[Senate Hearing 117-864]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 117-864
NOMINATION TO THE AMTRAK BOARD
OF DIRECTORS AND THE SURFACE
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
=======================================================================
HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
SEPTEMBER 7, 2022
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
__________
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
55-821 PDF WASHINGTON : 2024
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington, Chair
AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota ROGER WICKER, Mississippi, Ranking
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii ROY BLUNT, Missouri
EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts TED CRUZ, Texas
GARY PETERS, Michigan DEB FISCHER, Nebraska
TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin JERRY MORAN, Kansas
TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska
JON TESTER, Montana MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee
KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona TODD YOUNG, Indiana
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada MIKE LEE, Utah
BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin
JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West
RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia Virginia
RICK SCOTT, Florida
CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming
Lila Helms, Staff Director
Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director
George Greenwell, Policy Coordinator and Security Manager
John Keast, Republican Staff Director
Crystal Tully, Republican Deputy Staff Director
Steven Wall, General Counsel
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on September 7, 2022................................ 1
Statement of Senator Cantwell.................................... 1
Statement of Senator Wicker...................................... 2
Statement of Senator Blumenthal.................................. 76
Statement of Senator Fischer..................................... 78
Statement of Senator Tester...................................... 80
Statement of Senator Moran....................................... 81
Statement of Senator Baldwin..................................... 84
Witnesses
David M. Capozzi, Nominee to be a Director, Amtrak Board of
Directors...................................................... 4
Prepared statement........................................... 5
Biographical information..................................... 6
Anthony R. Coscia, Nominee to be a Director, Amtrak Board of
Directors...................................................... 17
Prepared statement........................................... 18
Biographical information..................................... 20
Christopher Koos, Nominee to be a Director, Amtrak Board of
Directors...................................................... 35
Prepared statement........................................... 36
Biographical information..................................... 37
Samuel E. Lathem, Nominee to be a Director, Amtrak Board of
Directors...................................................... 43
Prepared statement........................................... 44
Biographical information..................................... 45
Robin L. Wiessmann, Nominee to be a Director, Amtrak Board of
Directors...................................................... 50
Prepared statement........................................... 51
Biographical information..................................... 52
Robert E. Primus, Nominee to be a Member, Surface Transportation
Board.......................................................... 62
Prepared statement........................................... 62
Biographical information..................................... 63
Appendix
Response to written questions submitted to David M. Capozzi by:
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 87
Hon. Tammy Duckworth......................................... 87
Hon. Kyrsten Sinema.......................................... 87
Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 88
Hon. Ray Ben Lujan........................................... 89
Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 89
Hon. Roger Wicker............................................ 90
Hon. Mike Lee................................................ 90
Response to written questions submitted to Anthony R. Coscia by:
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 91
Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 92
Hon. Kyrsten Sinema.......................................... 92
Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 93
Hon. Ray Ben Lujan........................................... 95
Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 96
Hon. Roger Wicker............................................ 97
Hon. Mike Lee................................................ 98
Response to written questions submitted to Christopher Koos by:
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 99
Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 100
Hon. Tammy Duckworth......................................... 100
Hon. Kyrsten Sinema.......................................... 100
Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 101
Hon. Ray Ben Lujan........................................... 102
Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 102
Hon. Roger Wicker............................................ 103
Hon. Mike Lee................................................ 103
Response to written questions submitted to Samuel E. Lathem by:
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 104
Hon. Kyrsten Sinema.......................................... 104
Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 105
Hon. Ray Ben Lujan........................................... 106
Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 106
Hon. Roger Wicker............................................ 107
Hon. Mike Lee................................................ 107
Response to written questions submitted to Robin L. Wiessmann by:
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 108
Hon. Kyrsten Sinema.......................................... 108
Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 109
Hon. Ray Ben Lujan........................................... 110
Hon. John Hickenlooper....................................... 111
Hon. Roger Wicker............................................ 111
Hon. Mike Lee................................................ 112
Response to written questions submitted to Robert E. Primus by:
Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 113
Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 114
Hon. Mike Lee................................................ 114
NOMINATION TO THE AMTRAK BOARD
OF DIRECTORS AND THE SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD
----------
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2022
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:03 a.m., in
room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Maria
Cantwell, Chair of the Committee, presiding.
Present: Senators Cantwell [presiding], Blumenthal,
Baldwin, Tester, Hickenlooper, Wicker, Fischer, and Moran.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
The Chair. Good morning, everyone. The U.S. Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation will come to order. I am
pleased to welcome Amtrak and Surface Transportation Board
nominees and their families here today.
You are all here at a particularly challenging time for
both passenger rail and freight rail in our country, but we
have great promise for the future and investment. Amtrak is a
central transportation provider for communities across the
Nation. From the Northeast Corridor to the Pacific Northwest,
Amtrak connects rural and urban communities in an
environmentally friendly way.
Passenger rail burns 83 percent fewer greenhouse emissions
than driving and up to 73 percent fewer emissions than flying.
And Amtrak is facing historical challenges but also
opportunities which can help Amtrak expand its services and
help meet those passenger demands of the future.
The railroad is still recovering from the COVID-19
pandemic. And its peak Amtrak ridership was down 97 percent due
to COVID-19. Thankfully, ridership has significantly recovered
from that point and is projected to be at 70 percent of pre-
pandemic levels this year. However, Amtrak still struggles to
restore routes where service was reduced during the pandemic.
This includes the Amtrak Cascades route, which will have
service partially restored from Seattle to Vancouver, British
Columbia, later this month, but it needs to be brought back to
full pandemic--pre-pandemic service levels. I can't tell you
how important this is for the economy of our region.
Additionally, the infrastructure law provided $66 billion
investment in rail, with $22 billion going to Amtrak to
purchase new rail cars and improve stations, and upgrade tracks
to enhance the passenger experience, and improve reliability.
Ensuring these funds are managed wisely will be the
responsibility of Amtrak Board nominees here today. Each
nominee has a unique set of skills and experiences that will
help guide Amtrak to meet the challenges of today and the
future. The nominees before us today are Anthony Coscia--is
that--am I saying that correct, Coscia? Thank you. Who has
served on the Amtrak Board since 2010 and is currently Chair of
the Board.
Mr. David Capozzi, who is Former Director of U.S. Access
Board and will ensure Amtrak is meeting its responsibilities to
provide quality service to people with disabilities. Mr. Chris
Koos, who was nominated for this role last Congress and
currently serves as Mayor of Normal Illinois, which is served
by Amtrak's Cardinal route.
And Mr. Samuel Lathem, who was the first African American
to be elected to the President of the Delaware State AFL-CIO
and currently serves on the Board of the Delaware River Bay
Authority. And Ms. Robin Wiessmann, who currently serves as the
Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
Last, Mr. Robert Primus has been renominated as the member
of the Surface Transportation Board. This Surface
Transportation Board provides critical roles in overseeing our
freight rail industry, which is currently struggling with
nationwide service issues caused by pandemic issues of
disruption, increased freight demand, and labor shortages. It
is essential that our freight rail system become a resilient
system, able to meet the demands of today and the future.
Freight shipments are expected to increase by 10 percent by
2030, and by 43 percent by 2050. However, at a time of
increasing freight volumes, rail industry shipment volumes fell
3.2 percent in June of this year, in large part due to service
issues. These service issues have impacted everyone from grain
growers in my State, or grain growers in the Midwest sending
grain to the West Coast, to residents of Snohomish and Skagit
and Island Counties who struggle with shipping issues
themselves.
So the Surface Transportation Board has to work with the
railroads to reverse these trends, and to make sure that we
have the staffing to make sure the system can deliver the
services it is scoped to do.
Thankfully, Mr. Primus has already proven himself to be an
effective Board member over the past 2 years and has worked to
ensure that disputes between shippers and railroads are handled
fairly and transparency while pushing the Board to meet the
rail industry's present day challenges.
So I look forward to hearing from all the nominees about
the challenges we face in our rail transportation and meeting
the needs of the American people. I will now turn to my
colleague, Senator Wicker, for his opening statement.
STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER WICKER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI
Senator Wicker. Well, thank you, Madam Chair. And let me
say that I agree with every word you just said, and I am
tempted to yield back, but I will not. You could have mentioned
Gulf Coast Rail, but I know how supportive you have been----
The Chair. Absolutely.
Senator Wicker. So, thank you so much for your leadership.
We are glad to have five nominees before us to serve on the
Amtrak Board of Directors and one nominee to serve on the
Surface Transportation Board.
For the Amtrak Board, the Committee is considering four new
individuals, according--along with current Board Chairman
Anthony Coscia, who has been nominated for a third term.
Additionally, Mr. Robert Primus has been nominated for another
term as a member of the Service Transportation Board.
Our Chair has courageously pronounced all of the other
names and I will not try to improve on that. The bipartisan
infrastructure law, as the Chair just said, provided $22
billion in advanced appropriations to Amtrak over the next 5
years, with the opportunity to apply for billions more in
competitive grants. Might I also say that the billions for rail
at large will also benefit Amtrak, as the Chair well knows.
I expect members of this committee will want to know how
Amtrak will use the significant funding available to it to
address its operations, particularly the national network. My
top priority for Amtrak continues to be the long awaited
restoration of passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast.
Mississippians have not had passenger rail service along
the Gulf Coast since Hurricane Katrina devastated our state in
2005. I commemorated the anniversary of Katrina just a few days
ago in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, in the beautiful City of
Ocean Springs, Mississippi.
As communities on the Gulf Coast are still recovering from
the storm, 17 years later, restoration of rail, of a passenger
rail service will be a major step in completing this recovery.
Unfortunately, the prolonged delay in restoration of passenger
rail has moved this matter from negotiation to litigation, as
our panelists are aware.
In March of last year, Amtrak petitioned the Surface
Transportation Board for access to the rail line between New
Orleans and Mobile. The law favors this petition. But
protracted litigation benefits no one, in my judgment. I had
hoped to see this matter resolved by mutual agreement by this
point in time.
It is a proven fact that freight and passenger rail service
can co-exist and thrive when the operators work together. This
has been the statutory model for 51 years. Additionally, when
considering the historic levels of funding in the bipartisan
infrastructure law available to Amtrak and the freight
railroads, we are in a position to restart this service very
soon, very soon.
I want to hear from the nominees regarding their commitment
to restoring passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast. The
Committee also has the chance today to discuss matters within
the Surface Transportation Board's jurisdiction. The Board has
extensive authority to regulate railroad operations and
business practices.
In the past 2 years, the Board has been notably active in
pursuing several regulatory initiatives related to supply chain
challenges, railroad mergers, and passenger rail service. In
May, Chairman Oberman testified that the Board has the
authority it needs to conduct effective oversight in response
to the present challenges facing the rail industry.
I know Mr. Primus and his colleagues are hard at work to
resolve several pending matters, including Amtrak's Gulf Coast
petition. And I appreciate his and his colleagues' efforts. I
thank each of the nominees today for their willingness to serve
and for their testimony before the Committee today. Thank you,
Madam Chairman.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Wicker. And we will now hear
from our various nominees, starting with you, Mr. Capozzi.
Thank you.
STATEMENT OF DAVID M. CAPOZZI, NOMINEE TO BE A DIRECTOR, AMTRAK
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Capozzi. [Technical problems]--Senator Hickenlooper,
Senator Blumenthal, I am honored to be with you today as one of
President Biden's nominees for Amtrak's Board of Directors. I
am the first person nominated to fulfill the requirement in the
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, that Amtrak's Board
include at least one individual with a disability who has
experience with accessibility issues.
I am the right person for the job. For over 35 years, I
have worked to make rail transportation more accessible for
people with disabilities. I was a member of the legal team for
the disability community that helped Congress craft the
Americans with Disabilities Act, and I testified in support of
its passage. Following the ADA's enactment, I chaired the
Department of Transportation's Advisory Committee, created to
help develop DOT's ADA regulations.
I served as National Advocacy Director for the Paralyzed
Veterans of America and was Vice President of advocacy for
Easterseals. While at Easterseals, I managed Project Action, a
Congressionally created program to promote cooperation between
the disability community and the transportation industry to
improve access to transportation for people with disabilities.
In 1992, I joined the Access Board, the Federal agency
whose mission is accessibility for people with disabilities. I
served as its Executive Director from 2008 until my retirement
from Federal service in 2020. And while at the Access Board, I
led the development of accessibility guidelines and standards
to implement the ADA and other laws, including creating and
updating accessibility guidelines for fixed guideway systems
including intercity rail.
If confirmed, I will bring my many years of experience,
both outside and within the Federal Government, to the Amtrak
Board. And during my career, I have developed positive
relationships with a wide range of transit and disability
organizations.
I will use my experience and relationships to help ensure
that Amtrak makes accessibility one of its highest priorities.
The ADA provided 20 years to 2010 for Amtrak to make its
stations accessible. But Amtrak missed the deadline.
Only about a quarter of the nearly 400 stations where
Amtrak has, or shares ADA responsibility, currently comply with
accessibility standards. As part of a 2020 settlement with the
Department of Justice, Amtrak made commitments to bring these
stations into compliance. My understanding is that Amtrak plans
to spend about $1 billion over the next 6 years to achieve that
goal.
And over the next 10 years, Amtrak intends to replace the
majority of its existing passenger rail car fleet. Since rail
cars often have a service life of 40 years or more and cannot
be easily modified, it is important that the new equipment be
designed and manufactured to optimize accessibility.
And thanks to you and others in Congress, there are now
unprecedented levels of funding for Amtrak, making this a
critical time for advancing the vision of an expanded and
improved intercity rail network. I am particularly excited to
be nominated now to Amtrak's Board to help it achieve this
vision and in satisfying Amtrak's ADA obligations.
In closing, if confirmed, my focus will be providing
leadership and attention in fulfilling Amtrak's ADA obligations
and in meeting the DOJ settlement agreement terms. Serving on
Amtrak's Board would provide me the opportunity to advance the
implementation of the laws, regulations, and standards I have
spent my entire career helping to develop, and to be part of
the team that helps to enable individuals with disabilities to
travel without obstacles wherever they want to go by Amtrak.
Thank you for your consideration of my nomination. I will
be happy to answer any questions. And if confirmed, I look
forward to working cooperatively with you and the other members
of the Committee. Thank you.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Capozzi follow:]
Prepared Statement of David M. Capozzi, Nominee to be a Director,
Amtrak Board of Directors
Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, distinguished members of the
Committee, my name is David Capozzi. I am honored to be here with you
today as a nominee for Amtrak's Board of Directors. As you know, if
confirmed, I will be the first person to fulfill the requirement
included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, or IIJA, that
Amtrak's Board include ``at least 1 individual . . . with a disability
. . . who has a demonstrated history of, or experience with,
accessibility, mobility and inclusive transportation in passenger rail
or commuter rail.''
I am the right person for the job. I have worked to make rail
transportation more accessible to individuals with disabilities for
over 35 years. I was a member of the legal team for the disability
community that helped Congress craft the Americans with Disabilities
Act, or ADA, and testified in support of its passage before the House
Committee on Public Works and Transportation. Following the ADA's
enactment, I chaired the committee formed by the Urban Mass Transit
Administration, the predecessor of today's Federal Transit
Administration, which developed the Department of Transportation's
proposed rule to implement the ADA.
I served as National Advocacy Director for the Paralyzed Veterans
of America and Vice President of Advocacy for Easterseals. While at
Easterseals, I managed Project ACTION, a congressionally created
program to promote cooperation between the disability community and the
transportation industry to improve access to transportation for people
with disabilities.
In 1992, I joined the Access Board, the Federal agency whose
mission is accessibility for people with disabilities. I served as its
Executive Director from 2008 until my retirement from Federal service
in 2020. During my time at the Access Board, I led the development of
guidelines and standards to implement the ADA and other Federal laws.
This included updating accessibility guidelines that apply to fixed
guideway systems, including rapid, light, commuter, intercity, and
high-speed rail.
I will bring to the Amtrak Board my many years of experience, both
outside and within the Federal government. During my career, I
developed positive relationships with a wide range of groups
representing the transit and disability communities. I will also bring
my passion for ensuring that Amtrak makes accessibility one of its
highest priorities.
There are now unprecedented levels of funding for Amtrak and
intercity passenger rail that Congress provided in the IIJA, making
this a critical time for advancing the vision of an expanded and
improved intercity passenger rail network. As one who shares that
vision, I am particularly excited to be nominated to Amtrak's Board, in
this moment, to aid its success and help fulfill Amtrak's ADA
obligations.
Only about a quarter of the nearly 400 stations Amtrak has or
shares ADA responsibility currently comply with the ADA. As part of a
2020 settlement with the Department of Justice, Amtrak made commitments
to bring these stations into compliance. My understanding is that
Amtrak plans to spend $900 million over the next five years to achieve
that goal.
Over the next ten years, Amtrak intends to replace or initiate
procurements to replace the majority of its existing passenger
equipment fleet. Since passenger railcars often have a service life of
40 years or more and cannot be easily modified, it is important that
the new equipment is designed and manufactured to optimize
accessibility. Again, I intend to ensure that happens.
As a member of Amtrak's Board, one of my areas of focus would be in
providing leadership and attention in fulfilling Amtrak's obligations
under the ADA and the DOJ settlement agreement and working to secure
the appropriate levels of funding for that purpose.
Serving on Amtrak's Board of Directors would provide me the
opportunity to oversee Amtrak's implementation of the laws,
regulations, and guidelines I spent my career helping to develop and to
be part of the team that helps enable individuals with disabilities
travel without obstacles wherever they want to go by Amtrak.
Thank you for your consideration of my nomination. I will be happy
to answer any questions and if confirmed I look forward to working
cooperatively with the committee.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): David Michael
Capozzi.
2. Position to which nominated: Amtrak, Board of Directors, Member.
3. Date of Nomination: April 29, 2022.
4. Address (List cun-ent place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Address: Information not provided.
5. Date and Place of Birth: February 23, 1958; Buffalo, 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).
Patricia Susan Capozzi; Paraeducator; Montgomery County Public
Schools; David Matthew Capozzi, 31; Megan Marie Capozzi, 27;
Margaret Ann Capozzi, 27; Michael Elias Capozzi, 27.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
State University of New York at Buffalo
Faculty of Social Sciences
Bachelor of Arts--May 1982
State University of New York at Buffalo
Faculty of Law and Jurisprudence
Juris Doctor--May 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.
U.S. Access Board
Executive Director
November 2008-June 2020
U.S. Access Board
Director, Technical and Information Services
April 1992-November 2008
National Easter Seal Society
Vice President for Advocacy and Director of Project ACTION
July 1989-April 1992
Paralyzed Veterans of America
National Advocacy Director
June 1987-July 1989
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Associate Advocacy Director
June 1985-June 1987
9. Attach a copy of your resume.
See 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 ten 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 ten years.
Board of Directors, United Spinal Association, New York, New
York. July 2020 to present.
Advisory Committee Member, Mobility Fitness, Atherton,
California. July 2020 to present.
Accessibility Professionals in the Built Environments Task
Force Member, International Association of Accessibility
Professionals, Atlanta, Georgia. July 2020 to present.
Program Committee Member, Access Living, Chicago, Illinois.
September 2020 to present.
Advisory Council Morphic (making personal computers easier
to use for everyone, including those with disabilities),
College Park, Maryland. June 2021 to present.
Biden-Harris Policy Volunteer. August-October 2020.
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). 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 disability.
I've been a member of United Spinal Association since June 2013. In
June 2020 I was elected to their Board of Directors.
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. List all memberships and offices held with, and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.
Biden-Harris Policy Volunteer. August-October 2020.
15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past ten years. None.
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Honorary Member of the Kiosk Hall of Fame. February 2022.
2020 Service to the Citizen Award winner. The award
recognizes those public servants who demonstrate excellence in
their delivery of services that impact the public's lives.
September 2020.
Received an award in Vienna, Austria from the Zero Project
(focused on the rights of persons with disabilities globally)
recognizing my longstanding cooperative efforts with the
European Commission to harmonize global ICT accessibility
standards. February 2016.
National Advocate Award, Project ACTION, May 1992.
Advocate Award, Access to the Skies Program, January 1992.
People Who Make a Difference, National award sponsored by
Helene Curtis, April 1991.
Summa Cum. Laude
Phi Beta Kappa
Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society
Psychology Departmental Honors
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. 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.
See below for chapters in books, testimony, and speeches, videos,
and articles.
Books
Capozzi, D. and Cannon D. (1995). Transportation Accessibility.
In the Encyclopedia of Disability and Rehabilitation (1st ed.)
(pp.731-738). New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing.
Speeches, Videos, and Articles (samples)
Impact of the Trace R&D Center: A panel discussion. Excerpts
from a panel discussion at ASSETS 2021. October 14, 2021
(website)
This 1990 disabilities law ushered in a new era. U.S. Embassy
in Georgia. July 20, 2020 (website)
Disability Employment: Removing Barriers to Prosperity in
Africa. Department of State hosted interactive webchat. October
31, 2018 (website)
Significance of Standardization and Antidiscrimination Actions
Based on American Experience. Speech at Diversity Hub in
Krak6w, Poland. September 14, 2017 (website)
A stick or a carrot? How do they do it in the US? Interview by
Polish press. June 8, 2017 (website)
FOIA committee mulls Section 508 responsibilities. Federal News
Network. October 25, 2016 (website)
ADA 25th Anniversary. Interview by WebABLE.tv. July 29, 2015
(website)
18. List all digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if
possible.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-capozzi-36781713b
19. 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.
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions,
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Accessible
Transportation: Challenges and Opportunities, November 17,
2011.
House Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on the
District of Columbia, ``Mass Transit: Many Management Successes
at WMATA, but Capital Planning Could Be Enhanced,'' September
21, 2001.
House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on
Transportation, ``'Fiscal Year
House Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on Civil and
Constitutional Rights, ``Testimony Regarding HR. 4119--The Fair
Housing Amendments Act of 1986'', July 18, 1986.
House Committee on Small Business, Subcommittee on General
Oversight and the Economy, ``Testimony Regarding Small Business
Administration Programs for Veterans,'' May 7, 1986.
20. 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?
My background and employment experience make me particularly suited
to serve as a member of the Board of Directors for Amtrak. Section
22202 (a)(l)(B) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act amended
the composition of the Amtrak Board of Directors. The Board must now
include at least one member who is an individual with a disability with
a demonstrated history of, or experience with, accessibility, mobility,
and inclusive transportation in passenger rail or commuter rail. I have
been a wheelchair user since a car accident in 1977 and have the
necessary experience for this position.
I was a member of the legal team and was a lobbying captain for the
disability community that helped craft the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA); my expertise was helping with the transportation provisions.
After enactment of the ADA, I chaired the Urban Mass Transportation
Administration's (UMTA--now FTA) ADA Federal Advisory Committee. The
Committee advised UMTA on developing its ADA transportation
regulations. While at the Access Board I was responsible for the
development of ADA accessibility guidelines for transportation vehicles
and facilities. I also created an advisory committee to update the
Board's rail vehicle guidelines; the committee provided its
recommendations in July 2015.
I know how to interact with a Board of Directors. At the Access
Board I reported to a Board of twenty-five members: twelve
representatives from most of the cabinet agencies and thirteen members
of the public appointed by the President of the United States. I also
know how to be a productive Board member. I was elected to the United
Spinal Association Board of Directors in June 2020 and have actively
participated in all Board activities since then. (I'm also a member of
Amtrak Guest Rewards.)
21. 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 as a Board member, I expect to be responsible for
attending and contributing during meetings, communicating with the
President and Chief Executive Officer and other Board members,
overseeing the performance of the President and Chief Executive
Officer, and assisting in developing the annual budget and ensuring
that proper financial controls are in place. I also expect to ensure
that the company exercises its obligations to comply with laws and
regulations specifically regarding accessibility for people with
disabilities.
As Executive Director at the Access Board I was responsible for
$9.2 million in program expenditures and twenty-nine professional and
support staff for the only Federal agency whose primary mission is
accessibility for people with disabilities. I was responsible for
strategic planning, personnel evaluations, budget justifications and
execution, and rulemaking. I prepared agenda materials for 70 Board
meetings and out-of-town events. I was a member of the Senior Executive
Service since 2004. At the Access Board I received ``clean''
independent audit opinions every year. I have extensive experience in
public speaking. I was interviewed over 150 times for international,
national, and local radio, television, and print media and was featured
as a keynote and conference speaker at over 300 conferences and
seminars including twenty-five international conferences. As a manager,
I supervised the development of accessibility guidelines for the ADA,
Architectural Barriers Act, Communications Act, and accessibility
standards for information and communication technology and medical
diagnostic equipment under the Rehabilitation Act. I also managed a
small number of staff and contractors as Vice President of Advocacy for
Easter Seals and the Paralyzed Veterans of America.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
In terms of accessibility challenges, Amtrak is facing
implementation issues in making its stations accessible, ensuring that
rail cars are procured to be the most accessible as possible, and that
outreach to the disability community be improved.
The Americans with Disabilities Act provided 20 years (to 2010) for
Amtrak to make its stations accessible. Amtrak missed this deadline. As
of April 2021, where Amtrak has sole and shared responsibility, 74 of
386 stations are accessible. Amtrak expects to have full accessibility
by September 2027 and will spend $900 million on station accessibility
between 2021 and 2026. If confirmed as a member of the Board, I will
provide strong advocacy to ensure the staff is accountable in meeting
this goal.
Amtrak has a fleet of about 1,300 cars. Amtrak plans to replace
nearly 40 percent of its rail car fleet by 2031. Since many cars can
last at least 40 years it is critical that the best procurement
decisions are made to ensure accessibility for years to come.
Improved outreach to the disability community is essential. Amtrak
needs to improve its standing with the disability community largely
because of its failure to meet its ADA obligations. In December 2020,
Amtrak settled an ADA complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ)
which requires Amtrak to make its intercity rail system accessible,
prioritizing stations with the most significant barriers to access.
Amtrak will also train staff on ADA requirements and implement an
improved process for accepting and handling ADA complaints. One result
of the DOJ settlement is that Amtrak paid over $2 million to more than
1,500 individuals who experienced disability discrimination while
traveling or attempting to travel by train. Public outreach is one way
to improve Amtrak's standing with the disability community. The
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act now requires the Amtrak Board to
meet at least annually with representatives of Amtrak employees,
representatives of persons with disabilities, and the general public to
discuss financial performance and service results.
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.
My arrangements are fully described in Part III of my Executive
Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). In
connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with the
designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion Letter which has
been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential
conflicts of interest.
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.
Yes. My arrangements are fully described in Part III of my
Executive Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form
450). In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
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. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten 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. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented, 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.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee or other
professional group? 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 or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal 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.
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.
I have not had any complaints of harassment, discrimination, or
retaliation made against me to any employer or any other entity with
which [ had a relati.onship (such as a contractor). However, when I was
Executive Director of the Access Board (AKA "Architectural and
Transportation Barriers Compliance Board"), a former employee, Anita
Kinney, filed both an equal employment opportunity (EEO) complaint and
a complaint with the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), against the
agency. As Executive Director, my name was in the caption of both
cases, but I was not named in my personal capacity. It is common
practice for complaints against federal agencies to include the name of
the agency head. All complaints were settled on March 2, 2021 after I
had retired as Executive Director. (Seehttps://www.pacemonitor.com/
public/case/30172880/KINNEY_v_CAPOZZI). The current Executive
Director's name was substituted for mine in the caption for the civil
action in D.C. District Court, as is typical when the agency head is
named in an official, rather than a personal capacity.
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, and that
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? 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 Chair. Thank you so much. Mr. Coscia, you are next.
STATEMENT OF ANTHONY R. COSCIA, NOMINEE TO BE A DIRECTOR,
AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Coscia. Good morning, Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member
Wicker, Senator Blumenthal, Senator Hickenlooper. I am Tony
Coscia, the Chairman of Amtrak's Board of Directors and a Board
member since 2010.
Thank you again for holding this hearing today. It is an
honor to serve on Amtrak's Board and work with such a dedicated
team, both within the company and among our various
stakeholders. I am grateful for the extraordinary level of
support that passenger rail and Amtrak have received from this
committee and Congress.
At my first confirmation hearing in 2010, Amtrak was still
recovering from the darkest period in its history. A near
bankruptcy in the early 2000 eroded confidence in the company
and its management. Some questioned whether Amtrak and its
national network should continue to exist.
There were limited plans for Amtrak's future direction or
any assurance it would receive sufficient funding to maintain
existing assets, let alone improve and expand service. I am
proud to say that since that time, Amtrak, working with our
partners, has made significant progress.
We grew ridership nationwide while significantly improving
the finances of the company despite decades of chronic
underinvestment that left Amtrak saddled with old and
inefficient assets and infrastructure.
By the end of Fiscal Year 2019, Amtrak eliminated over $300
million in annual operating losses compared to 2013, and more
importantly, created a pathway to investing revenue in long
overdue capital projects. We recruited new industry leading
management to the company to implement best practices in
safety, operations, financial management, and customer service.
We completed the nationwide installation of Positive Train
Control, PTC, and we were the first U.S. based railroad to
implement a comprehensive safety management system as required
by this committee.
We developed and began implementing long term plans for
capital investment and service improvements and expansion, as
evidenced by the new service across four State supported routes
launched earlier this year and our plan to restore Gulf Coast
service between New Orleans and Mobile.
We launched a more than $10 billion program to re-fleet
Amtrak with new U.S. made trains. New clean diesel locomotives
for our Nation--our national network are being delivered. New
high speed Acela train sets for the Northeast Corridor are
being tested. New intercity train sets for the Northeast
Regional Service and State supported service are already on
order.
We improved and maintained high customer satisfaction
scores and on time performance where we dispatch the railroad
despite the challenges of old infrastructure and assets. And we
kept our team and customers safe during the tumult of the
pandemic and are restoring service to all of our network thanks
to the incredible level of support from Congress and the Biden
administration.
Because of these efforts, Amtrak and its partners were
ready when Congress enacted the Infrastructure Investment and
Jobs Act, including the landmark rail title drafted by this
committee. This historic legislation provides the significant
multi-year capital funding for intercity passenger rail that
Amtrak has sought for decades.
With these resources, Amtrak will finally be able to make
vital investments in our network and working with our partners
to expand service to underserved communities throughout the
Nation.
Our highest priority on the Northeast Corridor is to renew
our centuries old infrastructure so that we can improve
reliability, capacity, trip time. Construction of the Hudson
Tunnel between New Jersey and New York, and replacing the 150
year old BNP tunnel in Baltimore typify these efforts.
Across the National Network, we are focused on improving
Chicago Union Station, refleeting our long distance trains,
improving corridors and expanding service to new markets, and
achieving full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act at all of our stations. These investments will usher in a
new era of inner city passenger rail in America. To capitalize
on this era, Amtrak will need your continued support.
While the infrastructure bill's capital funding is a
fantastic down payment, it will not be sufficient to overcome
generations of underinvestment in passenger rail, nor will it
fund our day to day operations, which relies on annual
appropriations. We also face the challenge of rebuilding and
growing a skilled work force. While we hired over 2,800 new
employees so far this Fiscal Year, we are seeking thousands
more.
Finally, poor on-time performance caused by some of our
host railroads is a major and continuing challenge that
threatens the viability of our system. Nonetheless, now is an
exciting time to be involved with Amtrak.
Our Nation absolutely needs energy efficient intercity
passenger rail to reduce emissions and alleviate congestion. We
all know that traveling by Amtrak is much greener than driving
or flying. And highway traffic is already exceeding pre-
pandemic levels in many places. Meanwhile, airports and
airspaces are unable to accommodate even current travel demand.
The case for expanding and improving Amtrak service is
compelling.
Amtrak is ready to deliver a new era of passenger rail. I
am proud of what we have accomplished since I joined the Amtrak
Board and I welcome the opportunity to continue my service.
Thank you for all of your support thus far, and I look forward
to answering your questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Coscia follow:]
Prepared Statement of Anthony R. Coscia, Nominee to be a Director,
Amtrak Board of Directors
Good morning, Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and members of
the Committee.
I am Tony Coscia, the Chairman of the Amtrak Board of Directors and
board member since 2010. Thank you for holding this nomination hearing
today.
It is an honor to serve on Amtrak's Board and work with such a
dedicated team, both within the Company and among our various
stakeholders. I am grateful for the extraordinary level of support that
passenger rail and Amtrak receive from this Committee and Congress.
At my first confirmation hearing in 2010, Amtrak was still
recovering from the darkest period in its history. A near bankruptcy in
the early 2000s eroded confidence in the company and its management.
Some questioned whether Amtrak and its national network should continue
to exist. There were limited plans for Amtrak's future direction or any
assurance it would receive sufficient funding to maintain existing
assets, let alone improve and expand service.
I am proud to say that since that time, Amtrak, working with our
partners, made significant progress:
We grew ridership nationwide while significantly improving
the finances of the company, despite decades of chronic
underinvestment that left Amtrak saddled with old and
inefficient assets and infrastructure. By the end of FY 2019,
Amtrak eliminated over $300 million in annual operating losses
compared to 2013 and, more importantly, created a pathway to
investing revenue in to long-overdue capital projects;
We recruited new industry-leading management to the Company
to implement best practices in safety, operations, financial
management and customer service;
We completed the nationwide installation of Positive Train
Control (PTC), and we were the first U.S.-based railroad to
implement a comprehensive Safety Management System, as required
by this Committee;
We developed and began implementing long-term plans for
capital investments and service improvements and expansion, as
evidenced by the new service across four state-supported routes
launched this year and our plan to restore Gulf Coast Service
between New Orleans and Mobile;
We launched a more than $10 billion program to re-fleet
Amtrak with new U.S.-made trains. New clean diesel locomotives
for our National Network are being delivered, new high-speed
Acela trainsets for the Northeast Corridor are being tested,
and new Intercity Trainsets for Northeast Regional service and
state-supported service are on order;
We improved and maintained high Customer Satisfaction scores
and on-time performance, where we dispatch the railroad,
despite the challenges of old infrastructure and assets; and
We kept our team and customers safe during the tumult of the
pandemic and are restoring service to all our network thanks to
the incredible support of Congress and the Biden
Administration.
Because of these efforts, Amtrak and its partners were ready when
Congress enacted the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, including
the landmark Rail Title drafted by this Committee. This historic
legislation provides the significant, multi-year capital funding for
intercity passenger rail that Amtrak sought for decades. With these
resources, Amtrak will finally be able to make vital investments in our
network, and working with our partners, expand Amtrak service to
underserved communities throughout the Nation.
Our highest priority on the Northeast Corridor is to renew our
centuries-old infrastructure so that we can improve reliability,
capacity, and trip time. Construction of the Hudson Tunnel between New
Jersey and New York and replacing the 150-year-old B&P Tunnel in
Baltimore typify these efforts. Across the National Network, we are
focused on improving Amtrak's Chicago Union Station, re-fleeting our
long-distance trains, improving corridors and expanding service to new
markets, and achieving full compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act at our stations. These investments we will usher in a
new era of intercity passenger rail in America.
To capitalize on this era, Amtrak will need your continued support.
While the infrastructure bill's capital funding is a fantastic down
payment, it will not be sufficient to overcome the generations of
underinvestment in passenger rail nor will it fund our day-to-day
operations, which relies on ongoing annual appropriations. We also face
the challenge of rebuilding and growing our skilled workforce. While we
hired over 2,800 new employees so far this Fiscal Year, we are seeking
thousands more. Finally, poor on-time performance caused by some our
host railroads is a major and continuing challenge that threatens the
viability of our system.
Nonetheless, now is an exciting time to be involved with Amtrak.
Our nation absolutely needs energy-efficient intercity passenger rail
service to reduce emissions and alleviate congestion. We all know
traveling by Amtrak is so much greener than driving and flying and
highway traffic is already exceeding pre-pandemic levels in many
places. Meanwhile, airports and airspace are unable to accommodate even
current travel demand. The case for expanding and improving Amtrak
service is compelling.
Amtrak is ready to deliver a new era of passenger rail. I'm proud
of what we've accomplished since I joined Amtrak's Board and I welcome
the opportunity to continue my service. Thank you for all your support
thus far, and I look forward to answering any questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Anthony Rosario Coscia
Nickname: Tony
2. Position to which nominated: Director, Amtrak Board of
Directors.
3. Date of Nomination: May 3, 2022.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office:
I work out of two offices of Windels Marx:
New York, NY 10019
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
5. Date and Place of Birth: 09/09/1959; Paterson, New Jersey.
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: Alice Coscia, Nurse Practitioner, Harrison Medical
Group, Harrison, NJ
Children: Daughter, Christine England, 34, Nurse Practitioner,
Family Health Institute, Kingston, NY
Son, Joseph Coscia, 32, Senior Associate, Potomac Economics,
Ltd., Fairfax, VA
Son, Stephen Coscia, 30, PhD Candidate, University of
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Daughter, Elizabeth Coscia, 28, Student, Georgetown University
Law Center, Washington, DC
Daughter, Marissa Coscia, 26, Director, Communications & Public
Affairs, Global Strategy Group, New York, NY
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
Rutgers University School of Law, Juris Doctorate (1984)
Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, Bachelors
of Science in Foreign Service, International Economics (1981)
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.
Managerial/Related Positions Are Bolded Below:
Graham and James (May 1982 to September 1982)
Law Clerk
Barnes Richardson and Colburn, LLP (May 1983 to September
1983)
Law Clerk
Windels Marx Davies & Ives
Partner (September 1990-January 1991)
Member of the firm as a partner in the general corporate,
commercial and real estate groups.
Associate Attorney (September 1984-September 1990)
General corporate, commercial and real estate practice.
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (January 1991 to
February 1992)
Executive Director
Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP (February 1992 to
Present)
Partner & Member of Executive Committee
Member of the firm as a partner in the general corporate,
commercial and real estate groups.
9. Attach a copy of your resume. 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 ten years.
Chairman, Board of Directors, National Railroad Passenger
Corporation (AMTRAK) (2013 to present); Appointed a Director of
the Board in 2010 and reappointed in 2015
Chairman, Board of Commissioners, Port Authority of New York
& New Jersey (April 2003-February 2011) (continued on Board of
Commissioners until June 2011)
Vice Chairman, Gateway Program Development Corporation
Commission (February 2016 to July 2019)
Vice Chair, Gateway Development Commission (July 2019 to
present)
Member, New Jersey Restart and Recovery Commission (April
2020 to present)
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 ten years.
Partner & Member of Executive Committee, Windels Marx Lane &
Mittendorf, LLP (1992 to present)
Member, Council of Trustees, New Jersey Performing Arts
Center (2006 to present)
Trustee, New Jersey Community Development Corporation (2007
to present)
Director, National Railroad Passenger Corporation (AMTRAK)
(June 2010 to present)
Trustee, Regional Plan Association (June 2011 to present)
Advisory Board Member, Advance Realty Investors (March 2015
to present; previously 1995-2006)
Senior Advisor, Oaktree Transportation Infrastructure Fund,
L.P. (August 2018 to present)
Director, OceanFirst Financial Corp. (January 2018 to
present)
Director, OceanFirst Bank (January 2018 to present)
Director, Neighborhood Property Group LLC (November 2020 to
present)
Member, Georgetown University Board of Directors (July 2016
to present)
Advisory Board Member, Georgetown University School of
Foreign Service (2011 to present)
Director, Suez North America Inc., successor to United
Water, Inc. (December 2012-March 2022)
Director, SUEZ SA (December 2020-March 2022)
Director, Suez Utility Holdings Inc. (September 2019-March
2022)
Director, Sun Bancorp Inc. (November 2010-January 2018)
Director, Sun National Bank (April 2011-January 2018)
Regent, Georgetown University Board of Regents (2007-2013)
Director, Tutor Perini Corporation (September 2012-May 2013)
Trustee, New Jersey Network (NJN) Foundation (2001-2011)
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). 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 disability.
Member, New Jersey Alliance for Action (1998 to present)
Member, National Association of Industrial and Office
Properties, NJ Chapter (2004 to present)
Member, New Jersey Performing Arts Center Council of
Trustees (2006 to present)
Director, New Jersey Community Development Corporation (2007
to present)
Member, Partnership for New York City (2007 to present)
Member, Economic Club of New York (2008 to present)
Director, Regional Plan Association (2011 to present)
Advisory Board Member, Georgetown University School of
Foreign Service (2011 to present)
Member, Georgetown University Board of Directors (July 2016
to present)
Member, Georgetown University Board of Regents (2007-2013)
Trustee, New Jersey Network (NJN) Foundation (2001-2011)
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. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.
N/A
15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past ten years.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DATE AMOUNT ENTITY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/3/22 $2500 Congressman Donald Payne, Jr.
2/16/22 $2900 Blumenthal Victory Fund
4/20/21 $10,000 New Jersey Democratic Party
(Federal)
2/17/21 $2800 Friends of Schumer
10/7/20 $2800 Defazio for Congress
5/14/19 $2000 Cory 2020
3/15/19 $2,000 Josh Gottheimer for Congress
3/13/19 $1,000 Mark Kelly for Senate
10/17/18 $2,700 Josh Gottheimer for Congress
4/19/18 $2,600 Menendez for Senate
10/27/16 $1,000 Sires for Congress
7/29/16 $1,800 Josh Gottheimer for Congress
4/13/16 $2,700 Hillary for America
3/10/16 $2,700 Pascrell for Congress
6/5/15 $2,700 Friends of Schumer
6/30/14 $2,600 Cory Booker for Senate
5/26/14 $650 Blumenthal for Connecticut
5/2/14 $2,800 Menendez for Senate
4/1/14 $500 Autumn Burke for Assembly 2014
8/13/13 $2,500 Booker for Senate
9/13/11 $2,500 Menendez for Senate
3/15/11 $500 Quinn for NY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Recognition
The Best Lawyers in America--Banking & Finance Law (2018-
2022), Construction Law (2022), Real Estate Law (2022)
City & State Responsible 100 (2018)
NJBIZ 25 Legends (2012)
NJBIZ Commercial Real Estate Power 50 (2011, 2014-2015,
2017, 2019-2021)
NJBIZ Health Care Power 50 (2020)
NJBIZ Law Power 50 (2019, 2021)
NJBIZ Power 75: Real Estate (2016)
NJBIZ Power 100 (2014-2022)
NJBIZ Real Estate and Construction Power 50 (2013)
NJ Chamber of Commerce Business Leadership Award (2017)
Regional Plan Association's The John Zuccotti Award (2018)
ROI-NJ Champions of the C-Suite, Recipient of the Inaugural
Chairman Champions Award (2020)
ROI-NJ Influencers: Power 50 (2018-2022)
ROI-NJ Real Estate Influencers (2017-2021)
Super Lawyers, Recognized for Real Estate (2018-2021)
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. 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.
See Attachment A Summary of Speeches and Public Communications.
18. List all digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if
possible.
N/A
19. 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.
May 4, 2015--Provided oral testimony and written statement
before The United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science
and Transportation, Field Hearing, Newark, NJ, regarding the
Gateway Project and the necessity for increased Federal capital
support. Hearing entitled, ``Passenger Rail Reauthorization:
The Future of the Northeast Corridor.''
December 10, 2014--Provided oral testimony and written
statement before The United States Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Surface
Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and
Security, Washington, DC, regarding future of passenger rail
and necessity for increased Federal capital support. Hearing
entitled, ``Passenger Rail: Investing in our Nation's Future.''
November 18, 2009--Provided oral testimony and written
statement before The United States Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science and Transportation, Washington, DC, regarding
to my nomination to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of
Directors.
October 4, 2007--Provided oral testimony and submitted
written statement for hearing on ``The SAFE Port Act: One Year
Later,'' The United States Senate Committee on Commerce,
Science and Transportation, Washington, DC.
20. 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?
I have considerable public sector experience relating to the
infrastructure and transportation industries generally and nearly two
decades working with transit and intercity passenger rail providers.
This includes service on the Amtrak Board since June 2010 and as Chair
since March 2013. In addition, I have over 30 years of private sector
experience in related areas, including real estate, finance and
corporate governance and believe that this combination of experience at
the intersection of the public and private sectors allowed me to make
meaningful contributions to Amtrak and the advancement of the Nation's
intercity passenger rail system.
In short, I wish to serve on Amtrak's board of directors because a
vibrant intercity rail system is critical to America's economic future,
and I believe I have the requisite qualifications to help Amtrak
achieve that goal.
21. 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 re-confirmed as an Amtrak board member, my responsibilities
would include helping to establish Amtrak's strategy for growth and
success, along with implementation of the recently enacted bipartisan
infrastructure law. I will continue my efforts to strengthen Amtrak
project and program management capabilities, management and accounting
controls and collaboration efforts with key Amtrak partners and
stakeholders, including state and commuter agencies, host railroads and
the Department of Transportation. I will keep apprised of best
practices relating to management, technology, strategy within the rail
industry and advance incorporation of such controls by Amtrak. I will
discharge these responsibilities through attendance at meetings of the
Amtrak Board of Directors and regular interaction, consultation and
dialogue with Amtrak executive staff.
As Chairman of the Port Authority, I exercised broad policy
oversight responsibility in connection with the agency's varied
businesses and multi-billion dollar annual capital and operating
budget. My role also included advancing the mission and promoting the
objectives of the Port Authority to the general public. During my
tenure, I spearheaded the adoption of the agency's 10-year capital
plan. I also led the first major effort at the Port Authority in 26
years to amend the agency's by-laws. The amended by-laws included a
variety of measures intended to enhance the Port Authority's
transparency and strengthen its management and accounting controls.
I am also a Partner and Executive Committee member of Windels Marx
Lane & Mittendorf, LLP, one of the New York region's oldest law firms.
I am a member of the Film's Corporate & Securities, Financial
Transactions and Real Estate Practice Groups. My practice focuses
primarily on corporate, commercial and real estate matters, with a
concentration on the financial elements of these transactions. I
represent financial institutions, investors and major corporations on a
broad variety of matters, including corporate and real estate finance
transactions, asset restructure and recovery, regulatory compliance,
mergers and acquisitions and general litigation. In addition, I
regularly advise real estate developers, private equity firms,
technology companies, not-for-profit organizations and utilities. I
also have specific experience in the area of redevelopment finance and
have worked extensively on corporate governance issues.
From February 1992 to March 2003, I served as Chairman of the New
Jersey Economic Development Authority (``NJEDA''), one of the largest
state-sponsored development banks in the United States. The NJEDA, with
more than $2 billion in assets and $14 billion in financing, is charged
with strengthening the state's economic base and renewing communities
through business expansion and attraction, job creation and retention
and revitalization of underutilized properties.
I have also served as a director and audit committee member of
several public and closely held corporations in the financial services,
investment banking, real estate and manufacturing sectors.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
The top three challenges are:
1. For decades, the top challenge for Amtrak is the lack of reliable
capital funding to replace and rehabilitate our aged assets.
However, now that the IIJA was enacted, Amtrak and our partners
will receive historic levels of Federal investment in passenger
rail to finally help address SOGR backlog as well as begin to
modernize our rail assets. The challenge is that we must
deliver these infrastructure projects in a prudent manner--on
time and on budget--for the American taxpayer. In addition,
while the IIJA is a critical down payment on improving these
aged assets, it is simply not sufficient to meet all of the
needs, both on the NEC and throughout our National Network.
With the funding now provided, plus continued annual
appropriations now authorized by Congress over the near term,
Amtrak can develop a long-term capital investment plan that
results in better, more comprehensive passenger rail service
throughout the country.
2. Persuading the public-at-large that travel by rail is a
meaningful alternative to driving or flying for short-or
middle-distance travel. With the exception of the Northeast
Corridor and limited areas in the South, Midwest and West Coast
where significant investments were made to develop a modem
system, intercity passenger rail in the United States currently
provides important but admittedly limited options to travelers
because of sparse frequencies, reliability challenges and
lengthy travel times. As a result, demand in such markets
suffers as travelers choose road or air, leading to congestion
on those intercity corridors. I believe that a vibrant
intercity rail system that can offer trip time competitive,
multi-frequency travel options creates viable new options for
mobility and help relieve congestion on the roads and in the
air, resulting in higher economic productivity, fewer
greenhouse gases, and greater economic opportunities for
currently underserved communities and individuals. With
enactment of the bipartisan infrastructure law, we can begin
addressing the key markets that deserve passenger rail service,
but to date are underserved or unserved completely.
3. Improving the planning, development and execution of Amtrak's new
vision, major projects and historic levels of funding. In order
to sustain the trust of the general public and Congress
following the enactment of the IIJA, Amtrak must develop the
capacity, expertise, and know-how to deliver new and expanded
services across the county in partnership with a wide variety
of stakeholders and counterparties. If re-confirmed, I will
continue to push Amtrak to improve its capabilities to serve
our partners and stakeholders, including the States and
commuter authorities that are essential to the Amtrak system,
and to strive to find solutions with our various host railroads
that permit Amtrak to grow and properly serve customers.
Improving transparency and accountability of Amtrak's board and
management staff and improving the execution of the agency's
major projects. Amtrak already took significant steps in this
area and, if re-confirmed, I will continue to push Amtrak to
clearly state the results of our business, identify our
challenges, propose responsible solutions and communicate with
our partners and stakeholders, including the States and
commuter authorities essential to the Amtrak system.
Equally, the company must demonstrate an ability to use taxpayer
funds wisely and efficiently. As Amtrak enters an era of
capital renewals and expansion, supported by the investments
that will be made by the IIJA, Amtrak must shift from an
organization preliminary focused on preservation and
maintenance of existing assets to one focused on delivering
major projects and expanding assets to accommodate growth. This
will require a renewed focus on project execution and
procurement processes and greater sophistication in Amtrak's
planning and project management capacity. If re-confirmed, I
will work with my fellow Board members to drive improvements in
all of these areas.
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.
My arrangements are fully described in Part III of my Executive
Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). In
connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with the
Amtrak Chief Ethics Officer and General Counsel to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics which has been provided to this Committee.
I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of interest.
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.
My arrangements are fully described in Part III of my Executive
Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). In
connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with the
Office of the Government Ethics and the Amtrak Chief Ethics Officer and
General Counsel to identify potential conflicts of interest. Any
potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in accordance with the
Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the
terms of the Authority's Ethics Opinion Letter which has been provided
to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of
interest.
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. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
My arrangements are fully described in Part III of my Executive
Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). In
connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with the
Office of the Government Ethics and the Amtrak Chief Ethics Officer and
General Counsel to identify potential conflicts of interest. Any
potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in accordance with the
Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and the
terms of the Authority's Ethics Opinion Letter which has been provided
to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of
interest.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten 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. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I consulted with the
Office of Government Ethics and the AMTRAK Board of Directors'
designated agency ethics official to identify any potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I entered into
with the Board's designated agency ethics official and that was
provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential
conflicts of interest.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I consulted with the
Office of Gove1nment Ethics and the Amtrak Board of Directors'
designated agency ethics official to identify any potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I entered into
with the Board's designated agency ethics official and that was
provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential
conflicts of interest.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented, 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.
In connection with my role as Chair, my activities have included
offering support for the Amtrak appropriations and Legislative and
Grants requests; support for modifications to the RRIF program for
major infrastructure projects; support for developing a dedicated,
multi-year source of funding for intercity passenger rail; coordination
with the DOT on issues pertaining to various DOT-administered programs,
grants and other funding applicable to Amtrak; coordination with DOT on
major Amtrak procurements; support for various measures impacting
intercity passenger rail including reauthorization of PRIIA; Surface
Transportation bill; Grow America; support adoption of comprehensive
port security legislation (pending); and support increased Federal
funding of harbor deepening program. I have also argued in opposition
to airport slot auctions and supported increased Federal funding of a
Next Generation air traffic control system; increased Federal funding
for rail security; and support a national infrastructure bank.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? If yes:
a. Provide the name of agency, association, committee, or group;
b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action was issued or initiated;
c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action;
d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
complaint, or personnel action.
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 or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
explain.
Since 1990, I have been a partner of Windels Marx Lane &
Mittendorf, LLP a law firm of approximately 140 attorneys. While not an
officer of the Firm, I am a member of its Executive Committee. WMLM is
periodically a party to civil litigation in the ordinary course of its
business.
Defendant in a civil lawsuit filed against the Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey on November 12, 2010. The lawsuit was a 442
employment suit heard by the U.S. District Court Southern District of
New York and the cause is listed as the Civil Rights Act 42USC 1983.
The case is closed. [Case No: 1: 10cv8580]
Defendant in a civil lawsuit filed against the Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey on March 2, 2010. The lawsuit was a 442
employment suit heard by the U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
and the cause is listed as job discrimination 42 USC 2000e. The
disposition of the case is not listed. [Case No: 2:10cvl 055]
Defendant in official capacity as Chairman of the Board of
Directors at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey in a civil
lawsuit filed against the state of New York on July 6, 2006. The
lawsuit was a 440 civil rights suit heard by the Eastern District Court
of New York and the cause is listed as the Civil Rights Act 42USC 1983.
The case is closed. [Case No: 1:06cv3392]
Defendant in New York County in a professional malpractice lawsuit
brought by Consulting For Architects Inc., filed on March 2, 1995.
Defendants in the lawsuit include me, Stephen C Green, and law firm
Windels Marx Davies & Ives. [Index No: 10517895]
Yes, as far as administrative agency proceedings and civil
litigation--and no, as far as any criminal proceeding against Amtrak in
the period of my service on the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Occasionally, oversight from Federal agencies, such as the Federal
Railroad Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and
the Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General results in
the performance of an investigation of Amtrak's operations.
Regarding Civil Litigation and other proceedings, Amtrak is the
defendant or respondent in various personal injury, employment,
contract, intellectual property, environmental claims/cases, arising in
the ordinary course of the Corporation's business and operations.
Additionally, Amtrak occasionally asserts rights as the plaintiff or
other proponent in various contract, insurance and environmental
recovery and other Amtrak rights-affirming claims and cases, as well as
matters before the Surface Transportation Board and Federal courts to
advance Amtrak's rights and interests under statute and contract, with
respect to the Corporation's Congressionally-mandated mission.
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, and that
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? 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.
______
Attachment A
Summary of Prior Speeches and Public Communications in Response to
Question 17
Speeches
6/28/21 New York Penn Station Tour with Senator Schumer and
United States Secretary of Transportation Peter Buttigieg
4/29/21 Amtrak 50th Anniversary Media Call
RPA event April 2021
1/1/21 Moynihan Event--(Attended, didn't speak, drafted
remarks)
11/23/20 Amtrak Year End Summary Media Call
4/23/20 Amtrak Covid Media Conference Call
11/8/19 Amtrak Year End Summary Media Call
10/15/19 Amtrak Power in Partnership NBK
2/13/19 Amtrak Power in Partnership NYP
3/15/19--NAIOP NJ Public Policy Symposium, Speaker
4/17/18--Regional Plan Assembly, John Zuccotti Award Remarks
9/12/17--Association for a Better New York--Discussion on
the Summer 2017 Penn Station infrastructure progress and
additional improvements planned, as well as an update on the
Gateway Program, Speaker
5/2/16--Crain's Real Estate Conference--Panel Discussion on
``Taking the Measure of Penn Station and the Cuomo
Administration's Plans for It''
5/7/15--Port Authority/Regional Plan Association Trans-
Hudson Conference, Speaker
4/24/15--Regional Plan Association, The RPA Assembly,
Plenary Debate
10/23/14--Urban Land Institute, Fall Meeting,
``Transformative Projects: New York Style,'' Panelist
9/30/14--New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, Roundtable on
Transportation, Speaker
5/12/14--Newark Regional Business Partnership,
Transportation Leadership Awards, Keynote Speaker
11/18/13--Governing/United Water Inc., Roundtable:
Transformative Water Management, Speaker
9/9/13--New Jersey Alliance for Action, Annual
Transportation Conference, Speaker
6/4/13--Governing/United Water Inc., Transformative Water
Management Roundtable, Speaker
7/11/12--(Amtrak) Congress Opening & Political Speeches, UIC
8TH WORLD CONGRESS ON HIGH SPEED RAIL, Speaker
6/13/12--Regional Plan Association, Trans County Capacity
Gateway Program, ``Crossing the Hudson: What's Next for
Enhancing Trans-Hudson Capacity?'' Closing Remarks, Speaker
5/23/12--New Jersey Alliance for Action, Transp01iation
Conference, Speaker
5/8/12--Amtrak, 5th Annual National Train Day Event at
Moynihan Station, Speaker
4/7/12--Regional Plan Association, 2012 Assembly, Expert
panelist on transportation.--Closing Remarks, comments reported
in The Star-Ledger: ``Hudson River rail tunnel project has new
name, but same concerns over funding.''
11/1/11--Regional Plan Association and the Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, ``Road to Recovery:
Transforming America's Transportation,'' Panel Discussion,
Speaker
7/19/11--Crain's New York, 4th Annual ``The Future of New
York City 2011: Meeting the Growth Challenge'', ``Can the City
Afford World Class Infrastructure?'' Panel, Moderator
6/2/11--ULI Infrastructure Conference, Regional
Infrastructure 2011: A Strategic Priority Panel, Panelist
5/10/11--NJ Biz, Gateway to International Trade event,
Welcoming Remarks
5/4/11--Catholic Finance Association, Implications and
Solutions for a Growing Public Debt, Panelist
4/15/11--Regional Plan Association, 21st Annual Regional
Assembly Luncheon--Finance Innovation Workshop, Panelist
Spring 2011--The Institute for Real Estate Studies (IRES),
Spring 2011 Board Meeting, Keynote Speaker, http://
www.smeal.psu.edu/ires/realestate/news/spring-2011/institute-
for-real estate-studies-spring-board-meeting
1/20/11--CG-LA Infrastructure, Annual Global Strategic
Infrastructure Leadership Forum, Speaker
9/15/10--Partnership for New York City, Next Gen Briefing,
Speaker
4/13/09--New Jersey Alliance for Action, Annual Governor's
Transportation Conference, Speaker
3/6/09--Princeton University Woodrow Wilson School of
Government, ``Transportation & Infrastructure Issues for the
Next Decade,'' Speaker
11/7/08--Saint Peter's College, Board of Regents 37th Annual
Business Symposium, ``Leadership and Accountability in
Challenging Times,'' Speaker
4/15/08--Crain's New York, Business Breakfast Forum, Speaker
4/2/08--National Association of Industrial Office Parks,
Industrial Conference, Speaker
5/17/07--New Jersey Institute of Technology, Commencement,
Speaker
6/13/06--Crain's New York, Business Breakfast, Speaker
5/10/06--New Jersey Alliance for Action, Speaker
9/15/05--Urban Land Institute, Speaker
News Releases/Statements
5/2022:
Renominated to third term on Amtrak board of directors
4/2022:
At last, commuters will see construction of a new
Portal Bridge from their train windows
Board Chair Tony Coscia and President & CEO Stephen
Gardner filmed content about the future of rail at Moynihan
Train Hall with PBS (not yet aired)
2/2022:
Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia was ranked No. 1 in this
year's NJ Biz Power 100
1/2022:
Lamont Talks High-speed Rail with Amtrak Officials, No
Word on Bypass Plans
Spoke with Bloomberg, along with President and CEO
Stephen Gardner and EVP Laura Mason for an article around
Governor Hochul's plans for Penn Station and Amtrak's
perspective on the project
12/2021:
The Jersey guy behind Amtrak's coming rebirth | Moran
MTA and Amtrak reach deal to expand transit options
Hudson River rail tunnel gets green light from the
feds to start building it
Amtrak Announces Bill Flynn to Retire and Names
Stephen Gardner as New President and CEO
Amtrak Fiscal Year 2021: Amidst Continuing Coronavirus
Pandemic, Grew Ridership and Revenue and Introduced New
Projects and Initiatives for the Future
11/2021:
On President Biden signing the Bipartisan
Infrastructure Deal
On the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act House
Passage
Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia was ranked No. 1 in
this year's NJ Biz Commercial Real Estate Power 50
A delayed transportation infrastructure project moves
forward in the Northeast Corridor (filmed earlier in the
year)
11/15/21: Statement from Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia on
President Biden signing the Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
11/5/21: Amtrak Statements on the Infrastructure Investment
and Jobs Act House Passage
8/27/21: New Financial Plan Should Qualify Hudson Tunnel
Project for Improved Rating
8/10/21: Statement from Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia on
Infrastructure Bill Senate Passage
4/30/21: Amtrak at 50: Looking to the Future
1/21/21: Amtrak Statement by Board Chairman Tony Coscia on
the Nomination of Amit Bose as Deputy Administrator of the
Federal Railroad Administration
1/18/21: Amtrak Statement by Board Chairman Tony Coscia on
the Nomination of Polly Trottenberg as Deputy Secretary of
Transportation
12/30/20: Amtrak Expands its Presence in New York City with
the Addition of the Moynihan Train Hall
12/15/20: Amtrak Statement by Board Chair Tony Coscia on the
Nomination of Pete Buttigieg as USDOT Secretary
11/23/20: Amtrak Fiscal Year 2020: Prioritized Customer
Safety, Advanced Infrastructure and Fast-Tracked Technology
11/20/20: Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT Complete the Refresh of the
Ticketed Waiting Area at New York Penn Station
10/28/20: Amtrak Statement by Board Chair Tony Coscia on the
Opening of Moynihan Train Hall
7/24/20: Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT Open First Phase of the
Refreshed Ticketed Waiting Area at New York Penn Station
3/2/20: Amtrak Names William Flynn as CEO and President
11/8/19: Improved Safety and Customer Experience Drive
Record Amtrak Ridership
10/15/19: Governor Murphy, Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT Continue
Collaboration Through Fall Construction Program at Four
Stations
5/14/19: Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT Continue Partnership with $31
Million Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Investment
5/1/19: Amtrak Celebrates 48 Years; Looks to the Future
3/7/19: Statement from Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia and
Amtrak President & CEO Richard Anderson
2/13/19: Governor Murphy, Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT Announce
Financial Settlement, Enhancements for Commuters In and Out of
New York Penn Station
2/1/19: Amtrak Board Names Kevin Winters Inspector General
11/16/18: Amtrak Sets Revenue And Earnings Records Delivers
Best Operating Performance in Company History
3/21/18: Amtrak To Name Rochester Station In Honor of
Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter
12/14/17: Wick Moorman To Step Down As Amtrak Co-CEO, Assume
Role of Senior Advisor
11/16/17: Amtrak Sets Ridership, Revenue And Earnings
Records
6/26/17: Amtrak Names Transportation Veteran Richard
Anderson President and CEO
11/17/16: Amtrak Delivers Strong FY 2016 Financial Results
1/31/17: Amtrak Welcomes Aboard U.S. Secretary of
Transportation Elaine Chao
10/14/16: Secretary Foxx, Sens. Schumer, Gillibrand,
Menendez & Booker, Chairman Coscia Announce Major Development
For Urgently-Needed Gateway Program
8/26/16: Amtrak Invests $2.4 Billion For Next-Gen High-Speed
Trainsets and Infrastructure Upgrades
8/19/16: Amtrak Names Indust1y Veteran Wick Moorman
President and Chief Executive Officer
12/16/15: Statement from Amtrak Board of Directors Chairman
Tony Coscia
12/10/14: Amtrak: Unlock Passenger Rail's Potential
11/25/14: Amtrak Delivers Strong FY2014 Financial Results
10/27/14: Amtrak Ridership and Revenues Continue Strong
Growth in FY 2014
3/18/13: Antony R. Coscia Elected Chairman, Amtrak Board of
Directors
5/30/13: Statement From Amtrak Board of Directors Chairman
Tony Coscia ON Funding Announcement To Preserve Hudson Future
Rail Tunnel Right-of-Way
Op-Eds
3/2/22: Op-ed featured on NJ.com/The Star-Ledger
8/19/21, WSJ: Amtrak Defends Its Vision of U.S. Rail Service
7/11/21, NJ.com: Amtrak chairman: Don't let this moment
pass. It's time to build Gateway. | Opinion
7/7/2020, International Business Times: How To Get Back on
Track After COVID-19
9/22/20, The Star Ledger (Newark, NJ): Amtrak Says It Must
Repair Its Crumbling Storm Ravaged Hudson River Train Tunnel
11/13/20, The Hill: Passenger rail investment offers non-
stop service to a prosperous economy
11/23/20, Railway Age: Defining Amtrak's True Mission
Also featured on Rail Journal
Videos
5/21: Amtrak 50th Anniversary Video
4/26/21: Day on the Hill 2021 Keynote Speaker
10/17/19: Governor Murphy, Amtrak, and NJ TRANSIT Announce
Fall 2019 Construction Program at Four Stations
______
The Chair. Thank you very much. Mr. Koos, welcome. Thank
you very much. Is that right, Koos?
Mr. Koos. Koos. That is it.
The Chair. Thank you.
STATEMENT OF CHRISTOPHER KOOS, NOMINEE TO BE A DIRECTOR, AMTRAK
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Koos. Chairman Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and
members of this committee, thank you for the opportunity to
testify before you today. I am Chris Koos, the Mayor of Normal,
Illinois.
I am deeply honored to be nominated to serve on Amtrak's
Board of Directors, to which I bring my experience as a Mayor,
small business owner, Vice Chair for Passenger Rail of the U.S.
Conference of Mayors, and a frequent Amtrak customer.
Normal, the home of Illinois State University, is adjacent
to the City of Bloomington and roughly midway between Chicago
and Saint Louis.
Amtrak's multimodal Bloomington Normal Station known as
Uptown Station, is in Uptown Normal and is served by two Amtrak
routes, the Texas Eagle, a long distance route from Chicago to
Saint Louis and San Antonio, and the Lincoln Service, a State
supported route between Chicago and Saint Louis.
As Mayor of Normal, for 19 years I have seen firsthand the
positive impact of expanding and improving Amtrak service. When
I became Mayor, Amtrak's Bloomington Normal Station had less
than 75,000 passengers a year.
In 2010, Normal was awarded one of the first Tiger grants
to replace its small, unattractive Amtrak track station, which
we referred to as Am-shack, with Uptown Station. Uptown Station
was completed just 2 years later on time and within budget,
thanks to a successful partnership among all levels of
Government, local contractors, and unions.
Its construction created hundreds of good paying jobs, and
the project received a LEED Silver certification for its
environmentally responsible construction and design. In
addition to Amtrak, Uptown Station includes spaces for public
transit, regional busses, and town offices. It is adjacent to
Constitution Trail, a bicycle and pedestrian trail that you--
transverses the community.
The station has been an incredible success. It is the
busiest Amtrak station in Illinois after Chicago Union Station.
Ridership has more than tripled since I became Mayor to nearly
230,000 a year in pre-pandemic 2019. Private spin off
development spurred by Uptown Station, including housing,
totaled $175 million.
Today's Uptown Station is the anchor of a vibrant, mixed
use downtown that includes a children's museum, two hotels, a
conference center, and attractive public places, all easily
accessible to residents of Chicago and Saint Louis and many
other places served by Amtrak. The key to our success is
partnership and engagement by all levels of Government, the
private sector, the community, and all those who recognize the
benefits that supporting and investing in passenger rail could
provide.
As a member of Amtrak's Board, I will work to develop
positive, unified relationships among all intercity passenger
rail stakeholders, like those that led to Uptown Station's
success. There are hundreds of cities and towns throughout the
United States, including many not served by Amtrak today, that
could and should experience the mobility and community
development benefits of passenger rail investment that the
normal residents enjoy.
The Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act provide for the
first time multi-year Federal funding that should attract State
and local and private sector investment. I hope it will set a
stage for establishing an identified, sustainable, long term
funding source for intercity passenger rail like those for
other forms of passenger transportation.
As much as I admire Amtrak, I recognize its need for
improvement. There are several things that I will focus on as a
member of the Board, if confirmed. One of them is long distance
service.
I know how important Amtrak's long distance trains are to
residents of Normal who lack sufficient airport access, as well
as other travelers from rural communities I have met on the
Texas Eagle, for instance, many of them who use the train for
short distance trips because no other public transportation
option is available.
Often overlooked is the fact that the long distance trains
also provide a significant portion of Amtrak service on many
short distance corridors. Amtrak also plays a major role in the
mobility and independence of the disability community, all of
whom should experience accessible and reliable service when
they travel by Amtrak.
Amtrak needs to go above and beyond the bare minimum for
passengers with disabilities by purchasing rolling stock that
better suits their needs and upgrading transportation
infrastructure.
Amtrak's on time performance must significantly improve,
and freight rail companies must be held accountable for meeting
agreed upon timetables. I am also intent on making Amtrak a
safer system. Grade separation and railroad right of way
improvements that create safer conditions in Normal should be
applied--replicated in other Amtrak communities.
And the 42 year old long--I am sorry, as the 42 year old
long owner of two small retail businesses, I am very focused on
improving the customer experience. I hope to have the
opportunity to work closely with the members and staff of this
committee and all Amtrak stakeholders to create a larger, more
effective, and even safer passenger rail system, and I am happy
to answer any questions you may have.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Koos follow:]
Prepared Statement of Christopher Koos, Nominee to be a Director,
Amtrak Board of Directors
Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and members of the
Committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. I
am Chris Koos, the Mayor of Normal, Illinois. I am deeply honored to be
nominated to serve on Amtrak's Board of Directors, to which I bring my
experience as a mayor, small business owner, Vice Chair for Passenger
Rail of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and frequent Amtrak customer.
Normal, the home of Illinois State University, is adjacent to the
City of Bloomington and roughly midway between Chicago and St. Louis.
Amtrak's multimodal Bloomington-Normal station, known as Uptown
Station, is in downtown Normal, and is served by two Amtrak routes: the
Texas Eagle, a long-distance route from Chicago to St. Louis and San
Antonio, and the Lincoln Service, a state-supported route between
Chicago and St. Louis.
As Mayor of Normal for 19 years, I have seen firsthand the positive
impact of expanding and improving Amtrak service. When I became mayor,
Amtrak's Bloomington-Normal station had less than 75,000 passengers a
year. In 2010, Normal was awarded one of the first TIGER grants to
replace its small, unattractive Amtrak station with Uptown Station.
Uptown Station was completed just two years later, on time and within
budget, thanks to a successful partnership among all levels of
government, local contractors, and unions. Its construction created
hundreds of good-paying jobs, and the project received a LEED Silver
certification for its environmentally responsible construction and
design.
In addition to Amtrak, Uptown Station includes space for public
transit, regional buses, and Town offices. It is adjacent to the
Constitution Trail, a bicycle and pedestrian trail that traverses
Normal and Bloomington.
Uptown Station is an incredible success. It is the busiest Amtrak
station in Illinois after Chicago Union Station. Ridership more than
tripled since I became mayor, to nearly 230,000 a year in pre-pandemic
2019. Private spinoff development spurred by Uptown Station, including
new housing, totaled $175 million.
Today, Uptown Station is the anchor of a vibrant, mixed-use
downtown that includes a Children's Discovery Museum, two hotels, a
conference center, and attractive public spaces--all easily accessible
to residents of Chicago, St. Louis, and many other places served by
Amtrak.
The key to its success is partnership and engagement by all levels
of government, the private sector, and the community, who all
recognized the benefits that supporting and investing in passenger rail
could provide.
As a member of Amtrak's Board, I will work to develop positive,
unified relationships among all intercity passenger rail stakeholders,
like those that led to Uptown Station's success. There are hundreds of
cities and towns throughout the United States, including many not
served by Amtrak today, that could and should experience the mobility
and community development benefits of passenger rail investment that
Normal's residents enjoy. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act
provides, for the first time, multi-year Federal funding that should
attract state, local, and private sector investment. I hope it will set
the stage for establishing an identified, sustainable long-term funding
source for intercity passenger rail, like those for other forms of
passenger transportation.
As much as I admire Amtrak, I recognize its need for improvement.
There are several things I will focus on as a member of the Board, if
confirmed. One of them is long-distance service. I know how important
Amtrak's long-distance trains are to residents of Normal who lack
sufficient airport access, as well as other travelers from rural
communities I've met on the Texas Eagle, many of whom use the train for
short distance trips because no other public transportation option is
available. Often overlooked is the fact that long-distance trains also
provide a significant portion of Amtrak's service on many short
distance corridors.
Amtrak also plays a major role in the mobility and independence of
the disability community, all of whom should experience accessible and
reliable service whenever they travel by Amtrak.
Amtrak needs to go above and beyond the bare minimum for passengers
with disabilities by purchasing rolling stock that better suits their
needs and upgrading station infrastructure.
Amtrak's on-time-performance must be significantly improved, and
freight rail companies must be held accountable for meeting agreed-upon
timetables. I am also intent on making Amtrak a safer system: grade-
separation and railroad right-of-way improvements that created safer
conditions in Normal should be replicated in other communities Amtrak
serves. And as the 42-year long owner of two small retail businesses
I'm very focused on improving customer service.
I hope to have the opportunity to work closely with the Members and
staff of this Committee and all Amtrak stakeholders to create a larger,
more effective, and even safer passenger rail system. I'm happy to
answer any questions you may have.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Christopher C. Koos
Chris Koos
2. Position to which nominated: Director of the Amtrak Board of
Directors.
3. Date of Nomination: 4/29/2022.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: 206 South Linden Street, Normal, IL 61761.
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761--Mayor, City Hall address
5. Date and Place of Birth: 07/06/1948, Bloomington, IL
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).
N/A
Josh Favus (52)
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
No degree, Illinois State University, 1972
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.
Owner--Draisine Limited, 2 retail sporting goods stores
Mayor--Town of Normal, Illinois
9. Attach a copy of your resume. 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 ten years.
Mayor--Town of Normal, Illinois
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 ten years.
N/A
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, frate1nal, benevolent or
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). 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 disability.
Illinois Municipal League--Board Member (2016 to present)
US Conference of Mayors--Vice Chair of Membership (2014 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.
Mayor--Town of Normal, Illinois, elected, no outstanding
campaign debt
14. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.
N/A
15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $200 or more for the past ten years.
2021 Senator Richard Durbin--$250.00
2021 Responsible Cities PAC--$500.00
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
N/A
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. 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.
N/A
18. List digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms.
Indicate whether the account is active, deleted, or dormant.
Include a link to each account if possible.
Active: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-koos-45463a50
Active: https://www.instagram.com/chriskoos/?hl=en
Active: https://www.facebook.com/chris.koos.5/
Active: https://www.facebook.com/mayorchriskoos
Deleted: https://www.facebook.com/votemayorkoos/
19. 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.
July 14, 2016, House Committee on Oversight and Government
Reform, Subcommittee on Transportation and Public Assets held a
hearing entitled ``Lagging Behind: The State of High Speed Rail
in the United States.''
20. 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?
As Mayor, I assisted with the construction of a multimodal
transportation center as part of a Transit Oriented Development of our
central business district. This project took a significant coordination
at the local, state, and Federal level.
Given current funding opportunities, I wish to serve in this
position to work towards engaging in significantly needed
infrastructure upgrades (especially the Northeast corridor) as well
working with the preliminary plans to expand service to major cities
either not served or underserved by Amtrak.
21. 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 want to make sure my vision for the rail service
aligns with those of fellow board members. If confirmed, I will bring
to the table 44 years of retail experience as a business owner and 19
years of leadership experience as Mayor of a town with a population of
over 50,000 residents.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
Funding--Amtrak has been given significant funding to broaden
and strengthen the national system. Managing and budgeting
these dollars will require significant effort and oversight.
Personnel--As most organizations, Amtrak will likely struggle
to return to pre COVID employment levels. In addition, with
expanded funding, more people will be needed to effectively
implement an expanded Amtrak.
Ridership--On time performance continues to be a problem. It is
difficult to accommodate the business traveler without reliable
and dependable performance. Also, the customer experience must
improve, be it newer coaches, better meal options and
amenities.
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.
My arrangements are fully described in Part III of my Executive
Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). In
connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with the
designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion Letter which has
been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential
conflicts of interest.
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.
Yes. My arrangements are fully described in Part III of my
Executive Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Fonn
450). In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
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. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten 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. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented, 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.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? 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 or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
explain.
Personal Lawsuit filed against me as mayor regarding a real estate
transaction--dismissed. An LLC in a failed attempt to get a zoning
change on a property sued the Town of Normal Illinois and me personally
as mayor. The suit was dismissed in Federal Court.
Lawsuit as mayor/liquor commissioner, tortuous interference. As
Liquor Commissioner for the Town of Normal, Illinois, I would not issue
a liquor license to the buyer of an existing store until the contract
for sale was executed. The contract was not executed by a drop-dead
date between the parties. The lawsuit was dismissed in Circuit Court.
Two suits against the Sub S Corporation, which I own and operate in
the late 1980s, for personal injury liability. These were lawsuits in
which I and my business were named as were promoters and sponsors of
these bike races. These suits were dismissed in Circuit Court.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? 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? 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, and that
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? 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 Chair. Thank you. Mr. Lathem, welcome. Congratulations
on your nomination.
STATEMENT OF SAMUEL E. LATHEM, NOMINEE TO BE A DIRECTOR, AMTRAK
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Lathem. Chairman Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and
other members of the Committee, my name is Samuel E. Lathem,
the E for Elijah, and I appreciate the opportunity to appear
before you today. Let me tell you a little about my background.
I began working at the Chrysler plant in Newark, Delaware, in
1965.
I served in numerous leadership positions as a member of
the United Auto Workers, and with the AFL-CIO. Culminating in
my election as President of the Delaware State AFL-CIO in 2003.
As you noted, as the first African American elected to that
post. Also served as Administrator for the UAW Chrysler
Training Center at the North plant. I have decades experience
as a Board member of Governmental and quasi-Governmental
entities since 2001.
I have been a Commissioner of the Delaware River Bay
Authority, or DRBA, and currently serve as Vice Chairman. The
DRBA is a bi-state, quasi-Governmental operation, operates the
Delaware Memorial Bridge, three airports, and the Cape May
Lewes Ferry.
I am also a former Board member of the Diamond State Port
Corporation, a corporate entity of the State of Delaware to
operate the Port of Wilmington. Like Amtrak, DRBA and Diamond
State are Governmentally accredited entities with a public
mission that engage in commercial transportation activities
that generate much of their funding.
The Cape May Lewes Ferry carries over 700,000 passengers a
year, and it is an essential service for many of his
passengers. My involvement with public transportation through
the ferry is one of the things that made me interested in
serving on this Amtrak Board. I have extensive experience in
the nonprofit sector, as a Board member of numerous charitable,
educational, labor, and citizen organizations.
These organizations include Junior Achievement, the
Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, the United Way of
Delaware, and my proudest,4-H Foundation Committee. I formally
chaired the Delaware Advisory Council on Career and
Vocational--I am sorry, they changed it from Vocational,
Technical Education.
I am also an ordained Baptist preacher and serve as
Associate Minister at Cornerstone Fellowship Baptist Church in
Wilmington. Honorary past Grand Master, Prince Hall, large
State and jurisdiction of Delaware. I know how important Amtrak
is not just to travelers, but to the communities where its
employees work and live throughout the country.
I live in Bear, Delaware, where one of Amtrak's three major
equipment maintenance facilities is located. Amtrak service in
rural areas is of particular interest to me. This may surprise
some people, but outside of the Wilmington area, Delaware is
predominantly a rural State.
From my involvement in statewide organizations, I know many
people who live in rural parts of Delaware who do not have
access to Amtrak or other public transportation services they
want and need. From my experience in transportation and labor
organizations, and many years of service on a wide variety of
Boards, I would bring a unique perspective to Amtrak's Board,
if confirmed.
I am very familiar with the challenges faced by
organizations like Amtrak that require both a public mission
and engagement in commercial business activities, while
simultaneously being accountable to elected and Governmental
officials.
As a union official and a Board member of organizations
with agreement covered work forces, I have worked on both sides
of labor management issues. 21 years of service on a bi-state
Board gives me experience in dealing with multiple Governmental
jurisdictions that sometimes support different objectives.
I have learned how to work with people with different views
and perspectives, and the importance of seeking compromise that
produce a win-win for both sides. I believe my experience in
vocational education and training is particularly relevant
because Amtrak's biggest challenges will be finding and
training large numbers of workers to construct projects funded
by last year's infrastructure bill.
I am interested in looking into Amtrak's current efforts to
recruit from historically black colleges and universities,
something I know the Ranking Member and others this committee
care about deeply. I thank you for your time, and if confirmed,
look forward to serving on Amtrak's Board. Thank you, Madam
Chairman.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Lathem follow:]
Prepared Statement of Samuel E. Lathem, Nominee to be a Director,
Amtrak Board of Directors
Good morning, Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and other
members of the Committee. My name is Samuel E. Lathem, and I appreciate
the opportunity to appear before you today.
Let me tell you about my background. I began working at the
Chrysler Plant in Newark, Delaware in 1965. I served in numerous
leadership positions as a member of the United Auto Workers (UAW) and
with the AFL-CIO, culminating in my election as President of the
Delaware State AFL-CIO in 2003. I also served as Administrator of the
UAW-Chrysler Training Center at the Newark Plant.
I have decades of experience as a Board member of governmental and
quasi-governmental entities. Since 2001, I have been a Commissioner of
the Delaware River Bay Authority, or DRBA, and currently serve as Vice
Chair. The DRBA, a bi-state quasi-governmental corporation, operates
the Delaware Memorial Bridge, three airports, and the Cape May-Lewes
Ferry. I am also a former Board member of the Diamond State Port
Corporation, a corporate entity of the State of Delaware that operates
the Port of Wilmington.
Like Amtrak, DRBA and Diamond State are governmentally created
entities with a public mission that engage in commercial transportation
activities that generate much of their funding. The Cape May-Lewes
Ferry carries over 700,000 passengers a year and is an essential
service for many of its passengers. My involvement with public
transportation through the Ferry is one of the things that made me
interested in serving on Amtrak's Board.
I have extensive experience in the non-profit sector as a Board
member for numerous charitable, educational, labor, and citizen
organizations. These organizations include Junior Achievement, the
Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, the United Way of Delaware, and
the 4-H Foundation Committee. I formerly chaired the Delaware Advisory
Council on Career and Vocational Education. I am also an ordained
Baptist preacher and serve as Associate Minister at Cornerstone
Fellowship Baptist Church in Wilmington.
I know how important Amtrak is, not just to travelers but to the
communities where its employees work and live throughout the country. I
live in Bear, Delaware, where one of Amtrak's three major equipment
maintenance facilities is located. Amtrak service in rural areas is of
particular interest to me. This may surprise some people, but outside
of the Wilmington area, Delaware is a predominantly rural state. From
my involvement in statewide organizations, I know many people who live
in rural parts of Delaware who don't have access to Amtrak or other
public transportation services they want and need.
From my experience in transportation and labor organizations, and
many years of service on a wide variety of Boards, I would bring a
unique perspective to Amtrak's Board if confirmed. I am very familiar
with the challenges faced by organizations like Amtrak that require
both a public mission and engagement in commercial business activities,
while simultaneously being accountable to elected and governmental
officials. As a union official and a Board member of organizations with
agreement-covered workforces, I have worked on both sides of labor-
management issues. Twenty-one years of service on a bi-state Board
gives me experience in dealing with multiple governmental jurisdictions
that sometimes support different objectives. I learned how to work with
people with different views and perspectives, and the importance of
seeking compromises that produce a ``win/win'' for both sides.
I believe my experience in vocational education and training is
particularly relevant, because one of Amtrak's biggest challenges will
be finding and training large numbers of workers to construct projects
funded by last year's Infrastructure Bill. I am interested in looking
into Amtrak's current efforts to recruit from Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), something I know the Ranking Member
and others on this Committee care about deeply.
I thank you for your time, and if confirmed look forward to the
serving on Amtrak's Board.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Samuel Elijah
Lathem.
2. Position to which nominated: Director of the Amtrak Board of
Directors.
3. Date of Nomination: April 29, 2022.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: Information not provided.
5. Date and Place of Birth: 10/22/1943; Woodlyn, Pennsylvania.
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).
Jean Koch Lathem; retired; Stepchildren: Rudy R. Koch--age 59;
Allan E. Koch--age 57.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
None.
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.
In 1965, I began work at the Chrysler Plant in Newark,
Delaware, was elected and served two 3-year terms as Chief
Steward in the Body Shop at Newark Assembly Plant and appointed
as Civil Rights Chairman of Local 1183 UAW.
In 1990 I was assigned the position of Administrator of the
UAW-Chrysler Training Center.
In February 1999 I was promoted to an International Rep of the
UAW.
On October 4, 2003, I was elected as the first African-American
President of Delaware State AFL-CIO, a position he held until
2015.
9. Attach a copy of your resume. 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 ten years.
Interagency Council on Literacy
Board of Directors for the Diamond State Port Corporation (Port
of Wilmington)
Delaware Workforce Investment Board
Chairman of Delaware Advisory Council on Career and Vocational
Education
Commissioner on the Board of Directors of the Delaware River &
Bay Authority
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 ten years.
Board of Directors for the Diamond State Port Corporation (Port
of Wilmington); Commissioner on the Board of Directors of the
Delaware River & Bay Authority.
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). 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 disability.
Board of Directors for Junior Achievement
Kids Count Steering Committee
4-H Foundation Committee
Board of Directors of SURJ (Stand up for What's Right and Just)
Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League
United Way of Delaware
Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
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. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None.
15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $200 or more for the past ten years. None.
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
State of Delaware, Department of Military Affairs, Office of
Adjutant General Distinguished Service Medal, December 3, 2015
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. 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.
18. List all digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if
possible. None.
19. 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.
20. 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?
I have over 30 years' experience in working with Amtrak, from my
relationships in Delaware, which extend from the Bear Yard to the
Regional Headquarters to the management of the Joseph R. Biden, Jr.,
Railroad Station in Wilmington, DE. As President of the Delaware AFL-
CIO, I worked tirelessly to advance interest of all unions involved in
Amtrak's system and supported diversity and inclusion efforts by
providing a difference perspective. I understand the role Federal and
state legislatures play in advancing interests to invest in passenger
rail and the economic impacts needed to modernize not just the
Northeast Corridor but the entire U.S. rail system. As a citizen, it
concerns me that we have lagged behind the rest of the world in
offering first class passenger rail services in our country. I believe
it is my patriotic duty to serve my country in this role.
21. 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?
As both regional administrator for the UAW and President of a union
organization with 45,000 members in the State of Delaware, I believe I
understand budgetary challenges that Amtrak faces and in addition I
understand the importance of and am familiar with standards for board
governance and oversight of management and accounting controls.
Further, I have first-hand experience as President of multiple boards,
including the Delaware River & Bay Authority, and have demonstrated
fiduciary responsibility to administer funds. Based on my experience on
multiple boards, I understand the elements of oversight that are
critical to the governance of Amtrak, and most importantly, to its
long-term viability.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
(1) Ensuring the safety and security of Amtrak passengers and
employees;
(2) Providing the level of investment needed for capital projects; The
COVID-19 pandemic created major budget challenges that will
cause Amtrak to seek more governmental support than is typical.
(3) Recruiting and retaining a highly skilled workforce; During the
COVID-19 pandemic, there was a need to reduce the Amtrak
workforce through a series of layoffs and furloughs, so it will
be challenging to backfill positions with the specialized
skills needed for a modern workforce.
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.
My arrangements are fully described in Part III of my Executive
Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). In
connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with the
designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion Letter which has
been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential
conflicts of interest.
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.
My arrangements are fully described in Part III of my Executive
Branch Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). In
connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with the
designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion Letter which has
been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential
conflicts of interest.
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. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten 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. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the designated Amtrak ethics representative to identify potential
conflicts of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be
resolved in accordance with the Amtrak Board of Directors' Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and the terms of Amtrak's Ethics Opinion
Letter which has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any
other potential conflicts of interest.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented, 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.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? No.
If yes:
a. Provide the name of agency, association, committee, or group;
b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action was issued or initiated;
c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action;
d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
complaint, or personnel action.
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 or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal 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.
N/A
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees, and that
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? 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 Chair. Thank you, Mr. Lathem. Ms. Weissmann, welcome.
STATEMENT OF ROBIN L. WIESSMANN, NOMINEE TO BE A DIRECTOR,
AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ms. Weissmann. Thank you so much. Good morning, Chair
Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, Senator Moran, Senator
Blumenthal, and Senator Hickenlooper, and other members of the
Committee. I am very pleased to be with you today to explain
why I hope to serve on Amtrak's Board of Directors, and the
contributions I can make.
My background as a lawyer by training and over many years
in finance and infrastructure investment is not unusual for a
prospective Board member. However, while I have considerable
Board experience, what makes me particularly well-suited for
the Amtrak Board is my unique background and experience in both
the private and public sectors.
I view myself as a purpose driven professional who is
dedicated to public service. I was a founding principle and
president of the first woman owned investment banking firm on
Wall Street, served as Chairman of the Board of a mutual fund,
and held positions at major investment and securities firms.
I have also served as State Treasurer of the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania, where I was custodian for more than $120
billion in public assets, and as Pennsylvania's Secretary of
Banking and Securities. Additionally, I have held appointive
positions on numerous Federal and State Boards responsible for
financial oversight, securities regulation, and economic
development.
I currently serve as Executive Director and CEO of the
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency, where I manage operations
and direct initiatives that promote development of affordable
housing and provide financing for homeownership.
In that position and many of the other public sector roles
over the years, I have used my extensive experience in bringing
together public and private entities on projects intended to
achieve public goals, ultimately seeking to produce a return on
the private investment while working with elected officials of
both parties.
As a resident of the Philadelphia area who has spent many
years working on Wall Street and for Pennsylvania State
Government, I have been a frequent Amtrak passenger for many
decades. However, I have also spent considerable time working
in other parts of the country where passenger rail service was
negligible and cars and sometimes planes were the only option
for intercity travel.
I appreciate what Amtrak service does for the Northeast,
but also what it could do in other regions of the country if it
received adequate, assured, multi-year funding that would allow
it to make major investments. The large increase in funding
that last year's Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will
provide for Amtrak over the next 5 years is an important first
step in that direction.
From my experience in infrastructure finance and in the
administration of public funds and projects, I am aware that a
large infusion of funding creates accounting, financial, and
project management challenges for any organization.
It is important that Amtrak's Board include members with
experience in these areas who can advise, oversee, and support
the efforts of Amtrak's management to address the welcomed
challenge of receiving money to begin pursuing long sought
goals while ensuring financial accountability, transparency,
and optimal use of public funding. I can provide that
expertise. The coming years will be an exciting time for
Amtrak.
If confirmed, I welcome the opportunity to serve on its
Board at a particularly relevant time for someone with my
experience and background, and I will be happy to answer any
questions you may have.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Ms.
Weissman follow:]
Prepared Statement of Robin L. Wiessmann, Nominee to be a Director,
Amtrak Board of Directors
Good morning, Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker, and other
members of the Commerce Committee. My name is Robin Wiessmann, and I am
very pleased to be with you today to explain why I hope to serve on
Amtrak's Board of Directors, and what contributions I can make.
My background as a lawyer by training over many years in finance
and infrastructure investment is not unusual for a prospective board
member. However, while I have considerable board experience, what makes
me particularly well suited for the Amtrak Board is my unique
background and experience in both the private and public sectors. I
view myself as a purpose-driven professional who is dedicated to public
service.
I was a founding principal and president of the first women-owned
investment banking firm on Wall Street, served as chairman of the board
of a mutual fund, and held positions at major investment and securities
firms. I have also served as State Treasurer of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, where I was custodian of $120 billion in public assets,
and as Pennsylvania's Secretary of Banking and Securities.
Additionally, I have held appointive positions on numerous Federal and
state boards responsible for financial oversight, securities regulation
and economic development.
I currently serve as Executive Director and CEO of the Pennsylvania
Housing Finance Agency, where I manage operations and direct
initiatives that promote development of affordable housing and provide
financing for homeownership. In that position and many of the other
public sector roles over the years, I have used my extensive experience
in bringing together public and private entities on projects intended
to achieve public goals, ultimately seeking to produce a return on the
private investment, while working with elected officials of both
parties.
As a resident of the Philadelphia area who spent many years working
on Wall Street and for Pennsylvania's state government, I have been a
frequent Amtrak passenger for many decades. However, I have also spent
a lot of time working in other parts of the country where passenger
rail service was negligible and cars and sometimes planes were the only
option for intercity travel. I appreciate what Amtrak service does for
the Northeast, and what it could do in other regions of the country if
it received adequate, assured multi-year funding that would allow it to
make major investments.
The large increase in funding that last year's Infrastructure
Investment and Jobs Act will provide for Amtrak over the next five
years is an important first step in that direction. From my experience
in infrastructure finance and in the administration of public funds and
projects, I am aware that a large infusion of funding creates
accounting, financial and project management challenges for any
organization. It is important that Amtrak's Board include members with
experience in these areas who can advise, oversee and support the
efforts of Amtrak's management to address the welcome challenge of
receiving money to begin pursuing long sought goals while ensuring
financial accountability, transparency and optimal use of public
funding. I can provide that expertise.
The coming years will be an exciting time for Amtrak. If confirmed,
I welcome the opportunity to serve on its Board at a particularly
relevant time for someone with my experience and background. I will be
happy to answer any questions you may have.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Robin Lee Wiessmann.
Former Name: Robin Wiessmann Dougherty (1978-1985; previous
marriage)
2. Position to which nominated: Director, Amtrak Board of
Directors,
3. Date of Nomination: April 29, 2022.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
211 North 2nd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101 (Work)
5. Date and Place of Birth: March 14, 1953; Glen Ridge, NJ.
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).
Husband: Kenneth Malerman Jarin, Esquire; Partner at Ballard
Spahr, LLP
Son: Alexander Wiessmann Jarin, 30 years old
Daughter: Karley Wiessmann Jarin, 27 years old
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
BA, Lafayette College, 1975
JD, Rutgers School of Law-Camden, 1978
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.
1975--US Environmental Protection Agency--NPDES Division--
June--August--Intern
1975-1977--US Environmental Protection Agency, District 3
Philadelphia, PA; Legal Intern (Part-time)
1977-1978--White & Williams Law Firm, Philadelphia, PA; Legal
Intern (Part-time)
1978-1980--Philadelphia National Bank, Philadelphia, PA;
Management Trainee/Associate, Real Estate and Construction
Lending
1980-1983--City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA; Deputy
Revenue Secretary, Deputy Director of Finance, & Deputy
Managing Director; Management of City's Debt Issuance; Designee
on various Boards and Commissions.
1984-1990--Goldman Sachs & Company, New York, New York;
Associate & Vice-President, Municipal Finance; National and
regional capital markets transactions.
1990-1999--Artemis Capital Group, New York, New York; Founding
Principal and President; Investment Banking; First women owned
broker dealer on Wall Street.
1999-2001--Dain Rauscher, Inc., New York, New York; Managing
Director; National banking practice (acquired Artemis Capital
Group).
2002-2006--Brown/Wiessmann Group (Self Employed), Bucks County,
PA; Principal; Advisory Consulting
2006-2007--Merrill Lynch Capital Markets Division, New York,
New York; Managing Director, municipal markets.
2007-2009--Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA; State
Treasurer; Appointed to fill remainder of Us Senator Bob
Casey's term.
2009-2014--Self Employed; Variety of Board positions, such as:
Met-Pro Corporation, Vantagepoint Funds Mutual Funds (Chair),
Lumesis, Enertech, and the Municipal Securities Rulemaking
Board.
2015-2020--Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA;
Secretary of Banking & Securities.
2020 to present--Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency,
Harrisburg, PA; CEO and Executive Director.
9. Attach a copy of your resume.
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 ten 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 ten years.
Met-Pro Corporation Board Member (2009-2013)
Vantagepoint Funds Board Member & Board Chair ( 2003-2013)
Lumesis Board Member ( 2012-early 2015)
The Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board (MSRB)- a self-
regulatory board under the SEC (2012-2015)
As reflected on my resume, various boards, ex officio, as
part of my work duties.
Gubernatorial designee on the PHEAA (PA Higher Education
Assistance Authority) Board (2016-2021)
Bucks County Council of the Boy Scouts of America (2013-
early 2015)
Duke University School of Public Policy Board of Visitors
(2013-2019)
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). 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 disability.
Great Harbor Yacht Club--Current Member; Treasurer (2011-
2015)
Duke University Sanford School of Public Policy--Board of
Visitors (2012-2019)
Boy Scouts of America--Bucks County Council Board Member
(2013-2015
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.
Though never a candidate for public office, I was appointed by
Governor Edward G. Rendell, and confirmed by the PA State Senate, to
serve as the Pennsylvania State Treasurer from April 2007 through
January 2009.
14. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.
N/A.
15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past ten years.
After a review of my records, and public records, to the best of my
knowledge, I have made the contributions which follow.
2015, Hillary for America: $2700
2016, Katie McGinty for Senate: $1000
2017, Casey for Senate: $1,000
2018, Scanlon for Congress: $1,700
2018, Scanlon for Congress: $1,000
2018, Gina M Raimondo: $1,000