciate the
value of partnering with other Federal agencies, states, stakeholders,
the public and the Congress to build effective enterprise solutions to
transportation challenges. I also understand the need to work closely
with the Department's Chief Budget Officer, the Inspector General, the
Office of Management and Budget and the Government Accountability
Office to ensure the Department's programs are managed effectively and
with efficiency. As Acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation since
March, I have also had the opportunity to closely observe and develop
hands-on experience on the major policy and management issues facing
the Department.
Mr. Chairman, I reiterate my commitment to you that, if confirmed,
I will work each and every day as hard as I possibly can to effectively
carry out the duties entrusted to me and to the Department.
I thank you and am pleased to respond to any questions you may
have.
______

a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Barrett,
Thomas J., Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, (Retired).
2. Position to which nominated: Deputy Secretary, United States
Department of Transportation.
3. Date of Nomination: June 11, 2007.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):

Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: 1200 New Jersey Ave., SE, Washington, DC 20590.

5. Date and Place of Birth: January 15, 1947; New York, NY.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).

Spouse: Sheila M. Barrett, Docent/Executive Assistant, Women in
Military Service to America Memorial.

Children: (Major) Thomas J. Barrett, 34; Matthew D. Barrett,
32; Rebecca S. (Barrett) Cooney, 29; Paul P. Barrett, 24.

7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.

B.S., LeMoyne College, Syracuse, NY, 1968.
Juris Doctor (with honors), George Washington University,
Washington, DC, 1976.

8. List all post-graduate employment, and highlight all management-
level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to the position
for which you are nominated.

Post-graduate Employment:

Scandinavian Airlines System, Kennedy Airport, NY, summer 1969.

United States Coast Guard, 1969-2004.

Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, 2005-2006.

United States Department of Transportation, 2006-present.

Management Level Jobs Held:

Acting Deputy Secretary, U.S. DOT.

Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, U.S. DOT.

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Potomac Institute
for Policy Studies.

Vice Commandant, United States Coast Guard.

Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District and Naval Forces
Alaska.

Director, Reserve and Training, United States Coast Guard.

Commanding Officer, Support Center Kodiak Alaska, United States
Coast Guard.

Chief, Legal Programs and Policy, United Stated Coast Guard.

Deputy Commander, Maintenance and Logistics Command, Atlantic,
United States Coast Guard.

Deputy Chief, Personnel and Training, United States Coast
Guard.

Executive Officer, USCG Base/Support Center, Kodiak, Alaska.

District Legal Officer, Seventeenth Coast Guard District,
United States Coast Guard.

Other Related Jobs:

Outer Continental Shelf Safety Staff, Office of Marine Safety
and Environmental Protection, United States Coast Guard.

Claims and Litigation Staff, Office of Chief Counsel, United
States Coast Guard Deck Officer, USCGC CHASE.

9. Attach a copy of your resume. A copy of my resume is attached.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years: None.
11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational or other institution within the last 5 years.

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Potomac Institute
for Policy Studies.

Director, National Capital Chapter, Navy League of the United
States.

12. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age or handicap.

Memberships

District of Columbia Bar, 1976-present.

Reserve Officers Association, 1997-present.

Navy League of the United States, 2004-present.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, 1999-present.

Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association, 2003-present.

U.S. Naval Institute, 1976-present.

Army War College Alumni Association, 1989-present.

Juneau Alaska Downtown Rotary Association, 1999-2002.

Alaska State Chamber of Commerce, Coast Guard Liaison, 2001-
2002.

North Pacific Fisheries Management Council (non-voting member),
1999-2002.

Navy Enlisted Reserve Association, 1997-1999.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy Board of Trustees, 1997-1999.

None of these organizations restricts membership on the basis
of sex, race, religion, national origin, age or handicap.

13. Have you ever been a candidate for public office? If so,
indicate whether any campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and
whether you are personally liable for that debt: I have never been a
candidate for public office.
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years: None.
15. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.

Military Awards

Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal.

Legion of Merit (5 awards).

Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal.

Coast Guard Commendation Medal (2 awards).

Coast Guard Achievement Medal.

National Defense Service Medal (with 2 bronze stars).

Humanitarian Service Medal.

Vietnam Service Medal (with 2 bronze stars).

Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Secretary of Transportation 9/11 Medal.

Secretary of Defense Service Badge.

Commandant of the Coast Guard Staff Service Badge.

Command Ashore Badge.

Foreign Awards from the Republic of Georgia, Argentina, and
Malta.

Civic Awards

Citations for Service--18th Alaska Legislature; 22nd Alaska
Legislature.

Commendation--Kodiak Island Borough.

Commendation--Kodiak Island Borough School District.

Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Exceptional
Service Award.

Special Olympics--Special Friend Award.

Scholarships

New York State Regents College Scholarship.

Teamsters College Scholarship.

16. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others, and any speeches that you have
given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed.

Articles

The Guardian, Challenges and the Road Ahead (Commercial Vehicle
Safety Alliance), Second Quarter 2007.

American Gas, April 2007, Enterprise Approach to Pipeline
Safety and Reliability.

PHMSA Focus Administrator's Column (Quarterly).

Deepwater Methods to Reduce Systems of Systems Risks (IEEE SMC
2005 Conference).

Defending Ports (National Defense, May 2004).

Naval Forces Magazine, One Team One Fight, Issue # 4/03.

Coast Guard Oral History Project--Attack on America, September
11, 2001.

Coast Guard Reservist Magazine--From the Bridge Columns, Tri-
Monthly 1997-1999.

Federal Maritime Commission Jurisdiction, George Washington
University Law Review Notes, 1976.

Remarks relevant to the position for which nominated while at the
Department of Transportation:

Department of Transportation Telework Forum.
Topic: Expanding Telework in the Department of Transportation.
June 18, 2007.
Washington, D.C.
Department of Transportation's Asian Pacific Islander Month
Celebration.
Topic: Contributions of Asian Pacific Americans to the
Department of Transportation and the United States.
May 16, 2007.
Washington, D.C.

Bear Stearns Global Transportation Conference.
Topic: Intersection of Transportation and the Economy.
May 9, 2007.
New York, NY.

American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA)
and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers
(AIAM) International Auto Summit.
Topic: Importance of a Safe and Efficient Transportation System
in America.
May 8, 2007.
Washington, D.C.

Common Ground Alliance Congressional Reception.
Topic: Remarks on the Nationwide Campaign ``Call 811--Before
You Dig''.
April 30, 2007.
Washington, D.C.

Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Materials Annual
Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Remarks on Transportation of Hazardous
Materials.
April 24, 2007.
Scottsdale, AZ.

American Petroleum Institute Annual Pipeline Conference.
Topic: Keynote Remarks on Pipeline Safety Leadership,
Transparency, and Energy Reliability.
April 18, 2007.
Albuquerque, NM.

Regional Emergency Transportation Coordinators &
Representatives Annual Conference.
Topic: Secretary's Response Goals for the Year to Come.
April 11, 2007.
Via Teleconference from Washington, D.C.

Combined Federal Campaign Closing Ceremony.
Topic: Thanks to DOT employees who supported the Combined
Federal Campaign.
April 5, 2007.
Washington, D.C.

Keynote Address at the Motor Carrier Safety Association
Conference.
Topic: Importance of Safe and Efficient Transportation Systems
in America.
March 26, 2007.
Atlanta, GA.

Chlorine Institute's Annual Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Remarks on Risk Management.
March 20, 2007.
Houston, TX.

Compressed Gas Association Annual Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Remarks on Risk Management.
March 19, 2007.
St. Petersburg, FL.

Common Ground Alliance Annual Meeting.
Topic: Enterprise Approach to Reducing Significant Safety Risk.
March 7, 2007.
Orlando, FL.

American Gas Association Annual Board Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Address on Partnerships, Energy Reliability,
Transparency, and Leadership.
February 19, 2007.
Washington, D.C.

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Research
and Development Public Conference.
Topic: The Importance of Investing in R&D to Safe Energy
Infrastructure.
February 7, 2007.
New Orleans, LA.

Interstate Natural Gas Association of America Annual Board
Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Remarks on System Risk Management, Partnerships,
Transparency, Energy Reliability, and Leadership.
January 25-26, 2007.
Houston, TX.

Cooperative Hazardous Materials Enforcement and Development
Annual Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Remarks on System Risk Management, Partnerships,
Transparency, and Leadership.
January 23, 2007.
Salt Lake City, UT.

Association of Oil Pipe Lines/American Petroleum Institute's
Winter Meeting.
Topic: Importance of Data Driven System Risk Management,
Leadership, Transparency, and Energy Reliability.
November 30, 2006.
Washington, D.C.

Dangerous Goods Advisory Council Annual Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Address on System Risk Management, Partnerships,
Transparency, and Leadership.
November 16, 2006.
Crystal City, VA.

Pipeline Safety Trust Annual Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Address on Enforcement Transparency and Public/
Community Involvement in Safety Issues.
November 3, 2006.
New Orleans, LA.

National Association of State Pipeline Safety Representatives.
Topic: Keynote Address on State Partnerships, Enforcement
Transparency, Energy Reliability, and Leadership.
November 2, 2006.
Little Rock, AK.

Emergency Preparedness Grant Announcement for First Responders.
Topic: Grant Announcement.
October 26, 2006.
Houston, TX.

Emergency Preparedness Grant Announcement for First Responders.
Topic: Grant Announcement.
October 25, 2006.
Monroe, LA.

Emergency Preparedness Grant Announcement for First Responders.
Topic: Grant Announcement.
October 19, 2006.
Oakland, CA.

Arizona Emergency Response Commission Annual Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Remarks on Emergency Response Readiness,
Training, and the Value of Partnerships.
October 17, 2006.
Casa Grande, AZ.

Emergency Preparedness Grant Announcement for First Responders.
Topic: Grant Announcement.
October 17, 2006.
Phoenix, AZ.

Listening Session with Alaska Congressional Delegation.
Topic: PHMSA Actions to Oversee BP Performance.
October 13, 2006.
Anchorage, AK.

Emergency Preparedness Grant Announcement for First Responders.
Topic: Grant Announcement.
October 12, 2006.
Bellevue, WA.
International Vessel Operators Hazardous Materials Association
Annual Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Remarks on the Importance of System Risk
Management, Partnerships for Safety Results, Transparency, and
Leadership.
October 11, 2006.
Long Beach, CA.

American Steel Factory.
Topic: Jobs and Our Economy, Pipeline Manufacturing Quality
Assurance.
October 10, 2006.
Birmingham, AL.

Emergency Preparedness Grant Announcement for First Responders.
Topic: Grant Announcement.
October 9, 2006.
Philadelphia, PA.

Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Address on BP Pipeline Oversight.
October 7, 2006.
Kodiak, AK.

Emergency Preparedness Grant Announcement for First Responders.
Topic: Grant Announcement.
October 4, 2006.
Pittsburgh, PA.

National Association of State Fire Marshals.
Topic: ``Prevention through People'', Systems Risk Management,
Partnerships, and Leadership.
October 3, 2006.
College Station, TX.

American Pyrotechnics Association Annual Meeting.
Topic: Keynote Remarks on Risk Management and Enforcement
Transparency.
September 16, 2006.
Nashville, TN.

Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Annual
Enforcement Meeting.
Topic: Remarks on Data Driven, System Risk Management,
Inspection, and Enforcement; Resource Allocation.
September 13, 2006.
Solomons Island, MD.

National Association of State Fire Marshals Annual Meeting.
Topic: Brief Remarks, Awards.
August 12, 2006.
Washington, D.C.

Interested Parties on Hazardous Materials Transportation.
Topic: Safety Issues Pertaining to the Transportation of
Hazardous Materials.
July 26, 2006.
Washington, D.C.

Pipeline Safety Trust Board/Family Members of Bellingham
Accident.
Topic: Thanks for Work to Advance Pipeline Safety and PHMSA
Commitment to Safe Operations.
July 6, 2006.
Bellingham, WA.

Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration's Technical Standards Committee.
Topic: PHMSA's Role in Promoting the Safe Transportation of
Hazardous Materials.
June 28, 2006.
Washington, D.C.

Department of Veterans Affairs.
Topic: Award Acceptance, Speech at their 5th Annual Champions
of Veterans Enterprise Program.
June 14, 2006.
Washington, D.C.
Remarks while at Potomac Institute for Policy Studies:

Panelist
Topic: Stun Guns--Safety of Use.
Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Workshop.
February 23-24 2005.
Arlington, VA.

Panelist
Topic: Role of the Military in Combating Terrorism.
Potomac Institute for Policy Studies Workshop.
May 17, 2005.
Arlington, VA.

Coast Guard Innovation Conference.
Topic: The New Security Environment.
May 4, 2005.
San Jose, CA.

34th Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis and Fletcher School
Conference.
Topic: Security Planning and Military Transformation after
Iraqi Freedom.
December 4, 2003.
Washington, D.C.

I spoke regularly on service-related issues and priorities while
Coast Guard Vice Commandant, Coast Guard Commander in Alaska and
Director of Coast Guard Director of Reserve and Training in multiple
public forums. Audiences included Coast Guard personnel, stakeholders,
civic organizations, and the general public. I do not have records
reflecting these events.

17. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony.
(All appearances were in a governmental capacity)

House Appropriations Committee.
Topic: Hearing on Surface Transportation Safety and PHMSA FY 08
Budget Request.
March 29, 2007.
Washington, D.C.

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Topic: Hearing on Hazardous Materials Rail Security.
January 18, 2007.
Washington, D.C.

Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.
Topic: Hearing on the Pipeline Safety Reauthorization.
November 16, 2006.
Washington, D.C.

House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
Topic: Hearing on the Oversight of BP Prudhoe Bay Pipelines.
September 13, 2006.
Washington, D.C.

Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Topic: Hearing on the Oversight of BP Pipelines.
September 12, 2006.
Washington, D.C.

House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Topic: Oversight and Investigations of the BP Prudhoe Bay
Pipelines.
September 7, 2006.
Washington, D.C.

House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Topic: Oversight Hearing on Discussion Draft of the Pipeline
Safety and Reliability Act of 2006.
July 27, 2006.
Washington, D.C.

House Committee on Government Reform.
Topic: Government/Industry Preparedness for 2006 Hurricane
Season.
June 2, 2006.
Washington, D.C.
House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Marine Transportation.
Topic: Coast Guard Integrated Deepwater System.
April 26, 2004.
Washington, D.C.

Subcommittee on Oceans and Fisheries.
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Topic: Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management
Act.
June 18, 2000.
Anchorage, AK.

18. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that
position?
From my service in the United States Coast Guard, work at Potomac
Institute, and most recently as the first Administrator of the Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), I gained broad
experience at both the operational and policy level related to
transportation, transportation safety, transportation security,
environmental protection, systems risk management, strategic planning,
program budget planning and execution, public communication, and
outreach. I understand and appreciate the value of partnering with
other Federal agencies, states, stakeholders, the public, and the
Congress to build effective enterprise solutions to transportation
challenges. I understand the need and processes for effective and
transparent Federal oversight and enforcement of Federal laws and
regulations, the need to exercise fiscal discipline in Federal
programs, the importance of sound performance measures, and the need
for close attention to the capabilities, development, and performance
of the Federal employees who carry out the Department missions on a
daily basis.
If confirmed by the Senate, I strongly desire to serve as Deputy
Secretary of Transportation because I truly believe the Department's
missions are crucial to the safety, mobility and well-being of the
American public and critical to continued growth of the American
economy. I believe I have the requisite skills, experience and
determination to affect a strong positive influence on Department
mission outcomes. I am also energized by the leadership of Secretary of
Transportation Mary Peters and desire to help advance her priorities
for the Department.
19. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency has proper management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
If confirmed, I believe the Deputy Secretary is obligated to work
closely with the Assistant Secretary for Budget (the CFO), the modal
administrators, and in step with the recommendations of the Inspector
General of the Department, the Office of Management and Budget, and the
Government Accountability Office to ensure that Departmental programs
have appropriate management and accounting controls, which are properly
adhered to. Further, I believe that if gaps are uncovered, it is the
responsibility of the Deputy Secretary to direct suitable and timely
actions to correct any problems. My experience includes direct
management responsibility for Federal program planning, budgeting,
execution, oversight, and personnel leadership at multiple levels,
including significant operational and program oversight
responsibilities for a 46,000-person Federal agency with a $6.5 billion
budget as the Coast Guard Vice Commandant. As Administrator for the
Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration since June 2006,
and most recently as Acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation, I have
also had the opportunity to closely observe and directly support the
priorities of former Secretary Norman Mineta and Secretary Mary Peters
and gain further hands-on experience on the current major policy and
management issues facing the Department of Transportation.
20. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
The following describes what I believe to be the top three
challenges facing the Department of Transportation:

1. Improving transportation safety is an abiding Department
responsibility, the Department's highest priority and greatest
challenge. Safe travel is the expectation of the public, and
the consequences of failure are tragic for individuals,
families, and our communities. Despite steady safety progress
in many areas of transportation, more remains to be done, and
safety issues demand unrelenting attention.

2. Improving transportation systems performance. The ability of
U.S. transportation systems to move products and people
efficiently is vital to our security, economy, and ability to
compete effectively in a global marketplace. It underpins our
individual freedom to live and work where and how as we choose.
Our current transportation systems are strained to capacity,
challenged by aging infrastructure, and hobbled by outdated
policies and technology. We need to improve how we build,
sustain, and grow this crucial national capability, bringing
new approaches and 21st century solutions to bear.

3. Ensuring the high quality performance of the Federal DOT
workforce. Simply put, our strength is in the performance of
our people; the DOT workforce is aging, and recruiting and
retention of qualified personnel, especially in technical and
engineering areas is an increasing challenge. We need to
successfully position this workforce to meet future Federal
transportation requirements.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers.
I have a 403(b) retirement plan funded while I was working at
Potomac Institute. I have severed my employment and business
association with Potomac Institute and Potomac Institute no longer
makes any contributions to the plan. I have no other financial or
deferred compensation arrangements.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain.
I have no such commitments or agreements.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
None other than common stock in Nationwide Financial Services,
referred to in the attached Deputy General Counsel opinion letter.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 5 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated: None.
5. Describe any activity during the past 10 years in which you have
been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy.
None other than official duties with the Coast Guard and the
Department of Transportation related to the execution of U.S. laws and
policies.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
In accordance with the attached letter of the Deputy General
Counsel.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? If so, please explain. No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? If so, please explain. No.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
5. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: None.
6. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion or any
other basis? If so, please explain.
While serving as the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Support
Center at Kodiak, Alaska, I was accused (informally) by a petty officer
of harassment because I ordered her to see a Coast Guard physician to
evaluate whether she was suicidal. At the time, I had reason to believe
she might have been. The complaint was informally investigated and
dismissed.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______

resume of thomas j. barrett, vice admiral, uscg (ret.)
Executive Summary
Known for strengthening organizational values, clearly identifying
strategic issues and goals, creating stakeholder partnerships, applying
sound operational and business practices. fostering teamwork across a
diverse work force, and ensuring program, policy, budget and
communications alignment. Performance characterized by outcome focus,
systems perspective, attention to people, and energetic execution.
Professional Experience
Acting Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation, March
2006 to present.

Principal Advisor to Secretary of Transportation. Provide
oversight and direction to ensure effectiveness and efficiency
of Department operating programs. COO; responsible for day-to-
day management of the Department's $61.1 million budget, 10
modal administrations, and 60,000 employees. Overseeing move of
Department Headquarters to new SE Federal Center, increasing
telecommuting by Department employees, ensuring Department
readiness for hurricanes and other disasters, strengthening
Department's safety initiatives, and identifying transportation
infrastructure obstacles to expanding alternate energy
development.

Administrator, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, President Appointed/
Senate Confirmed, June 2005 to present.

Agency CEO. Advises the Secretary of Transportation on all
matters within Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) jurisdiction. Directs national programs
for reducing risks to life and property inherent in the
transportation of hazardous materials in commerce and
transportation of liquid, natural gas, petroleum, and other
hazardous materials by pipeline. Partnered with the
Administration, Congress, and stakeholders to achieve
reauthorization of the Pipeline Safety Act, which bolsters
state excavation damage prevention programs. the largest single
cause of pipeline failures. Launched National 811 ``Call Before
You Dig'' initiative with Common Ground Alliance. Increased
oversight of British Petroleum and key national energy
infrastructure at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, following pipeline
ruptures. Worked with Congress to close oversight gaps.
Eliminated jurisdictional conflicts and improved system
oversight by agreements with the Transportation Security
Administration and the State of Alaska Department of Natural
Resources. Increased public transparency of agency enforcement
programs and focused public attention on pipeline and hazardous
materials issues.

Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Potomac Institute for
Policy Studies, January 2005-March 2006.

Directed business activities, participated in policy studies at
501(c)(3) independent policy institute focused on national
science and technology, national security, and homeland
security policy. Reduced operating costs, improved IT support,
and contributed to studies and papers related to combating
terrorism, microelectronics, non-lethal weapons, improvised
explosive devices, system of systems, and cyber defense.

Vice Commandant, United States Coast Guard, 2002 to 2004.

Second in Command of 46,000 person, $6.5 billion, maritime
Armed Force. Directed Service in Commandant's absence.
Principal policy advisor to the Commandant. Coordinated Coast
Guard Leadership Council which issued agency strategic
direction. Agency Acquisition Executive. Performance
instrumental to Coast Guard success with post-9/11 increase in
maritime security responsibilities, move to new Department of
Homeland Security, standup of Coast Guard membership in the
National Foreign Intelligence community and support to
Operation Iraqi Freedom, while sustaining other missions
including counter-drug, migrant interdiction, environmental
protection, living resource protection, and search and rescue.
Agency performance metrics positive (e.g., lives saved,
migrants interdicted, illicit drugs seized). As Acting
Commandant, directed successful response to December, 2003,
heightened security evolution, Haitian government collapse, and
the successful repatriation of thousands of migrants in
difficult circumstances while preventing an influx of refugees
into South Florida.

Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District, United States Coast
Guard, 1999 to 2002.

Directed Coast Guard operations in Alaska and the North
Pacific. Commander, Naval Forces Alaska. Delivered Operational
Excellence across all mission areas. Post-9/11, devised and
implemented a robust maritime security program to detect and
deter terrorist threats that was fully integrated with Alaska
Command, the Department of Justice, and the State of Alaska.
Accident-free search and rescue program with 675 lives saved in
over 2,200 cases. Implemented proactive, non-regulatory safety
programs (Ready for Sea) to reduce risk. Partnered with state
and Federal agencies, tanker and terminal operators to improve
system risk management and safety of petroleum and shipping
movements in Prince William Sound/Port of Valdez. Partnered
with Federal and state agencies, cruise ship industry, interest
groups and concerned citizens to sustain cruise ship activity
while reducing harmful discharges into Alaskan waters. Led
protection of Alaskan Fisheries through expanded enforcement to
deter illegal high-seas driftnet fishing and maritime boundary
incursions. Achieved the most foreign vessel seizures in 15
years and an 80 percent reduction in incursions. Built close
partnership with the Russian Federal Border Service. To reduce
safety risks, partnered with the State of Alaska to delay
fisheries openings when storms forecast.

Director of Reserve and Training, United Stated Coast Guard, 1997
to 1999.

Directed all Coast Guard officer and enlisted training and
leadership development programs. Directed Coast Reserve.
Member, Board of Trustees, Coast Guard Academy. Expanded use of
performance technology, resulting in numerous process
improvements, including significant reduction in recruit
attrition at boot camp. Oversaw standup of new Leadership and
Development Center at Coast Guard Academy. Consolidated and
aligned all Coast Guard officer and enlisted leadership
development programs, improved personnel conduct and
performance across the agency, and restored 8,000 member
Reserve to authorized strength from 25 percent shortfall.

Deputy Commander, Maintenance and Logistic Command, Atlantic,
United States Coast Guard, 1996 to 1997.

Instrumental to relocation of 500-person engineering and
logistics command from Governors Island, NY to Norfolk, VA.
Within weeks of relocation, despite staff vacancies of up to 50
percent managed successful response to two hurricanes, TWA 800
crash, and urgent need for expanded forward support bases for
counter-drug mission in Caribbean. Expanded use of performance
metrics. Improved resource visibility helped Command meet
three-fold increase in temporary personnel demand despite
reduced pool to draw from. Increased cutter availability by
reducing unscheduled yard days.

Deputy Chief, Personnel and Training, United States Coast Guard,
1994 to 1996.

Realigned office to meet or exceed all performance goals with
24 percent reduction in staff. Revised agency personnel
policies on fraternization and sexual harassment to better
address increasing number of women service members. Introduced
strategic planning to office by in depth budget analysis, and
recouped $450,000 for reallocation to tier one objectives.

Commanding Officer, Support Center Kodiak, United States Coast
Guard, 1991 to 1994.

Developed and implemented strategic vision and initiatives that
delivered consistent ``Rock Solid'' Support by Coast Guard's
largest/most complex base. Formed environmental partnerships
with DOD, Federal, and state regulatory agencies to accelerate
clean up of waste sites. Partnered with community to provide
elementary school on base during renovation of community school
buildings. Established multiple cooperative agreements with
state and local law enforcement, fire departments, and medical
services to conserve tax funds and improve services.

Special Assistant to Chief Counsel, Chief Legal Programs and
Policy, United States Coast Guard, 1989 to 1991.

Managed all senior attorney assignments for the Chief Counsel.
Rebalanced program assets to improve program legal services
without additional resources. Overhauled program information
sharing to reduce duplication of work. Implemented electronic
and voice mail and conversion of research data to CD-ROMs, the
first such use in the Coast Guard.

Executive Officer, USCG Base/Support Center Kodiak, United States
Coast Guard, 1985 to 1988.

As part of service-wide initiative, contracted base services,
reducing costs by over $2 million annually. Coordinated
numerous CG/DOD exercises in Northern regions. Instrumental to
establishing U.S. Navy Seal training facility on Kodiak.

Principal Assistant/District Legal Officer, United States Coast
Guard, 1981 to 1985.

Provided operational and program support legal advice,
opinions, and guidance for Coast Guard operations in Alaska.
Devised process to adjudicate seized foreign fishing vessels
under the Magnuson Fishery Conservation and Management Act.
Aided successful prosecution of 18 cases. Identified fraud in
government construction contract and pursued contractor,
eliminating over $3 million in claims against the government.

Office of Marine Safety and Environmental Protection, United States
Coast Guard, 1978 to 1981.

Special Project Staff for Outer Continental Shelf Safety and
Implementation of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act.

Claims and Litigation Staff--Office of Chief Counsel, United States
Coast Guard, 1976 to 1978.

Public Affairs Officer/Aide to the District Commander, United
States Coast Guard, 1971 to 1973.

Deck Officer--USCGC CHASE (WHEC-718), United States Coast Guard,
1969 to 1971.

Vietnam Service

Education
J.D. with Honors, 1976, George Washington University, Washington,
D.C., Law Review; Coif.

B.S., Biology, 1968, Lemoyne College Syracuse, NY.

Capstone Course in National Security Strategy and Military
Capabilities, 1996, National Defense University Washington, D.C.

Military Strategic Studies, 1988-1989, Army War College, Carlisle,
PA.

Other
Security Clearance--TS/SSBI (current).

Member, District of Columbia Bar.

Member, United States Naval Institute.

Life Member, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States,
Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association.

The Chairman. I thank you very much, Admiral.
Our next nominee is Mr. Paul R. Brubaker. He has been
nominated to serve as Administrator of the Research and
Innovative Technology Administration of the Department of
Transportation.
Congratulations, and welcome, sir.

STATEMENT OF PAUL R. BRUBAKER, NOMINEE TO BE

ADMINISTRATOR, RESEARCH AND INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY

ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Mr. Brubaker. Thank you very much.
The Chairman. Would you care to introduce your family
before----
Mr. Brubaker. Yes, I'd love to----
The Chairman.--you proceed?
Mr. Brubaker.--Mr. Chairman.
My lovely wife, Carolyn here, I'd like to publicly thank
her for all the support she's given me over my career. My
little son, Gavin, who's 4, he's a wonderful little boy. And my
mother-in-law, Ruth Ann Renford. My 7-year-old, who suffers
from autism, is actually out playing in the elevators right
now, which he finds far more thrilling than Daddy's hearing,
so--but I do want to publicly thank them for being supportive
of me throughout my career.
The Chairman. Please.
[Applause.]
The Chairman. Mr. Brubaker?
Mr. Brubaker. Chairman Inouye, distinguished Members of the
Committee, it is a privilege to appear before you today, and I
appreciate your time and consideration.
I am grateful for the confidence shown in me by the
President and Secretary Peters for nominating me for this
important position.
I would also like to thank Secretary Cohen for his kind
remarks, as well as what I affectionately refer to as ``Team
Cohen,'' who is a group of former staffers and people who have
been affiliated with Secretary Cohen over the years, for their
moral support to me throughout my career.
Mr. Chairman, the constant and efficient movement of people
and goods across our country, and, indeed, around the globe, is
crucial to sustaining our global economic leadership and
ensuring the quality of life for all Americans. Yet, the
increasing demands placed on our transportation system to meet
the needs of our growing population, changing demographics, and
logistical demands of commerce are placing unprecedented stress
on our system. Overcoming these challenges will increasingly
rely on the development and deployment of new technologies and
solutions. Because of this, the Research and Innovative
Technology Administration, or RITA, plays an increasingly
important role coordinating the research and development
activities across the Department in order to maximize the
benefit of our multibillion-dollar investment in
transportation-related technologies.
I believe my government experience at the GAO, the U.S.
Senate, the Department of Defense, as well as my private-sector
experience in the technology industry, will serve me well,
should I be confirmed as the next RITA Administrator. Over the
past few decades, I've been exposed to the commercialization
and application of many transformational technologies and
innovations. And, should I be confirmed, I look forward to
working with the Department and the stakeholders to introduce
these exciting capabilities. If confirmed, I welcome the
opportunity to work with the Committee to advance our
transportation interests and maximize the benefits of
transportation-related innovation and technology to improve the
quality of life for all Americans.
Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today,
and I welcome any questions the Committee may have.
[The biographical information of Mr. Brubaker follows:]

a. biographical information and qualifications
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Paul Richard
Brubaker.
2. Position to which nominated: Administrator, Research and
Innovative Technology Administration, United States Department of
Transportation.
3. Date of Nomination: June 18, 2007.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):

Residence: Information not released to the public.

Office: 12030 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 120, Reston, Virginia
20191.

5. Date and Place of Birth: January 25, 1961; Youngstown, Ohio.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).

Spouse: Carolyn Kay Brubaker, Business Development, Microsoft
Corporation.

Children: Jackson Beil Brubaker, 7; Gavin Spencer Brubaker, 4.

7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.

B.A., Youngstown State University, 1983.
M.P.A., Kent State University, 1985.

8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.

Post-graduate Employment:

Program Manager, City of Stow, Ohio, 1984-1985.

Broker, E.F. Hutton, 1985-1986.

Evaluator and Senior Evaluator, U.S. General Accounting Office,
1987-1991.

GAO Detail, Senate Appropriations Committee, 1990-1991.

Staff Investigator, Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of
Government Management, Senate Committee on Governmental
Affairs, 1992-1993.

Management Level Jobs Held:

Republican Staff Director, Deputy Staff Director, Senate
Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, Senate
Committee on Governmental Affairs, 1993-1996.

Vice President, Business Development, Federal Data
Incorporated, 1996-1997.

Vice President, Strategic Programs, Litton PRC, 1997-1999.

Principal Director and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
(Deputy CIO), Department of Defense, 1999-2001.

President, Commerce One e-Government Solutions, 2001.

CEO, Aquilent (formerly Commerce One e-Government Solutions
Inc.), 2002.

Founder and Partner, ICG Government, 2002-2003.

Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, SI
International, 2003-2006.

CEO and Chairman of Board of Directors, Procentrix, 2006-
present.

9. Attach a copy of your resume. A copy is attached.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years.

Innovative Technology Authority (Center for Innovative
Technology).
Commonwealth of Virginia, Board Member (1998-2003), Chairman
(2001-2003).

11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last 5 years.

CEO and Director, Aquilent.

Founder and Partner, ICG Government.

Executive Vice President, SI International.

CEO and Chairman of Board of Directors, Procentrix.

Sole proprietor for condominium in Florida (created 6/07), PR
Brubaker LLC.

Memberships:

Armed Forces Communication and Electronics Association (AFCEA)
(1996-present).

Chairman Emeritus, Technical Committee (present).

Past President, DC Chapter (2006-present).

Board of Directors DC Chapter (2001-present).

Chairman, Technical Committee AFCEA International
(2004-2006).

Board Member, Technical Committee AFCEA International
(2001-2006).

President, DC Chapter (2005-2006).

Vice President, DC Chapter (2004-2005).

Treasurer, DC Chapter (2003-2004).

Secretary, DC Chapter (2002-2003).

Industry Advisory Council (2001-present).

Industry Chairman, Management of Change Conference (2001).

Information Technology Association of America (2001-present).

Northern Virginia Technology Council (2006-present).

Winston S. Churchill Centre (2002-present).

Churchill Centre Fellow (2005-2007).

Churchill Centre Associate (2006-present).

Churchill Centre Leadership Committee (2006-present).

Churchill Centre Audit Committee Member (2006-present).

Council for Excellence in Government (1996-present).

Tower Club (1996-present).

University Club of Washington, D.C. (2006-present).

13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt.
Yes. I ran for the Virginia State Senate in 1995. The campaign has
no outstanding debt.
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years. Also list all offices you
have held with, and services rendered to, a state or national political
party or election committee during the same period.

Tom Davis for Congress
(6/21/2001) $250.00
(10/21/2002) $500.00
(12/09/2003) $1,000.00
(12/13/2005) $1,000.00
(4/10/2006) $400.00
(4/10/2006) $1,100.00
(6/30/2006) $1,700.00

Collins for Senator
(10/09/2002) $500.00
(3/31/2007) $1,000.00

Snowe for Senate
(7/27/2006) $1,000.00
(10/18/2006) $1,000.00

Friends of Joe Lieberman
(11/01/2006) $500.00

Friends of George Allen
(11/12/1999) $500.00
(4/12/2003) $1,000.00
(3/23/2005) $250.00
(6/08/2005) $1,000.00

Federal Victory Fund
(8/21/2003) $500.00
(6/21/2003) $1,000.00

Bush for President
(8/05/1999) $500.00

SI International Political Action Committee
The total aggregate contribution was $8,880.

Jeannemarie Devolites for House (Virginia House of Delegates)
(1/29/2003) $500.00

Mark Earley for Governor
(7/24/2001) $1,000.00

15. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.

Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service
(with bronze palm), 2001.

Association for Federal Information Resource Management,
Government Executive of the Year, 2000.

Federal Computer Week, Federal 100, 1996 and 2002.

1. Coordination of the research activities across the
Department of Transportation, including elimination of
duplicative efforts. The Department annually spends more than
$1 billion on basic and applied research.

Research coordination is a challenge because research dollars
within the Department have historically been managed and
controlled by the various modal administrations. As a new mode.
RITA must be sensitive to history and needs of the other modes
while exercising its statutory responsibility to ensure that
these dollars yield maximum measurable returns and benefits to
the taxpayer. In order to achieve efficient coordination, I
believe it is important to bring stakeholders, both inside and
outside of the Department, to the table as partners. This
relationship-building has already begun, and RITA is well-
positioned to ensure that the Department's research investment
is coordinated, mission focused and directed in a manner that
is relevant, visible, and produces measurable results.

2. Establishing RITA's authority, within the Department of
Transportation, as the global leader in the development of
transportation technology and ensuring that such technology is
systematically and rapidly commercialized, transferred, or
otherwise made available to operators and citizens.

There is a significant amount of transportation-related
research and innovation taking place within the Department of
Transportation, University Transportation Centers, and other
publicly funded organizations. Combined with the significant
investment that is also occurring within other organizations,
RITA has an opportunity to identify and share research and
technological advances that can be timely and effectively
deployed to help us better anticipate and address our future
transportation needs. If confirmed, I intend to work to ensure
that RITA continues along the path to becoming the centralized
knowledge repository for these activities to better share
information among the modes and stakeholders, eliminate
redundant efforts, as well as to ensure smart, highly leveraged
Federal Government investment in future technology.

3. Leverage existing and developing technologies across
multiple modes.

There are many existing and developing technologies that are
directed for use in one mode but often have applicability
across multiple modes. For example, collision avoidance
technology that is developed for the airline industry may also
be applied with some modification to other modes such as
maritime or highways. Anti-fatigue efforts may also be applied
across modes. If confirmed, I would make it a priority to
ensure that RITA will look for opportunities to leverage
existing and developing technologies and innovations across all
transportation modes.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
I have a deferred compensation agreement with SI International that
has approximately $61,000 remaining that will be distributed in three
future disbursements. These disbursements are scheduled to occur at the
beginning of June each year.
If confirmed, I have agreed to resign my position from Procentrix
and divest my financial interest with the company.
My wife works for Microsoft Corporation and I anticipate recusing
myself from any dealings with Microsoft Corporation.
There are no pension or retirement accounts that are in the control
of any company, however, I have a 401(k) plan that remains under an SI
International managed custodian.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain: No.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated: Please refer to the
Deputy General Counsel's opinion letter.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 10 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated.
There are three potential conflicts that could arise. The first
involves SI International, because I still receive deferred
compensation from a program that is sponsored by them. Under the terms
of the program if SI International were to become insolvent I would no
longer receive distributions under the program and would be treated as
an unsecured creditor. Second, my position with Procentrix could be
seen as a potential conflict, although I intend to be fully divested
from ownership in Procentrix upon confirmation and will also resign as
Chairman and CEO at that time. Third, there is a potential conflict of
interest with Microsoft, my wife's employer. She receives compensation
from the company and incentive compensation directly related to the
company's performance in the U.S. Federal marketplace. I intend to
recuse myself from any dealings with RITA and any of these entities.
5. Describe any activity during the past 10 years in which you have
been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy: None.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items: Please refer to the Deputy General Counsel's Opinion letter.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? If so, please explain. No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? If so, please explain. No.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain.
Yes. In 1984, during graduate school I was cited for a noise
violation. I paid a small fine and court costs.
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis? If so, please explain. No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: None.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______

resume of paul richard brubaker
Experience

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Procentrix, Inc., 2006 to
present.

Founded innovative functional and technical consulting
organization.

Created organization focused on developing and
deploying functional and technical expertise to assist
organizations to align people, processes and
technologies to achieve dramatic and measurable
improvements in mission performance.

Built firm of seven employees and $100K in monthly
revenue serving four clients and named as one of
Federal Computer Week's Top Ten Organizations to Watch
for 2006 in 6 months.

Built standard and repeatable delivery methodology for
a variety of management processes including program
management, capital planning and investment control and
earned value management using commercial off the shelf
technologies.

Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer, SI
International, 2003 to 2006.

Created a best in class organization by aligning people,
resources and processes to achieve organizational growth goals.

Responsible for all marketing, sales, communications
and investor relations for a top 50 information
technology firm.

Planned and executed detailed growth plan that
succeeded in growing the firm's revenues from $160M to
$400M.

Built best of class processes, capabilities and tools
that will enable scaling marketing and sales activity
to support a $1B in annual revenue.

Founding Partner, ICG Government, 2002 to 2003.

Developed a small firm that provided educational programs to
improve performance of contractors in responding to government
requirements.

Created a series of networking events designed to increase
communication between senior level government officials and the
technology industry.

Grew the firm to 12 retained clients and more than $150K in
monthly revenue within the first year of operations.

Chief Executive Officer, Aquilent Inc., 2001 to 2002.

Hired by Commerce One to manage its government services
operation and quickly organized a management buyout of this 125
person professional services operation.

Led all aspects of the management buy out including securing
investment capital and banking relationships while minimizing
disruption to clients and staff.

Successfully managed the transition to the new entity and
successfully aligned organization to new mission and goals
post-acquisition.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Deputy Chief Information
Officer) 2000 to 2001; and Principal Director, Office of the Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Defense (Deputy Chief Information Officer) 1999
to 2000, United States Department of Defense, 1999 to 2001.

Aligned 120 person organization with expanded mission
requirements including the DOD response to the year 2000 date
change for mission critical systems.

Established a number of critical operational processes
including governance, capital planning and investment control,
portfolio management and policy development for Department-wide
IT initiatives.

Supervised the development of Department-wide architecture
standards and chairing numerous investment, policy and
oversight boards.

Responsible for implementation of Departmental responsibilities
under the Clinger-Cohen Act and other related laws and
regulations.

Vice President of Strategic Programs, Litton PRC McLean, 1997 to
1999.

Responsible for the redesign of the marketing and communication
activities of the company in response to the changing Federal
marketplace resulting from changes in law, policy and
government regulation.

Advised the President on reallocation of company resources and
organizational alignment to compete in the changing market to
include: bidding on contract vehicles, standing up tactical
sales activity and engaging in direct communication with
buyers.

Deputy Staff Director, 1994 to 1996; Republican Staff Director,
1992 to 1994; Chief Investigator, 1991 to 1992; Senate Subcommittee on
Oversight of Government Management, U.S. Senate, 1991 to 1996.

Responsible for planning and executing a variety of government
oversight activities on behalf of the Subcommittee Chairman
then-Senator William S. Cohen (R-Maine).

Responsible for leading all technology and acquisition-related
oversight and legislation for the Subcommittee including the
publication of the Computer Chaos report issued in 1994 and the
Information Technology Management Reform Act of 1996 (now known
as the Clinger-Cohen Act).

Evaluator, United States General Accounting Office, 1986 to 1991.

Managed a number of cost, schedule and performance audits of
Federal programs including those at the Departments of Veterans
Affairs, Education, Energy and Defense including major weapons
systems acquisition.

Selected for a 1-year assignment to the Senate Committee on
Appropriations where assignments included budget analysis on
the information technology spending of several departments
including the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and
Urban Development and the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration.

Education

Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio, 1983.

Bachelor of Arts Degree.

Kent State University, Kent, Ohio, 1985.

Master of Public Administration.

Activities

Chairman, Virginia Innovative Technology Authority (2001 to 2003);
board member (1998 to 2003). Appointed by Governor Jim Gilmore (R-
Virginia).

Chairman, Technical Committee, Armed Forces Communications and
Electronics Association (AFCEA) (2003 to 2006); Board Member (1997 to
2006).

Principal, Council for Excellence in Government (1996 to present).

President, AFCEA DC Chapter (2005 to 2006).

Information Technology Association of America (1996 to present).

Government Electronic Industries Association Board of Directors
(1996 to 1999).

Associate and Fellow, the Churchill Centre (2003 to present).

Republican Nominee for Virginia State Senate (1995).

Awards

Government Executive of the Year, Association for Federal
Information Resource Managers (AFFIRM) (2001).

Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Medal (with palm
device) (2001).

Federal Computer Week Federal 100 award (1996 and 2001).

The Chairman. I thank you very much, Mr. Brubaker.
Our next nominee will be the Chief Financial Officer of the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Mr. Ronald
Spoehel.
Mr. Spoehel?

STATEMENT OF RONALD R. SPOEHEL, NOMINEE TO BE CHIEF FINANCIAL
OFFICER, NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Mr. Spoehel. Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee,
thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today as you
consider my nomination for the position of Chief Financial
Officer of NASA. It is an honor to be here, and I am privileged
to have been nominated by the President to this post.
I also appreciate the time the Members of this Committee
have already taken to meet with me and consider my nomination.
If confirmed, I look forward to working with Members of this
Committee in addressing the challenges of maintaining America's
preeminent position in pioneering space exploration and
aeronautics, while also undertaking vigorous scientific
research programs advancing our knowledge and understanding of
our own planet.
If confirmed as NASA's CFO, I am committed to working with
Administrator Griffin, NASA's dedicated professionals,
Congress, the White House, the private sector, and other key
constituencies, to address the challenges of meeting the
President's Vision for Space Exploration and the Nation's
objectives for NASA while undertaking the mission in the most
effective and efficient manner possible, especially during a
time when there are many other competing demands for our
Nation's resources.
The position of Chief Financial Officer of any organization
carries a tremendous responsibility. It is the pivotal
interface where budget, accountability, and sound fiscal
management all reside. Over my career, I am fortunate to have
gained broad financial management and leadership experience as
an officer and an executive for more than 25 years, with a
variety of complex, multidivisional, geographically dispersed
companies, with operations serving the government and the space
community.
I am familiar with many of the challenges of providing
leadership within organizations of global size, complexity, and
scale. The challenges ahead for NASA are many, and, if
confirmed, I would make it a priority to meet with the
leadership of NASA, as well as each of the constituencies with
which NASA's CFO organization interfaces, to understand the key
challenges ahead for NASA, and to work with my staff so these
receive appropriate attention and resources to ensure NASA's
success in meeting those challenges.
I believe public service is a duty, a privilege, and an
honor. Both of my late parents had served in the Federal
Government, and I had an abiding interest in space and
aeronautics instilled as my father pursued his aerospace
engineering career, and I had an opportunity to personally
witness many of the pioneering events in the industry. I'm very
enthusiastic about the opportunity, if confirmed, to address
the challenges of the position, and to bring my financial and
leadership experience into the service of NASA and the Federal
Government.
Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, I thank you, again,
for your consideration of my nomination, and I look forward to
answering any questions you might have.
In deference to your time and the time of this Committee, I
ask that the remainder of my prepared statement, that was
presented to the Committee, be presented in its entirety and
entered into the record.
The Chairman. Without objection, so ordered.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Spoehel follow:]

Prepared Statement of Ronald R. Spoehel, Nominee to be Chief Financial
Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mr. Chairman, Vice Chairman, and Members of the Committee, thank
you for the opportunity to appear before you today as you consider my
nomination for the position of Chief Financial Officer of NASA. It is
an honor to be here and I am privileged to have been nominated by the
President to this post. I also appreciate the time Members of this
Committee already have taken to meet with me and consider my
nomination. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the Members of
this Committee in addressing the challenges of maintaining America's
preeminent position in pioneering space exploration and aeronautics,
while also undertaking vigorous scientific research programs advancing
our knowledge and understanding of our own planet.
If confirmed as the NASA Chief Financial Officer, I am committed to
working with Administrator Griffin, NASA's dedicated professionals,
Congress, the White House, the private sector, and other key
constituencies to address the challenges of meeting the President's
Vision for Space Exploration and the Nation's objectives for NASA,
while undertaking the mission in the most effective and efficient
manner possible, especially during a time when there are other
competing demands for our Nation's resources.
The position of Chief Financial Officer of any organization carries
a tremendous responsibility as the pivotal interface where budget,
accountability, and sound fiscal management all reside. It will be my
goal, if confirmed, to build upon the progress that has already been
made and continue to improve the management, performance, and results
for the Agency.
Over my career, I am fortunate to have gained broad financial
management and leadership experience as an officer and executive for
more than 25 years with a variety of complex, multi-divisional,
geographically dispersed companies with operations serving the
government and the space community. These positions include having
served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and a
member of the Board of Directors of ManTech International, a NASDAQ-
listed company which, for example, I led through the intensive process
of implementing the internal controls, accounting and financial
reporting systems necessary for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. I have also
served in general management as an executive officer of other global
technology companies with complex multi-divisional operations,
including large, established companies such as NYSE-traded Harris
Corporation.
With experience as an executive and officer of large, complex,
multi-divisional, and geographically dispersed public and private
companies, I am familiar with many of the challenges of providing
leadership within organizations of global size, complexity, and scale.
If I am confirmed, I would bring to NASA broad experience within
finance and general management, as well as particular experience in
coordinating successful audits for large multinational companies and in
implementing shared service centers, operational efficiencies, enhanced
reporting and analysis, and internal control systems, similar to many
of the requirements under the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act,
Federal Financial Management Improvement Act (FFFMIA), the Federal
Managers Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA), the Improper Payments
Information Act (IPIA), and the Government Performance Results Act
(GPRA).
The challenges ahead for NASA are many, and, if confirmed, I would
make it a priority to meet with the leadership of NASA and with my
staff, as well as each of the constituencies with which NASA's CFO
organization interfaces, to understand the current key challenges which
NASA and its CFO organization face and to work with my staff so that
these receive the appropriate attention and resources to ensure Agency
success in meeting these challenges. In particular, I would familiarize
myself with the existing NASA plan to address its financial management
challenges and assure there is a sound plan for addressing any
deficiencies. I would work with my staff to refine and implement plans
as may be appropriate and required to meet the objectives for such
plan. I would also make it a priority to work with my staff to support
Agency efforts to achieve unqualified audit opinions, maintain
appropriate financial systems, implement strong internal control
systems, and be a first-class management organization.
I believe public service is a duty, a privilege and an honor. Both
of my late parents had served in the Federal Government and I had an
abiding interest in space and aeronautics instilled as my father
pursued his aerospace engineering career and I had the opportunity to
witness many pioneering events in the industry. I am enthusiastic about
the opportunity, if confirmed, to address the challenges of the
position and to bring my financial and leadership experience into the
service of NASA and the Federal Government.
Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I thank you, again, for
your consideration of my nomination and I look forward to answering any
questions you may have.
______

a. biographical information and qualifications
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Ronald R.
Spoehel.
2. Position to which nominated: Chief Financial Officer, National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.
3. Date of Nomination: May 16, 2007.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):

Residence: Information not released to the public.

Office: Not Applicable.

5. Date and Place of Birth: October 28, 1957; Los Angeles,
California.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).

Wife: Deborah B. Spoehel, Homemaker.
Children: Elizabeth, 11; James, 8.

7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.

M.B.A. 1980 The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
M.S. Engineering 1980 The Moore School of Electrical Engineering, University of
Pennsylvania
B.S. Economics 1979 The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director,
ICx Technologies, Inc.

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director,
ManTech International Corporation.

Chairman, Alpine Partners, LLC.

Chief Executive Officer and Director, Optinel Systems, Inc.

Vice President--Corporate Development, Harris Corporation.

Senior Vice President, ICF Kaiser International Inc.

Vice President, Investment Banking, Lehman Brothers.

Vice President, Bank of American NT&SA.

Business/Program Analyst, Hughes Aircraft Company.

9. Attach a copy of your resume.
Mr. Spoehel is a private investor. Previously, he served as
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director of ICx
Technologies, an advanced technologies security solutions company.
Prior to joining ICx in 2005, Mr. Spoehel was Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer and Director of ManTech International
Corporation, a NASDAQ-listed government technology solutions company.
Prior to joining ManTech in 2003, he served as Chairman of Alpine
Partners, LLC, a private investment advisory firm he founded in 2002.
From 2000 to 2002, he served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of
Optinel Systems, Inc., an optical communications equipment company.
From 1994 to 2000. Mr. Spoehel served as Vice President--Corporate
Development of Harris Corporation, a NYSE-listed Fortune 500 global
communications equipment and defense electronics company. From 1990 to
1994, he served as Senior Vice President of ICF Kaiser International
Inc., a NYSE-listed company with global operations, in a variety of
general management roles. Prior to 1990, he served as Vice President,
Investment Banking of Lehman Brothers and as Vice President of Bank of
America.
Mr. Spoehel graduated magna cum laude from the Wharton School,
University of Pennsylvania. He also received his MBA from Wharton and
MS Engineering from the Moore School of Electrical Engineering,
University of Pennsylvania. He has served on the Board of Directors of
the Professional Services Council and the Advisory Council for the
Wharton and Engineering Schools at the University of Pennsylvania. Mr.
Spoehel has also served on the Boards of private companies both in the
U.S. and in Europe.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years: None.
11 List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last 5 years.

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director,
ICx Technologies, Inc.

Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director,
ManTech International Corporation.

Director, Professional Services Council.

Chairman, Alpine Partners, LLC.

Member, University of Pennsylvania, Engineering and Wharton
Schools EMTM Advisory Council.

Personal Representative, Estate of Edwin H. Spoehel.

Co-Trustee, Geraldine Spoehel Family Trust.

Trustee, Ronald R. Spoehel Revocable Trust.

Trustee, Deborah B. Spoehel Children's Trust.

Organization Position Dates

Current Memberships:
Economic Club of Washington, D.C. Member 2004-Present
Financial Executives Institute Member 2003-Present
Metropolitan Club of Washington, D.C. Member 1995-Present
National Association of Corporate Directors Member 2004-Present
Westwood Country Club, Vienna, Virginia Member 2005-Present
Wharton Club of Washington, D.C. Member 2003-Present

Prior Memberships:
Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Member 2003-2005
Association
Association for Corporate Growth Member 2005-2006
Eau Gallie Yacht Club Member 1995-2000
Potomac Officers Club Member 2004-2006
Professional Services Council Director 2004-2005
University of Pennsylvania, Engineering and Member 1998-2003
Wharton Schools EMTM Advisory Council

None of the above organizations restricts membership on the basis
of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age or handicap.
13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount. and whether you are
personally liable for that debt: No.
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years. Also list all offices you
have held with, and services rendered to, a state or national political
party or election committee during the same period.

ICx Technologies Inc. PAC, 2006, $1,270.

ManTech International Corporation PAC, 2004, $2,000.

Help America's Leaders PAC, 2004, $2,000.

Rick Renzi for Congress, 2004, $500.

ManTech International Corporation PAC, 2003, $2,000.

No offices with any state or national political party or election
committee have been held during the past 10 years.
15. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.

Hughes Aircraft Company Scholarship, 1979.

Junior Achievement National Award Scholarship (competitive),
1975.

Commendation from The Senate, California Legislature, July 1,
1975.

16. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others. Also list any speeches that you
have given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed. None.
17. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony: None.
18. Given the current mission. major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that
position?
Over my career, I have obtained broad financial management and
leadership experience as an officer and executive for more than 25
years with a variety of complex, multi-divisional, geographically
dispersed companies with operations serving the government and the
space community. These positions include having served as Executive
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and a member of the Board of
Directors of ManTech International, a NASDAQ-listed company which, for
example, I led through the intensive process of implementing the
internal controls, accounting and financial reporting systems necessary
for Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. I have also served in general management
as an executive officer of other global technology companies with
complex multi-divisional operations, including large, established
companies such as NYSE-traded Harris Corporation.
I believe public service is a duty, a privilege and an honor. Both
of my late parents had served in the Federal Government and I had an
abiding interest in space and aeronautics instilled as my father
pursued his aerospace engineering career and I had the opportunity to
witness many pioneering events in the industry. I am enthusiastic about
the opportunity, if confirmed, to address the challenges of the
position and to bring my financial and leadership experience into the
service of NASA and the Federal Government.
19. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency has proper management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
The position of Chief Financial Officer of any organization or
Agency carries a tremendous responsibility as the pivotal interface
where budget, accountability, and sound fiscal management all reside.
It will be my goal, if confirmed, to build upon the progress that has
already been made and continue to improve the management, performance,
and results for the Agency.
If confirmed as NASA Chief Financial Officer, I will familiarize
myself with the existing NASA plan to address its financial management
challenges and assure there is a sound plan for addressing any
deficiencies. I would work with my staff to refine and implement plans
as may be appropriate and required to meet the objectives for such
plan. I would also make it a priority to work with my staff to support
Agency efforts to achieve unqualified audit opinions, maintain
appropriate financial systems, have strong internal control systems,
and be a first-class management organization.
With experience as an executive and officer of large, complex,
multi-divisional and geographically dispersed public and private
companies, I am familiar with many of the challenges of providing
leadership within organizations of global size, complexity and scale.
If I am confirmed, I would bring to the NASA Chief Financial Officer
role broad experience both within finance and general management, as
well as in coordinating the successful audits for large multinational
companies and in implementing shared service centers, operational
efficiencies, enhanced reporting and analysis, and internal control
systems to meet Sarbanes-Oxley and other financial control
requirements. I would make it a priority to bring the clarity of
purpose, steadiness of execution, and ability to work with others that
are required for leadership in building and growing a strong, diverse
organization.
20. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
Without an opportunity to fully assess the situation, I cannot
offer an authoritative opinion at this time. However, if confirmed, I
would meet with the leadership of NASA and with my staff as well as
each of the constituencies with which NASA's CFO organization
interfaces to develop a view of the current key challenges which NASA
and its CFO organization face and work with my staffs so that these
receive the appropriate attention and resources to ensure Agency
success in meeting these challenges.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
Continued participation with Harris Corporation Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan and ManTech International Corporation 401k
Plan, and passive investment with D&S Group, LLC, a limited liability
company of which I own 50 percent of the equity.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain.
While an estate or trust may not be considered a business
association or organization. I note to ensure thorough disclosure that
I am currently personal representative (executor) of my father's estate
in an unpaid capacity and I will not receive compensation for such
services. I also am trustee for the Ronald R. Spoehel Revocable Trust,
trustee for the Geraldine Spoehel family trust, and trustee of a trust
that has been established for my children, each in an unpaid capacity
and I will not receive compensation for such services.
I presently intend to maintain my affiliation with D&S Group, LLC
solely as an owner and passive investor as referred to above in item
B.1.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
Continued ownership of common stock of ManTech International
Corporation. I also have been made aware that the following companies
in which I have a financial interest do business with NASA, although it
is not anticipated that my official duties will include matters that
will involve these companies: Cisco Systems, Inc., Walt Disney Co.,
Exxon Mobile Corp., Harris Corporation, Hewlett-Packard Co., Intel
Corp., Motorola, Inc., Staples, Inc., Texas Instruments, Inc., and
United Technologies, Inc. If a matter including one of these companies
does arise, however, I would seek advice from the NASA General Counsel
or his designated NASA ethics official about ways in which to avoid a
conflict of interest.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 10 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated.
Ownership of common stock of ManTech International Corporation and
participation in the Harris Corporation Senior Executive Retirement
Plan. Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director,
ManTech International Corporation.
5. Describe any activity during the past 10 years in which you have
been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy: None.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
If confirmed as NASA Chief Financial Officer, as required by 18
U.S.C. 208(a), I will not participate personally and substantially in
any particular matter that has a direct and predictable effect on my
financial interests or those of any other person whose interests are
imputed to me, unless I first obtain a written waiver, pursuant to
208(b)(1), or qualify for a regulatory exemption, pursuant to
208(b)(2).
I understand that my stock in ManTech International Corporation
presents a potential conflict of interest under 208(a), although it
has been determined that it is not necessary at this time for me to
divest this stock. I will not participate personally and substantially
in any particular matter that has a direct and predictable effect on
the financial interests of ManTech International Corporation, unless I
first obtain a written waiver or qualify for a regulatory exemption.
In addition, if confirmed, for the duration of my government
service: (i) I will not provide any services or management to D&S
Group, LLC including voting or any other decision-making activity and
instead, I will become solely a passive investor; (ii) I will not
communicate any instruction, preference or recommendation regarding the
investment decisions of D&S Group, LLC; (iii) I will not participate
personally and substantially in any particular matter that has a direct
and predictable effect on the financial interests of D&S Group, LLC,
unless I first obtain a written waiver; (iv) I understand it will be my
responsibility to monitor the holdings of D&S Group, LLC in order to
determine whether it has acquired any financial interest that poses a
potential conflict with the duties of my position and in the event any
such acquisition occurs, I will notify and consult with the NASA
General Counsel or his designated NASA ethics official about ways in
which to avoid a conflict of interest; and, (v) I will not communicate
with any investor or prospective investor about D&S Group, LLC.
I understand that the U.S. Office of Government Ethics has issued
certain regulatory exemptions to 18 U.S.C. 208 that depend on the
aggregate value of financial interests affected by a particular matter.
I understand that the de minimis thresholds for these exemptions vary
depending upon whether a particular matter involves specific panics or
whether it is a particular matter of general applicability. While I
understand that these exemptions may, in appropriate cases, permit me
to participate in matters affecting entities in which I have financial
interests, I will be aware of the specific limitations of these
exemptions and remain alert to the potential that my financial
interests may increase in value beyond these de minimis thresholds. In
the event there is a need for my participation in matters affecting
entities in which I have such financial interests, I will work with a
NASA ethics official to take appropriate steps to prevent any conflict.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? If so, please explain. No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? If so, please explain.
While an officer of Bank of America. Lehman, ICF Kaiser, Harris
Corporation. and ManTech International Corporation, there may have been
proceedings or litigation during my affiliation with those
organizations; however, I was not personally named or involved in any
proceedings or litigation.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis? If so, please explain. No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: None.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.

The Chairman. And I thank you very much, Mr. Spoehel.
Rear Admiral William Sutton, United States Navy (Retired),
nominee for the Assistant Secretaryship for Manufacturing and
Services, United States Department of Commerce.
Welcome, sir, good to see you again.

STATEMENT OF REAR ADMIRAL WILLIAM G. SUTTON,

USN (RET.), NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY

FOR MANUFACTURING AND SERVICES,

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Admiral Sutton. Yes, sir, Senator, good to see you, too.
Mr. Chairman, distinguished Members of the Committee, it's
truly an honor to appear before you today as the nominee for
the position of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for
Manufacturing and Services within the International Trade
Administration.
I want to thank President Bush and Secretary Gutierrez for
expressing their confidence in me through this nomination. And,
if confirmed, it will be an honor to undertake this challenge.
First, I would also like to introduce some members of my
family who are here with me today.
The Chairman. Oh, please do. I'm sorry.
Admiral Sutton. My wife, Claudia, who has had the toughest
job in the world, which is being a Navy wife, her sister,
Cynthia, and our two lovely nieces, Meredith and Caroline.
[Applause.]
Admiral Sutton. Also, I'd like to recognize my fellow
nominees here on the panel. And, if confirmed, I look forward
to joining government service alongside them once again.
Over the last several weeks, I have enjoyed meeting with
many of you and your staff members, and have noted, and do
appreciate, both your concerns and your words of encouragement.
And, if confirmed, I look forward to continuing this dialogue
and to working closely with the members of this Committee.
I grew up in a small town in south Georgia, then spent the
next 30 years as a naval officer, with almost 11 years either
underway or forward-deployed. My schooling in ship design and
construction, and Navy assignments in education and government
affairs, led to my next career of over 5 years in the private
sector representing a uniquely American manufacturing industry,
both domestically and abroad. These experiences have provided
firsthand knowledge and a deep appreciation for the challenges
we face as globalization evolves.
The trade association I was privileged to lead for the last
5 years represented the manufacturers of over 90 percent of the
air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration products made in
the United States. During over 80 visits to plants of all
shapes, sizes, and levels of sophistication, from mom-and-pop
operations to large, highly productive global conglomerates, I
saw one common thread: U.S. manufacturers can compete
successfully with anybody, given a level playing field.
My association represented our manufacturers in the Federal
and State regulatory processes. We developed performance
standards and administered equipment certification programs. We
were also involved daily in issues of market access,
intellectual property rights, and tariffs. And our members were
constantly wrestling with the increasing costs of manufacturing
and growing global competition. So, as you can see, the
industry I represented, and the issues it was facing, were
microcosms of what is happening to U.S. industry.
I also have come to understand that, with the recent
advances in both technology and in manufacturing productivity,
logistics, and financial sophistication, that manufacturing and
services, their issues are now fully and inextricably linked
and merged. As a result, my experience with this part of U.S.
industry has given me a true appreciation of what the Office of
Manufacturing and Services can be doing, in a broader sense.
Every policy, regulation, or law should be made with an eye
toward the U.S. worker and U.S. industry's competitiveness. Our
market-driven economy, with its transparency and sense of fair
play, should be the future of globalization. Our way of doing
business should be our number-one export. I think that is one
of the best ways for us to stay competitive as globalization
evolves.
Freedom of the seas facilitates trade, and our founding
fathers understood this concept when they stated, ``We will
maintain a navy.'' At the same time, market-access limitations,
barriers, and unfair costs stifle fair competition. So, it's
obvious that, during the evolution of globalization, there
needs to be an advocate within our system to try and make sense
of any particular U.S. industry's dilemma. We need to make sure
that the proposed policies and regulations are fully vetted to
prevent the always-present unintended consequence perhaps
affecting another industry or another industry segment.
While at my trade association, I saw the Office of
Manufacturing and Services analyzing costs and providing data.
I saw it maintaining an industry dialogue through the advisory
committees and the councils and boards, such as the
Manufacturing Council. And, while I wasn't directly involved, I
understand the Travel and Tourism Board also works very closely
with this Committee.
The manufacturers and services-sector experts have been
able to provide critical data to the other Federal agencies and
to Congress, with an eye on competitiveness. So, when I was
asked to take on this challenge, my first thoughts were, what
could I possibly do? And how could I make a difference?
If confirmed, I will focus the office on providing
practical and actionable input to the regulatory and policy
processes. With the evolution of globalization, I see U.S.
global competitiveness needing to start right here at home. I
will work toward decreasing the premium that U.S. employers pay
to manufacture and operate here in the U.S. My goal will be to
help develop and maintain an environment in which the smart
business decision for any U.S. company will be to open or
expand, right here.
I will also look at how the services sector is integrated
into our economy, and work to ensure it receives appropriate
weight in the office's input to the policymakers.
The voice of the U.S. manufacturing and services worker
must be heard, and, if confirmed, I also hope to establish the
Office of Manufacturing and Services as the go-to office for
evaluating policy impacts on the domestic and global
competitiveness of U.S. industry.
It has a highly competent staff of industry and sector
experts who can be brought to bear to aid Congress and the
Federal agencies with the complex questions that are arising
during the evolution of globalization.
I truly believe it is honorable to be in government
service, and, if confirmed, I hope to contribute to the
competitiveness of all U.S. industry, which will equate to
improving our quality of life, and will improve our prospects
for the future.
Thank you for this opportunity, and I'll be happy to answer
your questions.
[The biographical information of Admiral Sutton follows:]

______

a. biographical information and qualifications
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):

William Glenn Sutton.
Nickname: Woody.

2. Position to which nominated: Assistant Secretary for
Manufacturing and Services, U.S. Department of Commerce.
3. Date of Nomination: May 4, 2007.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Information not available to the public.
5. Date and Place of Birth: July 5, 1948; Brunswick, Georgia.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).

Claudia Mansfield Sutton (spouse), Associate Executive
Director, American Association of School Administrators (AASA),
Arlington, VA; No Children.

7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.

Master of Science Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine
Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge,
MA, June, 1971.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Naval Engineering, United States
Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, June 1970.

8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.

Career Naval Officer, June 1970 to July 2000. See attached Navy
Biography.

President, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI),
December 2001 to February 2007, representing the manufacturers
of commercial air-conditioning and refrigeration products. See
attached resume.

Leadership and management roles throughout Navy career, and
standards development, certification program administration;
and legislative, regulatory and global trade advocacy while
running a major manufacturers' trade association relate to the
position.

9. Attach a copy of your resume. Resume and Naval career biography
attached.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last 5 years: None.
11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last 5 years.

President, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI),
Arlington, VA.

Director, Clifford H. ``Ted'' Reese Scholarship Foundation,
Arlington, VA.

Director, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology
Institute (ARTI), Arlington, VA.

Director, North American Technician Excellence (NATE),
Arlington, VA.

Director, American National Standards Institute (ANSI),
Washington, D.C.

Director, National Association of Manufacturers Council of
Manufacturing Associations (NAM CMA), Washington, D.C.

Secretary-Treasurer, Association Education and Business
Institute Inc. (AEBI), Arlington, VA.
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past 10
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club. or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age, or handicap.

USNA Alumni Association, Annapolis, MD, 1970 to present.

MIT Alumni Association, Cambridge, MA, 1971 to present.

U.S. Naval Institute. Annapolis, MD, 1978 to present.

Surface Navy Association. Alexandria, VA, 1988 to present.

Army Navy Country Club, Arlington, VA, 1989 to present.

AARP, Washington, D.C., 2000 to present.

Pearl Harbor Lodge, F&AM, Honolulu, HI, 1999 to present.

Navy League of the United States, Arlington, VA, 2000 to
present.

MOAA, Alexandria, VA, 2000 to present.

The Army and Navy Club, Washington, D.C., 2002 to present.

United States Naval Historical Foundation, Washington, D.C.,
2006 to present.

13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt: No.
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past 10 years. Also list all offices you
have held with, and services rendered to, a state or national political
party or election committee during the same period.

American Society of Association Executives PAC 2005--$250,
2006--$250, 2007--$250.

15. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.

Military Medals:

Defense Superior Service Medal (DSSM).

Legion of Merit (5 awards).

Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards).

Navy Commendation Medal.

Navy Achievement Medal.

Navy Unit Commendation Medal.

Meritorious Unit Commendation (2 awards).

Navy ``E'' (5 awards).

Navy Expeditionary Medal.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

Armed Forces Service Medal.

Southwest Asia Service Medal (2 awards).

Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3 awards).

Kuwait Liberation Medal.

Expert Pistol and Rifle Medals.

(1) reducing the structural costs facing U.S. manufacturers,
which put us at a disadvantage globally.

(2) a real need to decrease overseas IPR violations, and

(3) strengthening American industry's competitive position in
the global marketplace by increasing exports of U.S. goods and
services.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
Receive retirement benefits as a 30-year retiree from the United
States Navy.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain.
I will retain my position as Secretary of the Association,
Education, and Business Institute, Inc. (AEBI), which is my wife's
education consulting S-Corp. It is currently dormant.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
As noted in my ethics agreement, stock holdings of Ametek, Inc.,
Centerpoint Energy, IBM, JC Penney, Reliant Energy, Inc., Sunoco, and
Volt Information Sciences could involve potential or perceived
conflicts of interest.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last 10 years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated: None.
5. Describe any activity during the past 10 years in which you have
been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the
passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting the
administration and execution of law or public policy.
Provided written testimony (see A. 17. above) for the ``Cool and
Efficient Buildings Act,'' advocating changing the depreciation for
commercial heating air-conditioning and refrigeration systems from 39
to 20 years.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
I have executed an ethics agreement in which I have agreed to
divest my/my wife's stock holding in Ametek, Inc., Centerpoint Energy,
IBM, JC Penny, Reliant Energy, Inc., Sunoco, and Volt Information
Sciences, within 90 days of confirmation. Further, I have agreed that
until divestitures are complete, I will not participate personally and
substantially in any particular matter that will have a direct and
predictable effect on the financial interests of these entities, unless
I first obtain a written waiver or qualify for a regulatory exemption.
Also, if confirmed, and if my wife begins to take on any new clients at
AEBI, I will consult with a Department of Commerce ethics counsel to
ensure propriety, and I will be non-participatory in AEBI businesses
activities. Additionally, I have agreed to not participate personally
and substantially in any particular matter involving specific parties
of ARI or AASA, unless I am authorized to participate.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics
by, or been the subject of a complaint to any court, administrative
agency, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? If so, please explain: No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State. or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State. county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain.
Charged with DUI in Middletown, Rhode Island in November 1989.
Judge dismissed case.
3. Have you or any business of which you are or were an officer
ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency proceeding or
civil litigation? If so, please explain: No.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain: No.
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis? If so, please explain: No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination: None.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by Congressional committees? Yes, to the
best of my ability.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect Congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes, to the best of my ability.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes, to
the best of my ability.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______

resume of william g. sutton
Professional Profile
Experienced Chief Executive with over 5 years leading and
transforming a major manufacturing trade association into a forward-
looking and highly-involved organization fully-engaged in the
regulatory policy debate and with an aggressive legislative and
education agenda; and, over thirty years in leadership positions
serving in the United States Navy both afloat and ashore, achieving the
rank of Rear Admiral. Unique background includes seven CEO/COO-
equivalent assignments and substantial leadership expertise in change
management, advocacy, international relations, education, marketing,
standards development, and certification program management. Board
experience includes the American National Standards Institute (ANSI),
the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the Clifford H. Rees
Scholarship Foundation, and North American Technician Excellence
(NATE).
Employment History
President, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI),
October 2001 to February 2007.
ARI is the trade association representing manufacturers of air-
conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment in North America.
With a $14.5M annual budget and a staff of 42, it is an internationally
recognized leader in both the development of standards and in the
administration of certification programs pertaining to the performance
of air-conditioning, ventilation, and refrigeration products. ARI also
serves as a major advocate for the heating, ventilation, air-
conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) industry domestically and U.S.
manufacturing competitiveness globally.
Advocacy

Developed and implemented a coordinated advocacy and
communications effort that placed ARI in a position to advance
its members' agenda and lead in industry issues, replacing the
former reactionary approach.

Brought all of the HVACR industry associations together into a
significant partnership effort and guided the industry forward
through legislative, regulatory, educational and technician
certification initiatives.

Increased ARI's influence globally and successfully led a major
federation of international manufacturing associations through
activities such as intellectual property disputes and
international advocacy cooperation.

Opened doors and established communications lines with historic
opponents, advancing the ARI agenda.

Active in both the NAM and U.S. Chamber of Commerce in
manufacturing competitiveness issues.

Provided leadership and was the primary spokesman in speeches,
articles and interviews for ARI and the HVACR industry both on
a routine basis and during several significant industry
initiatives and crises.
Services to Members

Designed and completely restructured the member dues system to
be fair, simple and predictable.

Grew by almost 40 percent and improved the processes and value
of the product performance certification programs.

Led and coordinated the initial $1.4M fundraising effort which
established the Rees Scholarship Foundation.

Increased member services and benefits through increased
efficiencies while growing ARI over 25 percent.

Moved ARI from paper to web-based, and improved internal and
external communications.

Successfully integrated the industry's technician certification
program into every activity and initiative.
Internal Management

Quickly gained control of escalating expenses and managed the
budget to restore reserves.

Developed and led highly successful and major branding,
marketing, and press relations efforts.

Energized the budget and investment committee process and
engaged ARI in active portfolio management.

Improved the governance process and procedures through board
and staff training programs.

Instituted formal schedule and milestone planning, staff
feedback and recognition, and ethics, wellness and social
programs resulting in a professional and effective staff and a
healthy and positive work environment.

United States Navy Career

Commander, Amphibious Group Two, February 1999 to July 2000.

Headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia; responsibility to organize,
train, equip, and prepare Sailors to respond to national
tasking for the largest group command in the U.S. Navy: 38 ship
and shore commands, over 19 billion dollars in capital assets,
and 14,500 military and civilian personnel. Significant
interagency experience as task force commander for the EgyptAir
flight 990 crash recovery effort.

Commander, Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Commander, Naval Surface Group
Middle Pacific, September 1996 to January 1999.

Regional Commander for all Navy activities statewide in Hawaii
and Group Commander with training, maintenance and operational
responsibility for all 17 surface ships homeported in Pearl
Harbor. Leadership, management, and agency and government
liaison responsibilities for all Navy personnel and facilities
in Hawaii and Antarctica.

Chief of Staff, Commander Second Fleet and Commander Striking Fleet
Atlantic, June 1994 to August 1996.

Embarked in the flagship homeported in Norfolk, Virginia;
responsible for the direction of a staff of 160 men and women
planning, organizing, coordinating, and directing all surface
and air operations throughout the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and
within NATO's Atlantic operating area. Director of a major
joint services operational staff.

Previous Assignments include:

Naval Aide to President Reagan 1983-1985; Director of Programs,
Navy Office of Legislative Affairs 1990-1992; Commander,
Destroyer Squadron Two Four 1992-1994; Director, Prospective
Commanding Officer School: Member, Naval Academy Honor Review
Board; Instructor, Naval Engineering, U.S. Naval Academy; and
various assignments in destroyers, frigates, and surface
support ships.

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Master of Science in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
(June 1971).

United States Naval Academy.

Bachelor of Science in Naval Engineering (June 1970).

Affiliations

National Association of Manufacturers/Council of Manufacturing
Associations.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce/Committee of 100.

American National Standards Institute.

American Society of Association Executives.

Key Industry Associations Committee.

Clifford H. Rees Scholarship Foundation.

North American Technician Excellence.

MIT Alumni Association.

USNA Alumni Association.

Military Officer's Association.

Surface Navy Association.

U.S. Naval institute.

Naval Historical Foundation.
______

naval career biography of william g. sutton
Rear Admiral, United States Navy, Retired
Admiral Sutton hails from Brunswick, Georgia, and was commissioned
upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy. He holds a Master
of Science Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering from the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
At sea he served aboard USS JONAS INGRAM (DD 938) as ASW Officer,
USS PAUL (FF 1080) as Weapons Officer, USS SURIBACHI (AE 21) as
Operations Officer and Navigator, participating in deployments to the
North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Middle East. He was the commissioning
Executive Officer of USS KIDD (DDG 993), lead ship of her class, and
was responsible for its initial outfitting, organization and the crew
certification process. He commanded USS CALLAGHAN (DDG 994) which
deployed to the Straits of Hormuz during the ``Tanker War.'' As
Commander, Destroyer Squadron TWO FOUR, Admiral Sutton deployed to the
Adriatic Sea during the Yugoslavian conflict, and twice deployed to the
North Red Sea as Maritime Interception Force Commander, enforcing U.N.
sanctions. He also served as Chief of Staff for Commander Second Fleet
and Commander Striking Fleet; and was Director of the Maritime Forces
Joint Staff, Commander, Joint Task Force 120 during Haitian and various
Atlantic, Caribbean, and NATO contingency and planning operations.
Ashore, Admiral Sutton served as Naval Aide to President Reagan
1982-1985; Director of Programs, Navy Office of Legislative Affairs
1990-1992; Director, Prospective Commanding Officer/Executive Officer
Course at Surface Warfare Officers Schools Command in Newport, Rhode
Island; and as an instructor in Naval Systems Engineering at the U.S.
Naval Academy. He was Commander, Naval Base Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and
Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific from September 1996 until
January 1999, overseeing the major shore infrastructure changes
resulting from the regionalization process. Admiral Sutton's last
assignment was as Commander, Amphibious Group TWO from 5 February 1999
until his transition to the retired list in July 2000. He was
responsible for all Atlantic Fleet amphibious force readiness,
maintenance, and training; and he participated in the LPD 17 ship class
design process. Collaterally, he was Task Force Commander for recovery
efforts following the crash of EgyptAir Flight 990 off the coast of
Newport, Rhode Island in November 1999.

The Chairman. I thank you very much, Admiral.
Mr. Spoehel, I forgot to ask you to introduce your family.
Please do.
Mr. Spoehel. I thank you for that opportunity. They are
actually on an extended vacation with family, out of the state,
at the moment.
The Chairman. You're a good husband.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Spoehel. Thank you.
The Chairman. On behalf of the Committee, I'd like to thank
all of the nominees. Your documents have been received. Your
discussions have been heard. And they'll be all made part of
the record.
The Committee--and I speak for all of them--are very
impressed with your background, your experiences, and your
contributions to our Nation. We thank you for your service in
the past, and we look forward to your service in the future.
And we thank you for serving our country.
To demonstrate our confidence in you, your nominations will
be taken up by the Committee on Thursday. I can assure you it
will be reported out, and, before we go on recess, you will be
Secretaries.
So, congratulations to all of you, and congratulations to
the families. Thank you very much for your service.
[Applause.]
The Chairman. The Committee stands adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 10:30 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X

Prepared Statement of Hon. Ted Stevens, U.S. Senator from Alaska
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding today's hearing. These
individuals have been selected to serve vital positions within our
government and I thank them for their willingness to serve.
I am very pleased to see Vice Admiral Barrett here today. He has
been a tremendous asset to the country and has demonstrated a great
understanding of Alaska, both as a member of the Coast Guard and in his
capacity as Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials
Safety Administration.
Before joining the Department of Transportation, Vice Admiral
Barrett had a distinguished career in the United States Coast Guard and
spent many years stationed throughout the gulf coast of Alaska. Most
recently, he served as Commander of the Seventeenth Coast Guard
District and had an impressive accident-free search and rescue program
that saved 675 lives before going on to serve as Vice Commandant.
In 2005, Vice Admiral Barrett was confirmed as the first Pipeline
and Hazardous Materials Safety Administrator. He has worked tirelessly
to improve the safety of our Nation's pipelines and was extremely
helpful to this committee as we worked to craft the pipeline safety
bill last Congress.
This Committee has a close working relationship with Vice Admiral
Barrett and I look forward to continuing that relationship. I
congratulate him on his nomination.
______

Prepared Statement of Hon. Olympia J. Snowe,
U.S. Senator from Maine
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Today, I have want to reiterate my strong
support for the nomination of Paul Brubaker as Administrator of the
Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) at the
Department of Transportation.
I have known Paul as an individual who is deeply committed to
public service and the public good. Most especially, I'm familiar with
Paul through his tenure with my former colleague--and former colleague
to a number of us here--the esteemed Senator Bill Cohen. And, in fact,
while working for Bill on the Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of
Government Management, Paul was the principal staff architect of the
Clinger-Cohen Act--which provided a critical modernization by requiring
that the government information technology ``shop'' be operated exactly
as an efficient and profitable business would operate.
So while Paul may not be a native-born Mainer, given his tremendous
contributions on Senator Cohen's staff, we've never held that against
him! In fact we are very pleased to consider him an honorary Mainer!
Paul has also served with distinction at the then-U.S. General
Accounting Office, and served as Deputy Assistant Secretary and Deputy
Chief Information Officer at the U.S. Department of Defense. But Paul
brings to this critical leadership position at RITA a unique and
impressive record not only in public service, but also in the private
sector as well.
His seasoned and accomplished background in both business and
public service will undoubtedly serve Paul and the country well in this
position, which requires him to administer and lead RITA, created to
coordinate DOT's research and development investment with the objective
of identifying and facilitating cross-modal solutions to America's
transportation challenges. RITA enables DOT to more effectively manage
its research portfolio and advance the development and implementation
of innovative technologies.
Paul is ideally positioned to assume this pivotal role and succeed
at a high level as part of the overarching effort to advance an
effective and safe transportation system for our Nation. He is poised
to implement President Bush's goal of an American transportation system
that ``. . . renews our commitment to increasing transportation safety
and to keeping our transportation system on the leading edge of
technology.''
With that, I want to thank the Chairman and again urge my
colleagues to support this exemplary candidate.
______

Prepared Statement of Hon. John Warner,
U.S. Senator from Virginia
Chairman Inouye, Senator Stevens, and my other distinguished
colleagues on the Senate's Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee, I thank you for holding this confirmation hearing today.
Today, I am pleased to speak on behalf of Ronald Spoehel of
Virginia who has been nominated to serve as the Chief Financial Officer
(CFO) of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The job of Chief Financial Officer is a critical one, tasked with
the responsibility of overseeing NASA's overall financial well-being,
including its annual budget of about $16.2 billion. Mr. Spoehel's
strong financial background coupled with his extensive management
experience makes him well tailored to serve in this position.
Subsequent to earning his B.S. in Economics, M.S. in Engineering,
and M.BA. from the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Spoehel joined Bank
of America where he quickly rose to the rank of Vice President.
Including his tenure at Bank of America, Mr. Spoehel has over 25 years
of experience and expertise as an officer or executive at diverse set
of companies ranging from investment banking firms to global high-tech
companies.
Mr. Chairman, obviously, Mr. Spoehel is highly qualified to serve
as Chief Financial Officer of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration. I look forward to the Committee's favorable
consideration of his nomination.
______

Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Trent Lott to
Ronald R. Spoehel
Question 1. Three years ago NASA broke ground on its first ever
Shared Services Center (NSSC) in Mississippi at the Stennis Space
Center with the intent of reducing redundant and inefficient
administrative functions. All reports indicate that the Center is
fulfilling its mandate of saving money on projects to reduce costs by
establishing uniform procedures and processes in these areas.
The NASA Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is an important customer of
that Center. In order to realize full efficiencies of the Center, it is
important that the CFO work to maintain and advance the NSSC transition
schedule in a timely and responsible manner. In fact, it has been
reported that the Agency is on target to consolidate the important
financial functions of accounts payable and accounts receivable to the
NSSC by the beginning of calendar year 2008. Does the current timeline
for the NSSC to consolidate accounts payable and accounts receivable
remain the beginning of calendar year 2008?
Answer. It is my understanding that the tentative schedule for
transitioning accounts payable and accounts receivable remains at the
beginning of calendar year 2008. If confirmed, I would review the
schedule and plan of transition and work with my staff to help ensure
the successful and timely transition of these key functions to the
NSSC.

Question 2. What additional mission projects as well as new
capabilities can be assumed by the NSSC in an effort to advance its
mission through centralizing its administrative processes and saving
the agency valuable funds?
Answer. It is my understanding that the NSSC is focusing on
successfully transitioning the remainder of the services identified for
transition through FY 2008, including simplified acquisitions and
additional human resources activities. I have been informed that a
review is underway of other activities identified in the NSSC
Implementation Plan Report as requiring further study and that NASA is
also considering other activities not delineated in the Implementation
Plan Report for potential transition to the NSSC.

Question 3. Are you committed to ensuring that NSSC remains at the
forefront of assuming consolidated administrative functions for NASA?
Answer: Yes, if I am confirmed, I would be committed to ensuring
that the NSSC remains at the forefront of assuming additional
consolidated administrative functions. From my prior private sector
experience, I recognize the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the
shared services model for delivering support services with
appropriately designed processes and internal controls. Consequently, I
view the NSSC model as a valid cross-cutting strategy for reducing
administrative costs and enhancing operational efficiency while
ensuring strong and effective internal controls are maintained.
______

Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John D. Rockefeller IV
to Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett
Question 1. Can you please comment on how NHTSA chose its testing
protocol for the occupant ejection rulemaking? Why does the agency
believe that this is the best testing procedure to achieve the goal of
reduced occupant ejection?
Answer. As directed by SAFETEA-LU, NHTSA is currently developing a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on occupant ejection. The Agency
has been working on a test method that represents a human's upper body
and the forces experienced during a rollover, but this method is still
being finalized. I assure you that the Department and NHTSA will use a
test methodology fully supported by crash data and sound science to
provide effective occupant protection.

Question 2. The SAFETEA-LU legislation requires the reduction in
both full and partial ejections. Can you please comment on how NHTSA's
performance standard will achieve this objective for all types of
vehicle occupants?
Answer. The Department is committed to fulfilling Congressional
safety requirements established by SAFETEA-LU for both full and partial
ejections. We are working hard to address full and partial ejections
through new performance requirements that will be included in
regulation. The specific details of how the Department proposes to
fulfill these requirements are still under development and will be
fully described in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

Question 3. What technologies would be required to meet this
testing protocol?
Answer. Side curtain and advanced glazing technologies are possible
countermeasures that manufacturers could employ to meet the testing
protocol.

Question 4. Can you please comment on the cost effectiveness and
availability of the technologies that will be needed to meet this
testing protocol?
Answer. The feasibility and cost effectiveness of achieving the
proposed performance requirements is still being considered. They will
be fully described in the Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis when
the NPRM is published.

Question 5. Are the technologies that would be required to meet
this proposed testing protocol being used in vehicles today? Can you
please comment on NHTSA's plans for phase-in of the regulation?
Answer. Some of these technologies required to meet this testing
protocol are beginning to appear in vehicles. While the exact details
of NPRM are being finalized, phase-in of the performance requirements
will be established in a way to ensure that benefits from these
important life-saving technologies can be realized as rapidly as is
practicable.

Question 6. If these technologies are being made more available in
cars today, would it seem reasonable to expect a rapid implementation
requirement similar to the 3 year phase-in recently proposed for
electronic stability control?
Answer. While these technologies are beginning to appear in cars
today, their ability to achieve the proposed performance requirements
may not be comparable to electronic stability control systems at a
similar stage relative to the regulatory process. If confirmed, you
have my commitment that the proposed implementation schedule will be
established to be quickly as is practicable.

Question 7. Can you please comment on the timing of your rule
development and if there are any potentially foreseeable obstacles that
would prevent NHTSA's meeting the final rule deadline of October 1,
2009?
Answer. The Department is committed to fulfilling all of the safety
requirements established by SAFETEA-LU. At this time does not foresee
obstacles in meeting them. We expect to have a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking issued in 2008. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that
deadlines for this and all SAFETEA-LU regulatory requirements are met.