    [Senate Hearing 119-356]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                            S. Hrg. 119-356

                       NOMINATIONS TO THE UNITED STATES
                         DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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

                                    HEARING

                                   before the

                             COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
                          SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
                              UNITED STATES SENATE

                        ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                   __________

                                 JULY 23, 2025

                                   __________

        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

    63-393 PDF                WASHINGTON : 2026

           SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

                        ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                           TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman
    JOHN THUNE, South Dakota             MARIA CANTWELL, Washington,
    ROGER WICKER, Mississippi                Ranking
    DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
    JERRY MORAN, Kansas                  BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
    DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska                 EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts
    MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee          GARY PETERS, Michigan
    TODD YOUNG, Indiana                  TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
    TED BUDD, North Carolina             TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
    ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri               JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
    JOHN CURTIS, Utah                    BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico
    BERNIE MORENO, Ohio                  JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado
    TIM SHEEHY, Montana                  JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania
    SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia  ANDY KIM, New Jersey
    CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming              LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware

                     Brad Grantz, Republican Staff Director
               Nicole Christus, Republican Deputy Staff Director
                       Lila Harper Helms, Staff Director
                     Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------
                                                                       Page
    Hearing held on July 23, 2025....................................     1
    Statement of Senator Cruz........................................     1
    Statement of Senator Cantwell....................................     2
    Statement of Senator Curtis......................................   142
    Statement of Senator Schatz......................................   143
    Statement of Senator Lujan.......................................   145
    Statement of Senator Moreno......................................   148
    Statement of Senator Kim.........................................   150

                                   Witnesses

    Seval Oz, Nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Transportation for
      Research and Technology, United States Department of
      Transportation.................................................     4
        Prepared statement...........................................     5
        Biographical information.....................................     7
    Michael Albert Rutherford, Nominee to be Assistant Secretary,
      Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, United
      States Department of Transportation............................    51
        Prepared statement...........................................    53
        Biographical information.....................................    54
    Gregory Zerzan, Nominee to be General Counsel, United States
      Department of Transportation...................................   129
        Prepared statement...........................................   130
        Biographical information.....................................   130

                                    Appendix

    Response to written questions submitted to Seval Oz by:
        Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................   155
        Hon. Bernie Moreno...........................................   156
        Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................   157
        Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   158
        Hon. Ben Ray Lujan...........................................   158
        Hon. John Hickenlooper.......................................   159
    Response to written questions submitted to Michael Rutherford by:
        Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................   159
        Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................   160
        Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   160
        Hon. Tammy Duckworth.........................................   161
        Hon. Ben Ray Lujan...........................................   161
        Hon. John Hickenlooper.......................................   161
        Hon. John Fetterman..........................................   162
    Response to written questions submitted to Gregory Zerzan by:
        Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................   162
        Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   165
        Hon. Tammy Duckworth.........................................   166
        Hon. Ben Ray Lujan...........................................   166
        Hon. John Hickenlooper.......................................   167

                       NOMINATIONS TO THE UNITED STATES
                         DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

                                  ----------

                            WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025

                                           U.S. Senate,
            Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
                                                        Washington, DC.
        The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:04 a.m., in
    room SR-253, Senate Russell Office Building, Hon. Ted Cruz,
    Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
        Present: Senators Cruz [presiding], Curtis, Moreno,
    Cantwell, Schatz, Lujan, and Kim.

                  OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS

        The Chairman. Good morning. The Senate Committee on
    Commerce, Science, and Transportation will come to order.
        Today, we will be considering three of President Trump's
    nominees for key roles of the Department of Transportation.
    Seval Oz, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Transportation for
    Research and Technology; Michael Rutherford, nominee for
    Assistant Secretary of Transportation, for the Office of
    Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy; and Gregory
    Zerzan, nominee for General Counsel of DOT.
        Transportation is and will remain the backbone of global
    economies. We are entering a new era defined by autonomous
    vehicles, smart infrastructure, and AI-driven logistics. These
    advancements are happening around the world and in some cases
    elsewhere because the Federal Government has been so hostile to
    innovation.
        President Trump and Secretary Duffy are faced with a huge
    undertaking, having to fix the mistakes of the last four years
    by modernizing regulations and enhancing safety standards. To
    succeed, they need advisers who understand the promise and the
    complexity of what lies ahead. Today's nominees fit the bill.
        Ms. Oz is a pioneer in transportation technology. At
    Google, she helped develop autonomous vehicles. In Nevada, she
    brought the private sector and government together to license
    the state's first self-driving car. And as Assistant Secretary
    of Transportation for Research and Technology, a newly created
    role, she will help align DOT's research efforts for the next
    generation of transportation.
        Mr. Rutherford's experience with nearly every freight mode
    will serve him well as Assistant Secretary of Transportation
    for the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy.
    At CSX, a major freight railroad, Mr. Rutherford led a 140-
    person team. He recognizes that optimized supply chains keep
    cost down for consumers. If confirmed, he will work alongside
    Secretary Duffy, state and local governments, and the private
    sector to eliminate bottlenecks and secure freight networks.
        Finally, Mr. Zerzan brings valuable managerial experience
    from his time in both the Legislative and Executive branches.
    As the current acting solicitor for the Department of the
    Interior, he oversees a large team of political appointees and
    career civil servants. He will do the same at DOT, providing
    impartial strategic counsel to improve our skies, roadways, and
    waterways.
        These nominees are ready to help transform the American
    transportation system through responsible innovation, lean
    regulation, and a renewed focus on safety. I look forward to
    hearing from them today.
        With that, I will turn to Ranking Member Cantwell for her
    opening remarks.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON

        Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And welcome to
    the nominees, congratulations on that nomination.
        We are here today to consider, as the Chairman said, Mr.
    Zerzan to be General Counsel at Department of Transportation;
    Mr. Rutherford to be Assistant Secretary for the Office of
    Multi-Freight Infrastructure and Policy; and Ms. Oz to be
    Assistant Secretary for the Office of Research and Technology.
        These three positions are critical to the core mission of
    the Department in improving safety and investing in our
    Nation's infrastructure. The Department's leaders must be
    committed to upholding--to holding the transportation sector it
    regulates to protect safety and consumer standards.
        Mr. Zerzan, the General Counsel plays a critical role in
    everything the Department does, determining which safety
    requirements are approved or eliminated, signing off on grant
    agreements, allowing cities and states to begin building
    projects. I have recently expressed my concern about the now
    Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury, who as General Counsel during
    the first Trump administration, orchestrated a number of
    rollbacks on important safety issues. And I hope to ask you
    questions about that and look for a different approach.
        I am alarmed that the Department's recent formalization of
    a new process that would authorize you, if you were confirmed,
    to take actions against safety inspectors if a company claims
    the inspector violated DOT's enforcement procedures, especially
    allowing regulated entities to regulate the very officials
    charged with keeping public safety.
        We found in the ODA process at Boeing, and this became a
    very big issue where the ODA, individuals responsible for
    approving the process, were retaliated against, and thereby
    hold their punches and a lot of it, the rest of it is history.
    So we need--we need a strong safety regime.
        Maintaining the strongest safety process does not just save
    lives, it spurs economic growth, enables the U.S. to stay
    competitive and certainly is essential for selling U.S.
    airplanes abroad. Now, we continue to see a huge opportunity in
    which we want aviation to win as there is a world demand for
    40,000 planes.
        At the same time we have to address other sectors of
    transportation. Last week we saw reports indicating the loss of
    more than 20 percent of the Federal Highway Administration's
    workforce, and 30 percent of the Federal Transit
    Administration's workforce. So clearly this is impacting our
    ability to move quickly in improving projects and getting them
    implemented. So I love to ask you about that and how you expect
    to turn that around so that DOT can continue to move forward.
        Mr. Rutherford, I created the Freight Office to improve
    multimodal freight planning, that sounds like a generous staff
    right there, I am not sure if I created it, maybe I had
    legislation, and we all approved it or something like that.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Cantwell. But let us not get Al Gore-ish here.
        The Chairman. We are happy to give credit to the former
    Chair.
        Senator Cantwell. OK. Well, to be clear, our state had a
    freight office, why, because if you moved freight in the state
    of Washington you got a percentage of the gas tax, because
    moving freight was part of economic development. So why not
    prioritize transportation investment that moved economic
    development?
        So yes, we did say let us create a Federal Freight Policy
    which, Ray LaHood, and others, and we all did. So OK, great, so
    now we know.
        Freight cannot wait. We had yesterday's hearing on the
    Surface Transportation Act, similar issue where we are saying
    if we are not competitive as a nation in moving freight
    quickly, then we are going to lose, and in our case, to British
    Columbia, or somewhere else, and then the competitive--of the
    United States is impacted. So definitely want to continue to
    make sure that freight investments are prioritized, and we
    talked about that yesterday, as we prepare for a Surface
    Transportation Act.
        Ms. Oz, the DOT's research programs are vital for using
    technology to improve both safety and efficiency, and it is
    important to recognize that the industry--that we continue to
    work together to on the development of these issues and get
    them implemented. One thing that we are really concerned about
    now is the interference on--spectrum interference and radio
    altimeters.
        When we look at what happened in the DCA air crash, there
    was a lot of discussion even about how the altimeters of those
    helicopters might have been affected giving them different
    altitudes. And as the--for the previous implementation and
    discussion between DOT and NTIA, a lot of confusion over how to
    have the airline industry safely transmitting and the
    interference that might occur with 5- and 6-G. So look forward
    to asking questions about that.
        Clearly, we have a lot to do to continue to improve
    transportation. I am excited about the opportunities, excited
    about the continuation of drone technology which we have
    championed here in the Committee for many years, and the
    applications are so numerous and continuing to pay dividends.
    So obviously DOT has a very big role here to continue the roll
    out of that drone technology, and so look forward to asking
    about that.
        Thank you Mr. Chairman.
        The Chairman. Thank you. I now recognize Ms. Oz for her
    opening statement.

                  STATEMENT OF SEVAL OZ, NOMINEE TO BE

                 ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION

       FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
                             TRANSPORTATION

        Ms. Oz. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and
    distinguished Members of the Committee, thank you for the
    privilege to appear before you today. I am deeply honored, and
    to be candid, profoundly aware of the magnitude and urgency of
    the task ahead. The challenges are formidable, but the chance
    to shape the future of transportation and American innovation
    is even more compelling.
        I would like to acknowledge President Trump's unwavering
    commitment to ensuring that the U.S. Department of
    Transportation showcases the very best of American innovation
    and technology leadership. I wish to thank Secretary Sean Duffy
    for his confidence in my leadership and entrusting me with the
    responsibility of delivering the safest, most efficient, and
    forward-looking transportation systems.
        I am grateful to my family and friends for their love and
    support throughout my journey. My daughter, a proud John
    Hopkins graduate, is currently performing opera overseas, and
    while she could not be here today, I am blessed to be joined by
    my friends and colleagues.
        I begin with a simple but bold premise, I believe in the
    mission of saving lives. Every year, nearly 40,000 people lose
    their lives in traffic collisions. That is approximately 100
    lives every single day. Yet, 90 percent of these deaths could
    be avoided with self-driving cars. We have the technology to
    save thousands of American lives. So why are not we doing so?
    For every year we wait, more lives are lost. It is not just a
    matter of innovation, it is a moral imperative.
        I look forward to working with you on a national framework
    to advance our transportation technologies, many of which were
    made in America and hold the promise to prevent countless
    fatalities. The thought of restricting mobility is also deeply
    unsettling for me. Movement is as natural to me as breathing.
    When we lose our ability to move safely, our world shrinks. Our
    health, both mental and physical, suffers. We become isolated.
    We have all experienced the awkward moment of taking the keys
    away from our aging parents, or lying awake at night anxiously
    waiting for our teenagers to return home safely.
        The promise of a new generation of transportation will be
    about building better drivers, ones who do not get distracted,
    never drive under the influence, possess superior perception,
    and react in an instant. My role would be to set clear vision
    for how evidence-based research and innovation drive
    transportation policy and infrastructure toward practical,
    achievable solutions that advance public safety and serve the
    American people.
        I was born to immigrant parents who deeply value the
    opportunities this country offered. I learned the importance of
    having a meaningful plan fueled by determination, hard work,
    and commitment. These values became the cornerstone of my
    career, guiding me as I built high performance teams in the
    dynamic fast-pace world of global technology.
        That journey led me to leadership roles with Silicon
    Valley's most innovative companies. I joined Google X because
    they shared my vision of merging advanced automotive hardware
    with intelligent software to solve real world challenges, human
    challenges. My experience in global partnerships proved
    invaluable as I negotiated complex multi-party agreements that
    brought together traditionally competitive, and yes, even
    adversarial stakeholders.
        By strategically leveraging urgency and a well-placed fear
    of missing out, I aligned diverse interests and secure critical
    cooperation. In just 18 months, we accomplished what many
    thought impossible, delivering the first self-driving vehicle.
    I earned the trust and support of key stakeholders across the
    state and local governments, town halls, law enforcement, and
    emergency services. I am most proud of leading this
    extraordinary collaboration, resulting in an autopilot platform
    with an exceptional safety record.
        Building on that success, I transitioned to a global
    automotive supplier with over 200,000 employees where I faced
    new challenges, driving digital transformation within a legacy
    industry. Looking ahead, I have been advising top AI and data
    science teams to assess transformative technology frontiers.
    Together, we can establish U.S. transportation as the gold
    standard by developing AI models built on the American
    automation stack. I am eager to mobilize my office's full
    resources to enhance safety, efficiency, and innovation across
    all modes of our Nation's advanced transportation network.
        I have been--in closing, I have been in the lion's den of
    the $4 trillion automotive engine projecting to grow to $7
    trillion over the next decade. The Department of Transportation
    is our national pride for demonstrating U.S. leadership and
    driving the economic engine of our Nation.
        This moment is not years away. It is now. I shared parts of
    my journey with you today to underscore that everything I have
    done academically and professionally has prepared me for this
    precise moment. We stand at the threshold of a generational
    opportunity that will define the future, not only of
    transportation, but of American economic growth, innovation,
    and global influence. Success will require competent and
    skilled leadership to earn the public's trust.
        I respectfully ask for the support of the Senate Committee
    on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in achieving these
    vital goals.
        I look forward to answering your questions today.
        [The prepared statement and biographical statement of Ms.
    Oz follow:]

     Prepared Statement of Seval Oz, Nominee to be Assistant Secretary for
                  Research, U.S. Department of Transportation
        Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and distinguished Members
    of the Committee, thank you for the privilege to appear before you
    today. I am deeply honored, and to be candid, profoundly aware of the
    magnitude and urgency of the task ahead. The challenges are formidable,
    but the chance to shape the future of transportation and American
    innovation is even more compelling.
        I would like to acknowledge President Trump's unwavering commitment
    to ensuring that the U.S. Department of Transportation showcases the
    very best of American innovation and technology leadership.
        I wish to thank Secretary Sean Duffy for his confidence in my
    leadership and entrusting me with the responsibility of delivering the
    safest, most efficient, and forward-looking transportation systems.
        I am grateful to my family and friends for their love and support
    throughout my journey. My daughter--a proud Johns Hopkins
    undergraduate--is currently performing opera overseas. While she
    couldn't be here today, I'm blessed to be joined by dear friends.
        I begin with a simple but bold premise: I believe in the mission of
    saving lives.
        Every year, nearly 40,000 people lose their lives in traffic
    collisions--that's approximately 100 lives every single day. Yet, 90
    percent of these deaths could be avoided with self-driving cars. We
    have the technology to save 10s of thousands of American lives--why
    aren't we doing so? For every year we wait, more lives are lost. It's
    not just a matter of innovation--it's a moral imperative.
        I look forward to working with you on a national framework to
    advance our transportation technologies--many of which were Made-in-
    America and hold the promise to prevent countless fatalities.
        The thought of restricting mobility is also deeply unsettling for
    me. Movement is as natural to me as breathing. When we lose our ability
    to move safely, our world shrinks. Our health, both mental and
    physical, suffers. We become isolated. We have all experienced the
    awkward moment of taking the car keys away from our aging parents, or
    lying awake at night, anxiously waiting for our teenagers to return
    home safely. The promise of the new generation of transportation will
    be about building better drivers--ones who don't get distracted, never
    drive under the influence, possess superior perception, and react in an
    instant.
        My role would be to set clear vision for how evidence-based
    research and innovation drive transportation policy and infrastructure
    towards practical, achievable solutions that advance public safety and
    serve the American people.
        I was born to immigrant parents who deeply valued the opportunities
    this country offered. I learned early the importance of having a
    meaningful plan, fueled by determination, hard work, and commitment.
    These values became the cornerstone of my career, guiding me as I built
    high-performance teams in the dynamic, fast-paced world of global
    technology. That journey led me to leadership roles with Silicon
    Valley's most innovative companies.
        I joined Google[X] because they shared my vision of merging
    advanced automotive hardware with intelligent software to solve real-
    world human challenges. My experience in global partnerships proved
    invaluable as I negotiated complex, multi-party agreements that brought
    together traditionally competitive, even adversarial stakeholders. By
    strategically leveraged urgency--and a well-placed ``fear of missing
    out''--I aligned diverse interests and secured critical cooperation. In
    just 18 months, we accomplished what many thought impossible:
    delivering the first self-driving vehicle.
        I earned the trust and support of key stakeholders across state and
    local governments, town halls, law enforcement, and emergency services.
    I'm most proud of leading this extraordinary collaboration resulting in
    an auto-pilot platform with an exceptional safety record. Building on
    that success, I transitioned to a global automotive supplier with over
    200,000 employees, where I faced new challenges: driving digital
    transformation within a legacy industry.
        Looking ahead, I have been advising top AI and data science teams
    to assess transformative technology frontiers. Together, we can
    establish U.S. transportation as the global gold standard by developing
    AI models built on the American automation stack. I am eager to
    mobilize my office's full resources to enhance safety, efficiency and
    innovation across all modes of our Nation's advanced transportation
    network.
        I have been in the lion's den of this $4 trillion global automotive
    engine--projected to grow to $7 trillion over the next decade. The
    Department of Transportation is our national pride for demonstrating
    U.S. leadership in driving the economic engine of our Nation. This
    moment is not years away-it is now.
        I shared parts of my journey with you to underscore that everything
    I've done--academically and professionally--has prepared me for this
    precise moment. We stand at the threshold of a generational opportunity
    that will define the future not only of transportation, but of American
    economic growth, innovation, and global influence.
        Success will require competent and skilled leadership to earn the
    public's trust. I respectfully ask for the support of the Senate
    Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in achieving these
    vital goals.
        I look forward to answering your important questions.
                                     ______

                          a. biographical information
        1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Born: Seval
    Oz.
        Also use Seval Ozveren (married last name)
        2. Position to which nominated: Assistant Secretary for Research
    and Technology, DOT.
        3. Date of Nomination: March 10, 2025.
        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: Atlanta, Georgia.
        6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
    spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your
    children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
        Spouse: Not applicable. Daughter: Ruya, 21
        7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not
    you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the
    institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of
    the degree.

            Wharton School of Business, 1983-1985, MBA (Finance and
            Marketing), 1985

            Wellesley College, 1979-1983, BA in Economics and Political
            Science, 1983

            MIT Joint Program with Wellesley College, 1979-1983

        8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,
    name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all
    management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
    the position for which you are nominated. (All management-level jobs
    are indicated by an *)

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Consultant (Vice         Ceramic.ai               2025-present
     President, Finance and  Mountain View, CA
     Business Development)

    Advising AI startup founded by former Google-AI leadership and
     scientists.
    Developed the strategic plan focusing on Enterprise AI opportunities.
    Established commercial relationships and scaled for market impact.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Advisor                  Moove.ai                 2020-present
                             Lafayette, CO
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Independent Consultant   San Jose, CA             2016-present
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Founding Partner*        Archimede Ventures       2024-2024
                             San Jose, CA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Board Member*            Microvision              2021-2023
                             Redmond, WA

    Gained executive experience while advising C-suite leadership and the
     Board of public company on business strategy focusing on automotive
     LIDAR and design of high-speed safety features for Original Equipment
     Manufacturers (OEMs).
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Advisor                  Pioneer Corporation      2019-2021
                             San Jose, CA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CEO*                     Aurima, Inc.             2017-2019
                             Mountain View, CA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CEO and Senior Vice      Continental ITS          2014-2017
     President*              Santa Clara, CA

    Continental ITS provided me with extensive executive management
     experience with a full range of personnel management (responsible for a
     global team of approximately 200 people), organizational excellence,
     operational efficiency, quality assurance, financial, and fiduciary
     responsibilities.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Senior Business          Google[X]                2011-2014
     Development Lead*       Mountain View, CA

    Google and Google[X] provided me with extensive industry intelligence,
     business acumen, and relationship management responsibilities for
     collaboration of cross-functional internal and external teams of
     engineers, scientists, and system developers.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Vice President, Finance  Cuil, Inc.               2007-2011
     and                     Menlo Park, CA
    Business Development*
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Cuil afforded me the opportunity to work with top Silicon Valley
     engineering teams in a start-up setting. I gained experience in problem
     solving and prioritization in a fast-paced technology development
     environment while managing cross-functional teams.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Career Break                                      2003-2007
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Vice President,          Urban Media              2000-2003
     Finance*                 Communications
                             Palo Alto, CA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Vice President, Finance  Versata, Inc.            1999-2000
     and Strategy*           Oakland, CA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Advisor, VP Engineering  Berkeley Networks, Inc.  1998-1999
                             Milpitas, CA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Formulated acquisition versus IPO financial models based upon optimal
     valuation scenarios leading to management's decision for a stock swap
     alliance with FORE, and subsequently GEC's $4.2 billion acquisition of
     FORE Systems.
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Executive Advisor        Berkeley Networks, Inc.  1998-1999
                             Milpitas, CA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Principal*               Global Emerging Markets  1995-1998
                             Advisors, New York, NY
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Director, Institutional  Merrill Lynch & Co.      1992-1995
     Sales*                  New York, NY
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Vice President, Equity   Salomon, Inc.            1986-1992
     Trading*                New York, NY
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Teaching Assistant*      Wharton School           1984-1985
                             Philadelphia, PA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Business Editor*         Wharton Journal          1984-1985
                             Philadelphia, PA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Intern                   Booz Allen and Hamilton  1985
                             New York, NY
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Intern                   American Cyanamid Co.    1984
                             Wayne, NJ
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Documentary Reporter     WGBH                     1983
                             Boston, MA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    MIT News Study Group,    MIT                      1982
    National TV Guide        Boston, MA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Intern for Senator       U.S. Senate              1981
     William V. Roth, Jr.'s  Washington, DC
     Office
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Intern                   United Nations           1980
                              Association
                             Boston, MA
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

        9. Attach a copy of your resume. 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 after 18 years of age.
        In 1981, I interned with Senator William V. Roth, Jr, U.S.
    Senator--DE, as a Foreign Affairs Assistant. I attended Senate Foreign
    Relations Committee hearings, reported research findings, and prepared
    material on a wide variety of topics debated in Congressional Hearings,
    including OPIC, Iraqi nuclear facilities, and international terrorism.
        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.

            Ceramic.ai, Consultant (VP Finance and Business Development)

            Moove.ai, Advisor

            Archimede Ventures, Founding Partner

            Microvision, Inc., Board Member

            Pioneer, Inc., Advisor (remote)

            Aurima, Inc., Chief Executive Officer

            Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems, LLC, Chief
            Executive Officer and Executive Vice President

            Google [X], Senior Business Development and Global Partnerships
            Lead

            Cuil, Inc. VP of Business Development and Finance

            Urban Media Communications, Inc., VP of Finance and Strategy

            Versata, Inc., VP of Finance and Strategy

            Berkeley Networks, Consultant to VP of Engineering

            Global Emerging Markets Advisors, L.P., Principal

            Merrill Lynch & Co, Director of Emerging Market Equities

            Salomon, Inc., VP of Equities

            U.S. State Department Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
            Program, Delegate

            HealthCorps Foundation, Board of Advisors

            Family Grandchildren Trust, Co-Trustee

        12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or
    currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,
    political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously
    affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization
    (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.

            Zeta Alpha Society, President 1982-1983, Member since 1981

            Wellesley College Alumni Association, Member since 1983

            Women in Automotive Technology, Member since 2014

            UPenn Alumni Association, Member since 1986

            Endeavor Global Leadership Organization, Global Panel Selection
            Committee, International Panelist, 2010

            San Francisco Opera, Patron since 2024

            NASD registrations: Series 7,63 and 24 (1986-1995)

            The Courtside Club, Los Gatos, CA, Member, 2000-2011

            New York Public Library, Luncheon Committee Member since 2012

            Connected Car Council (C3 Group), Council Member since 2014
            (Acquired by Informa 2018

            Wharton School of Business--Wharton Interactive Media
            Department, Guest Lecturer and Panelist, 2010

            Indian Institutes of Management (IIM), Menlo Park, CA, Steering
            Committee Member and Guest Lecturer, 2009

        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.
        Not applicable.
        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.

            Soroptimist International, Earthquake Volunteer Recognition
            Award, Adana, Turkey, 2024

            The Most Influential Turkish-American Women Award, New York,
            NY, 2016

            Automotive News 100 Leading Women Award, Detroit, MI, 2015--
            https://www.autonews.com/awards/2015-leading-women-seval-oz-
            continental-intelligent-transportation-systems-continental-ag/

            Northeastern University, Women Who Inspire Speakers Series
            Award, Boston, MA, 2015

            PWI Women in Technology Courage Award, San Francisco, CA, 2013

            Google Bonus Award (5 consecutive awards) for the Creation and
            Production of the short film demonstrating self-driving car,
            Mountain View, CA, 2012

            Google Bonus Award for Developing a Long-term Strategic Plan
            for the Google[X] Self-Driving Car Project, Mountain View, CA,
            2012

            Barnette Miller Prize in Political Science, Wellesley College
            for Best Work in the Field of International Relations and
            Comparative Government, Wellesley, MA, 1981

            BA, Political Science and Economics, Cum Laude, Wellesley
            College, 1983

        17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,
    Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,
    individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    publication when available.

            Seval Oz, Clever Vehicles: The way we go online in our cars
            makes no sense, MIT Technology Review (February 18, 2015)

            Seval Oz, Short film demonstrating Self-Driving Car for Google
            Inc., YouTube (2012)

            Seval Oz, Global Equity and Derivative Trading: An Internal
            Trading Manual for Salomon Inc.'s Equity Desk, 1990

        18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,
    PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for
    which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    speech or presentation when available.

            Featured Speaker, Rally International 2023, sponsored by
            Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indianapolis, IN,
            2023

            Keynote Speaker, The Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium
            (AVCC), sponsored by AVCC, Cambridge, United Kingdom, September
            2023. (PowerPoint)

            Speaker, Roundtable on Autonomous Driving--Key Challenges with
            Seval Oz, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong,
            August 2021.

            Panel Speaker, Roundtable on Autonomous Driving, sponsored by
            Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong, Hong Kong, August 2021.

            Guest Speaker, Turkish Win Sponsored Corporate Event, sponsored
            by Turkish WIN, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2020.

            Keynote Speaker, ITU Technology Summit and Award Ceremony ITU
            Presentation and Lunch, sponsored by Istanbul Technical
            University (ITU), Istanbul, Turkey, February 2020.

            Discussion Panelist, Research Facility Visit, sponsored by GLG/
            Huawei, Shenzhen, China, January 2020.

            Panel Speaker, Tokyo Motor Show, Tech Consultations and
            Workshops, sponsored by BPEA, Tokyo, Japan, October 2019.

            Keynote Speaker, ADAS Expert Lunch Talk and Presentation,
            sponsored by NewStreet Research LLC, London, United Kingdom,
            August 2019.

            Keynote Speaker, Digital Age Summit Keynote Speaker, sponsored
            by Capital Media Services, Istanbul, Turkey, April 2019.

            Keynote Speaker, Ari Teknokent Workshop Lecturer, sponsored by
            ITU (Istanbul Technical University), Istanbul, Turkey, April
            2019.

            Keynote Speaker, GLG-APAC Tour ``Pushing Autonomous Vehicles to
            The Finish Line With Seval Oz'', sponsored by GLG, Seoul, South
            Korea, March 2019.

            Keynote Speaker, Roundtable Lunch--Speakers Series, sponsored
            by Gerson Lehrman Group, Hong Kong, March 2019.

            Guest Speaker, March 13--APAC Roadshow and Roundtable Lunch
            Keynote Speaker, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong
            Kong, March 2019.

            Keynote Speaker, International Women's Day Speech for GLG
            Consulting Services Keynote Luncheon Speaker on Tech, sponsored
            by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Sydney, Australia, March 2019.

            Keynote Speaker, Rotary Club Lunch, sponsored by Rotary Club,
            Istanbul, Turkey, January 2019.

            Speaker, AlphaSights/BCG Sponsored Neom Land Mobility Workshop,
            sponsored by AlphaSights/BCG, Barcelona, Spain, November 2018.

            Guest Speaker, Guest Lecture Ozyegin University, sponsored by
            Ozyegin University, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2018.

            Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: Who Will Win The Autonomous
            Vehicles Arms Race? Presentation On Autonomous Vehicle
            Overview, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), London,
            United Kingdom, July 2018.

            Keynote Speaker, Global Women In Technology, sponsored by
            Turkish WIN (London chapter), London, United Kingdom, July
            2018.

            Speaker, Roundtable: Beyond The Connected Car: Autonomous
            Vehicle Ecosystem, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG),
            Seoul, South Korea, May 2018.

            Keynote Speaker, BNP Paribas Conference, sponsored by GLG, Hong
            Kong, May 2018.

            Speaker, Roundtable Discussions Where I Presented On State of
            AV Technology, sponsored by GLG, Hong Kong, May 2018.

            Keynote Speaker, BNP Paribas Conference, sponsored by GLG,
            Singapore, Singapore, May 2018.

            Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: Beyond The Connected Car:
            Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group
            (GLG), Beijing, China, May 2018.

            Guest Speaker, Sell-Side Call: With Seval Oz On Robotaxis,
            sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), London, United
            Kingdom, February 2018.

            Keynote Speaker, Hurdles for Autonomous Driving Technology
            Roundtable: The Future of Automotive (Toronto), co-sponsored by
            Gerson Lehrman Group/AAA, Toronto, Canada, June 2017.

            Speaker/Moderator, South By Southwest (SXSW) Annual Conference,
            Austin, TX, March 2017.

            Guest Speaker, Roundtable: The Road to Autonomous Driving: New
            Technology Developments, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group
            (GLG), Hong Kong, February 2017.

            Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: The Road to Autonomous Driving:
            Technology Developments (Singapore), sponsored by Gerson
            Lehrman Group (GLG), Singapore, Singapore, January 2017.

            Panel Speaker, Autonomous Driving/AI Technology Roundtable,
            sponsored by GLG, Tokyo, Japan, January 2017.

            Opening Keynote Speaker, ITS America Annual Conference and
            Expo, San Jose, June 2016.

            Opening Keynote Speaker, ITS World Congress (22nd Annual), co-
            hosted by ERTICO and ITS Asia Pacific, Bordeaux, France,
            October 2015.

            Keynote Speaker, Frankfurt Motor Show, sponsored by Continental
            AG, Frankfurt, Germany, September 2015.

            Panel Speaker, Digital Web Summit Conference, sponsored by Web
            Summit Conference, Dublin, Ireland, November 2014.

            Panel Selectionist, Endeavor.Org Annual Global Meeting,
            sponsored by Endeavor.org, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2012.

            Keynote Speaker, Turkish Women's International Network--
            Microsoft Office, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2012.

            Keynote Speaker, Turkish Women's International Network (Global)
            UK Chapter, sponsored by Turkish chapter of WIN (Women In
            Networking), London, United Kingdom, July 2012.

            Delegate for Google, Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC)
            Conference, sponsored by U.S. State Department, Saint
            Petersburg, Russia, June 2012.

            Guest Speaker and Panelist, Mentorship, Social Media and
            Corporate Development in Silicon Valley, Indian Institutes of
            Management (IIM), 2009

        19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten
    years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and
    television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position
    for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to
    each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a
    digital copy of the statement when available.
        I have made many public statements during the past fifteen years on
    a wide range of topics, mostly addressed to autonomous vehicles and new
    technology matters not directly relevant to DOT or the position of
    Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.

            Press Release, September 2023 (https://avcc.org/
            avcc2023_keynotes/)

            Press Release, September 2023 (https://fox2now.com/business/
            press-releases/ein-presswire/656381965/arm-automotive-vp-suraj-
            gajendra-and-automated-vehicle-pioneer-seval-oz-to-deliver-
            keynotes-at-avcc2023/)

            Podcast (Autonomous Roadblocks), Double Take, by Newton
            Research, November 2022 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/
            autonomous-roadblocks/id14
            89131403?i=1000585324297)

            Webinar, The Future of Movement, What's Next, by Reddit, April,
            2021 (https://www.reddit.com/r/MVIS/comments/mv3hyj/
            seval_oz_april_5_2021/)

            Podcast (On the Move), Women in Automotive Technology, by
            Infoedge LLC, November 2020 (https://www.buzzsprout.com/
            1259042/episodes/6243379-seval
            -oz-senior-executive-advisor-at-pioneer-inc)

            Interview, Fashion & Travel Magazine, 2019 (https://
            fashiontravelmagazine
            .com/a-passion-for-technology-seval-oz/)

            Press Release, March 2021 (https://ir.microvision.com/news/
            press-releases/detail/327/seval-oz-joins-microvision-board-of-
            directorsdirector)

            TEDx Talk, ``Changing the Way We Drive,'' Napa Valley, CA, 2014
            (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0NKkO3ZLPw)

            Autonews Profile, 2015 (https://www.autonews.com/awards/2015-
            leading-
            women-seval-oz-continental-intelligent-transportation-systems-
            continental-ag/)

            The Future of Disruptive Technologies on Vehicles, Northeastern
            University, Boston, MA, 2015 (https://www.youtube.com/
            watch?v=p9GwS36I4lQ)

            ITS America Annual Conference, San Jose, CA, 2016 (https://
            youtube/YJFCTp
            MwliI?si=PN78NEES0L0zVXwV)

            PR Newswire Press Release, August 2014 (https://
            www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/continental-combines-key-
            strengths-in-silicon-valley-for-pioneering-work-on-networked-
            transportation-271668481.html)

            Podcast, Future of Publishing Conference, by Knowledge at
            Wharton, 2010 Podcast (Knowledge at Wharton), Cuil's Seval Oz
            Ozveren: Creating the Next Generation of Internet Search, 2010
            (https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/podcast/knowledge-at-
            wharton-podcast/cuils-seval-oz-ozveren-creating-the-next-
            generation-of-internet-search/)

        20. 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 full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',
    including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, 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: seval oz--https://www.linkedin.com/in/sevaloz/

            Facebook: Seval oz--https://www.facebook.com/sevaloz

            Instagram: sevalioz--https://www.instagram.com/sevalioz/

            X: @sosevaloz

            Personal website: www.sevaloz.com

        21. 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, committee, and subject
    matter of each testimony. None.
        22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
    operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation
    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 believe in the mission of saving peoples' lives. I also believe
    transportation should showcase the best of U.S. technology. In America,
    we have already developed and released critical technology systems--but
    they still haven't been made fully accessible to the American public.
    If confirmed, I will dedicate this Nation's resources to adopt and
    accelerate deployment readiness of automated technologies for increased
    safety of the U.S. transportation network.
        If confirmed, my mission as the Assistant Secretary for Research
    and Technology at the U.S. DOT will be to promote safety across all
    modes of transportation. My goal is to accelerate nationwide deployment
    of automated and safety devices to effectively end the preventable 94
    percent of 39,345 motor vehicle deaths and 2.8 million injuries per
    year in the United States. In parallel, the office will be dedicated to
    deploying the agency's advanced research resources to enable
    transportation to become more efficient, more accessible, more
    affordable--all within the term of this Administration.
        I led the automotive tech partnerships and business development
    teams on the foundational self-driving car platform at Google[X]. I
    drove collaboration between the software, mapping, hardware and route
    planning teams in building a robust automotive platform to release the
    first ever road worthy self-driving cars. I am proud to share that my
    team worked with Detroit based U.S. automotive OEMs to reduce the
    traditional 5-year new vehicle development cycle down to 18-24 months.
    Our software engineering teams in Silicon Valley and Detroit based
    hardware engineering teams, all dedicated to developing a near perfect
    track record of safety, were highly motivated to deliver autonomous
    vehicles on public roads. I worked with Nevada DMV and municipal law
    enforcement to draft the first fully autonomous vehicle licensing
    legislation. I worked closely with the State of California to enable
    automated vehicle testing which resulted in the passage of Senate Bill
    (SB1298).
        If I am fortunate to serve as the head of OST-R, I am confident
    that my team will inspire our finest scientists and graduate students
    with aligned and rewarded performance-based research tied to U.S. DOT's
    goals. I worked closely with the expert engineering software teams
    across the Nation some of who won the U.S. Government's DARPA and DARPA
    Grand Challenge million-dollar prize monies and transferred their
    talents into a multi-billion dollar new autonomous business. I will
    also be responsible for the continuous production of outcomes-oriented
    research from the OST-R program offices. High quality research data
    leads to relevant solutions, which informs robust, evidence-based
    policies. My firsthand knowledge of integrating ADAS (Advanced Driver
    Assistance System), perception software, and other highly technical
    end-to-end systems has given me the vantage to evaluate the different
    technical programs that may be presented to the Department.
        One of my primary responsibilities will be to leverage the U.S.
    DOT's research, development, and technology investments to implement
    rapid research-to-deployment cycles. I share the transportation
    industry's collective frustration at the slow pace of technology
    adaptation. The U.S. DOT's world-class resources, including HASS COE,
    Volpe, ITS Joint Program Office, and ARPA-I, will be utilized as the
    foundational assets to build and invest in our transportation future.
    Our interdisciplinary approach will be more aligned to solve for new
    fields of problems. I will use my experience to accelerate the adoption
    of safety and operational technologies into our Nation's transportation
    system. As AI becomes ubiquitous, transportation is positioned to
    become one of the first scaled customer-facing interfaces to the
    physical world. The U.S. DOT should be and will become the launchpad
    for new AI driven technology.
        23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
    ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper
    management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in
    managing a large organization?
        My responsibilities would be to position the U.S. transportation
    system to become the world's safest and most technologically advanced
    system through strategic investments to prepare us for the 22nd
    century. I plan to bring the full resources of the Department's
    extensive research centers to focus on our core mission while
    eliminating redundant research. My success at revolutionizing the rapid
    digital transformation of Continental AG, a 200,000-employee global
    Tier-1 automotive supplier's global business was attributed to
    onboarding tiger teams of hundreds of software engineers operating on
    short sprints with tight operating budgets to deliver our first
    products and services. This process taught me how to align and
    integrate heterogeneous workforces to revolutionize the pace of
    innovation. I was instrumental in transforming this hardware automotive
    giant into a leading transportation technology company-preparing them
    for the next wave of data driven mobility services.
        If confirmed, I will coordinate a consortium of self-driving and
    V2X engineers and other visionaries drawn from DoD, DOE, DOC and ARPA-
    I. I will first present the vision and lay out mission tasks for which
    the U.S. DOT requires consensus on standards of interoperability,
    inter-departmental data sharing, and regulation reconfiguration. This
    short list is by no means comprehensive but serves to illustrate the
    purpose of the task force objectives.
        My experience started in business development, partnerships that
    subsequently led to senior executive and finally board advisory roles.
    With my MBA from the Wharton School in Finance and Marketing, my prior
    work experience in investment banking, and later technology business
    development for hardware, software and AI companies, I am well versed
    in both management and marketing of innovative transportation
    technology.
        I am eager to get started and will work hard to ensure that my
    responsibilities translate into executing on policy guidelines set
    forth by Deputy Secretary Bradbury, Secretary Duffy, and President
    Trump. Transparency and effective communication across agencies is
    paramount to ensuring we bring to bear the full extent of our
    innovation research and grant programs to upgrade and modernize our
    infrastructure.
        24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
    department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?
        I am convinced that when people cannot move freely, their liberty
    is constrained, their connections to society erode, and they eventually
    stagnate. Safe, affordable, on-demand mobility should be a basic right
    for every citizen.
        As we reset our goals, there are three primary challenges we must
    confront head-on:

        First, coordinating a broad and complex ecosystem to deliver a
    future-forward mobility system requires the alignment of an
    exceptionally wide range of professionals, agencies, and organizations.
    This effort demands strong leadership, the ability to manage cross-
    sector collaboration, and the willingness to find consensus amid
    competing priorities. Achieving this at scale will test our management
    systems and our capacity to lead with clarity.
        Next, it is essential to communicate the OST-R mission across a
    diverse stakeholder landscape. To advance DOT's technology mission, we
    must effectively engage decision-makers from the Executive Branch,
    Congress, state governments, industry, and--most importantly--the
    American public. Gaining traction will require more than technical
    know-how; it will require credibility, clear and compelling
    storytelling, and trust-building with every stakeholder group. Respect
    for the ecosystem and precision in communication will be essential.
        Finally, it is essential to modernize the government for speed and
    impact. Like many agencies, OST-R is large and not inherently designed
    for rapid transformation. Some legacy programs may no longer serve
    today's needs, while emerging priorities--like creating safe, seamless
    intermodal systems--require immediate focus. We must be willing to
    reassess and right-size our efforts. I aim to bring an entrepreneurial
    mindset to foster alignment between engineers, regulators, and policy
    leaders so that we can meet urgent safety and efficiency goals.
                       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, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.
        I have a 401K plan that was part of my previous employment;
    however, there has been no employer contributions to the plan since
    2014.
        2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
    to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
    association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,
    please explain.
        I have several on-going consulting contracts. Any potential
    conflicts of interest involving these arrangements will be resolved
    consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement that I will enter
    into with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be
    provided to this Committee.
        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 Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation
    (DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts
    of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved
    consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I will enter into
    with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided
    to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of
    interest stemming from investments, obligations, liabilities or other
    continuing relationships.
        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.
        The entities with whom I have had business relationships over the
    last ten years, and beyond that time period, are described in my
    responses to Questions A.8 and A.11. This includes Ceramic.ai,
    Moove.ai, Archimede Ventures, Microvision, Pioneer Corporation, Aurima,
    Inc., Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Guidepoint Global Services, Coleman
    Research, ThirdBridge, AlphaSights, and Continental ITS. To the extent
    that these positions meet the reporting requirements for the OGE Form
    278e (Nominee Report), they have been included on my Nominee Report. In
    connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with the
    Office of Government Ethics and the DOT Designated Agency Ethics
    Official to identify potential conflicts of interest. Any potential
    conflicts of interest will be resolved consistent with the terms of an
    ethics agreement I will enter into with the DOT Designated Agency
    Ethics Official, which will be 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 Office of Government Ethics and the DOT Designated Agency Ethics
    Official to identify potential conflicts of interest. Any potential
    conflicts of interest will be resolved consistent with the terms of an
    ethics agreement I will enter into with the DOT Designated Agency
    Ethics Official, which will be 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, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary
    committee, or other professional group? If yes:

      a.  Provide the name of the court, 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, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for
    a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain.
        In February 2004, I had an incident at a local grocery store where
    I paid for my groceries; however, I overlooked an item in my cart.
    While I never left the store with the item, a security guard brought
    this to my attention and had to report the incident. The matter was
    discharged and dismissed.
        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.
        2021: Small claims court dispute for security deposit withheld from
    my tenant for property damages. A settlement was reached between the
    two parties, and I returned payment of $3751.60 to the tenant (on April
    23, 2022).
        2011: The lien was put on my property during the marriage
    dissolution by opposing counsel for my husband's unpaid bills which
    were held in jointly. The satisfaction of judgement and release of the
    lien document was made to the best of my knowledge.
        1995: During the nomination process, I have been made aware of a
    prior judgment from the NY State Dept. of Taxation and Finance from
    June 1995. On June 2, 2025, I was informed by the NY State Dept. of
    Taxation and Finance that my record is in good standing and that I have
    a zero balance.
        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
    assault, 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/commission/
    corporation complies with deadlines for information set by
    congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information
    from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in
    the minority?
        Yes, I will ensure to respond to such requests for information as
    appropriate.
        2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and
    whistleblowers 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, to the extent consistent with legal and customary
    requirements.
        4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
    constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
    reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
                                     ______

                               Resume of Seval Oz
                          www.linkedin.com/in/sevaloz
    PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
    Ceramic.ai, Mountain View, CA    2025-present
    Consultant (VP Finance and Business Development)
       Advising the Business Development and go-to-market strategy,
            including working closely with the leadership team to refine
            value propositions, identify key opportunities, and establish
            commercial relationships for scaling market impact.

    Moove.ai, Lafayette, CO    2020-present
    Advisor
       Advised management on business strategy and technical
            matters.

    Archimede Ventures, San Jose, CA    2024-2024
    Founding Partner
       Founder of early-stage Artificial Intelligence (AI) software
            fund focused on global logistics, delivery, routing, Advanced
            Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and robotics industry
            investments.

    Independent Consultant, San Jose, CA    2016-present
       Served as an independent consultant providing business,
            financial, and technical analyses through several expert
            network companies.

    Microvision, Inc., Redmond, WA    2021-2023
    Board Member
       Advised senior leadership and the Board on business
            strategies focusing on automotive Lidar technologies and design
            of high-speed safety features for Original Equipment
            Manufacturers (OEMs).

    Pioneer, Inc., Tokyo, Japan    2019-2021
    Advisor (remote)
       Served as the investor's Senior Advisory Consultant and
            liaison to senior leadership and operating teams building next
            generation electric vehicle systems, while directly supervising
            corporate development and business partnerships.

    Aurima, Inc., Mountain View, CA    2017-2019
    Chief Executive Officer
       Led the development of this startup focusing on camera-radar
            sensor fusion using radar algorithmic processing and machine
            learning for ADAS and autonomous drive platforms, while later
            managing the transition process into camera-radar hardware
            development business line.

    Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems, LLC, Santa Clara, CA
    2014-2017
    Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President
       Built a new Business Unit for Continental AG based in the
            U.S. with a growth target of =100M with an annual budget of
            =37M. Starting from zero, hired and led a team of 150 software
            engineers in 2.5 years.
       Transformed Continental AG's services into a cloud-based
            mobility platform, ADAS mapping, remote vehicle access, vehicle
            diagnostics and Smart Cities infrastructure.

    Google [X] Self Driving Car Program, Mountain View, CA    2011-2014
    Senior Business Development and Global Partnerships Lead
       Responsible for all business development initiatives and
            strategic partnerships for hardware business, while also
            serving as the executive for contract negotiations under the
            technology integration program.
       Served as the principal responsible for the entire
            partnership portfolio supporting California policy initiatives,
            which included city management and market development
            analytics.

    Cuil, Inc. (acquired by Google in 2011), Menlo Park, CA    2007-2011
    VP of Business Development and Finance
       Managed all partnerships, corporate development, strategic
            funding, and internal financial planning and developed a
            product roadmap to align corporate technical expertise with top
            line growth strategy.

    Career Break 2003-2007
       Took an extended break to focus on family and other
            interests.

    Urban Media Communications, Inc., Palo Alto, CA    2000-2003
    VP of Finance and Strategy
       Principal responsible for all funding and strategic
            negotiations. Secured $32M in venture lending facility and $60M
            in strategic equity round at $150M valuation.

    Versata, Inc., Oakland, CA    1999-2000
    VP of Finance and Strategy
       Closed four acquisitions, maximized pre-IPO market
            capitalization, while managing investment banking relationships
            to bring the company public.

    Berkeley Networks, Milpitas, CA    1998-1999
    Consultant to VP of Engineering
       As senior advisor, formulated acquisition versus IPO
            financial models based upon optimal valuation scenarios leading
            to management's decision for a stock swap alliance with FORE,
            and subsequently GEC's $4.2 billion acquisition of FORE
            Systems.
    FINANCE AND WALL STREET EXPERIENCE
    Global Emerging Markets Advisors, L.P., New York, NY    1995-1998
    Principal
       Involved in all aspects of business development including
            marketing, sales, trading, research and administration for the
            global emerging markets debt and equity fund, GEM Opportunity
            Fund Ltd.

    Merrill Lynch & Co, New York, NY    1992-1995
    Director of Emerging Market Equities
       Lead Merrill Lynch's worldwide institutional research sales
            effort in Latin America enabling the firm to rank number one in
            international underwriting. Coordinated privatizations of
            Telcos, Telebras, TelMex, Telefonica de Argentina, and other
            major corporate issuers in Latin America.

    Salomon Brothers, Inc., New York, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong
    1986-1992
    VP of Equities
       Managed global emerging markets equity desk.
    VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENTS
    U.S. State Department Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Program,
    Washington, DC
    Delegate
       Represented Google and Continental, respectively, at the
            APEC Women's Conference for establishing economic equality
            measures for Women in the Global Economy.

    HealthCorps Foundation, New York, NY
    Board of Advisors
       Providing strategic direction to the Dr. Oz family
            foundation for its public and private national service program
            in 52 schools across the United States.

    Connected Car Council (C3 Group)
    Council Member
       Frequent speaker at global auto shows, South by Southwest
            (SXSW), Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and Fortune 500
            Executive Conferences.

    Wharton School of Business, Philadelphia, PA
    Wharton Interactive Media Department Guest Lecturer
       Lecturer on ``Search, New Media and its Monetization'' as
            part of a Monetizing Emerging Interactive Media class in the
            new Wharton Interactive Media Initiative.
    EDUCATION
       MBA, Finance and Marketing double major, The Wharton School
            of Business, University of Pennsylvania

       BA, Political Science and Economics, Wellesley College/MIT
            Joint Program, cum laude

    PATENTS (developed during tenures with Google [X] Self Driving Car
    Program and Continental ITS)

      1.  Geo-proximity vehicle alert and access system for security and
            package exchange efficiency US9821768B2 (2015).
             Lead Inventor
             Status: Granted

      2.  Technological and Financial Partnerships to Enable a Package
            Exchange Service US20160098670A1 (2015).
             Lead Inventor
             Status: Published

      3.  Hacker security solution for package transfer to and from a
            vehicle US20160099927A1 (2015).
             Lead Inventor
             Status: Granted

      4.  End to end system for service delivery to and from a vehicle
            using a dongle US10002479B2 (2015).
             Lead Inventor
             Status: Granted

      5.  Package Exchange and Service System Using a Key Fob Simulator
            US20160098871A1 (2015).
             Lead Inventor
             Status: Granted

      6.  In-vehicle consumer purchase system, US10796351B2 WO2017035011A1
            (2016).
             Co-Inventor
             Status: Granted

      7.  Package exchange service using local delivery services
            US20180240067A1 (2016).
             Lead Inventor
             Status: Granted

      8.  Usage-based vehicle leasing and other services with a dongle
            module WO2017053047A1 (2016).
             Lead Inventor
             Status: Published

      9.  On-demand and on-site vehicle maintenance service US20180285832A1
            (2016).
             Lead Inventor
             Status: Granted
                                     ______

    SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
    Featured Speaker, Rally International 2023, sponsored by Indiana
    Economic Development Corporation, Indianapolis, IN, 2023

    Keynote Speaker, The Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium (AVCC),
    sponsored by AVCC, Cambridge, United Kingdom, September 2023.

    Speaker, Roundtable on Autonomous Driving--Key Challenges with Seval
    Oz, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong, August 2021.

    Panel Speaker, Roundtable on Autonomous Driving, sponsored by Gerson
    Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong, Hong Kong, August 2021.

    Guest Speaker, Turkish Win Sponsored Corporate Event, sponsored by
    Turkish WIN, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2020.

    Keynote Speaker, ITU Technology Summit and Award Ceremony ITU
    Presentation and Lunch, sponsored by Istanbul Technical University
    (ITU), Istanbul, Turkey, February 2020.

    Discussion Panelist, Research Facility Visit, sponsored by GLG/Huawei,
    Shenzhen, China, January 2020.

    Panel Speaker, Tokyo Motor Show, Tech Consultations and Workshops,
    sponsored by BPEA, Tokyo, Japan, October 2019.

    Keynote Speaker, ADAS Expert Lunch Talk and Presentation, sponsored by
    NewStreet Research LLC, London, United Kingdom, August 2019.

    Keynote Speaker, Digital Age Summit Keynote Speaker, sponsored by
    Capital Media Services, Istanbul, Turkey, April 2019.

    Keynote Speaker, Ari Teknokent Workshop Lecturer, sponsored by ITU
    (Istanbul Technical University), Istanbul, Turkey, April 2019.

    Keynote Speaker, GLG-APAC Tour ``Pushing Autonomous Vehicles to The
    Finish Line With Seval Oz'', sponsored by GLG, Seoul, South Korea,
    March 2019.

    Keynote Speaker, Roundtable Lunch -Speakers Series, sponsored by Gerson
    Lehrman Group, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, March 2019.

    Guest Speaker, March 13--APAC Roadshow and Roundtable Lunch Keynote
    Speaker, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong, Hong Kong,
    March 2019.

    Keynote Speaker, International Women's Day Speech for GLG Consulting
    Services Keynote Luncheon Speaker on Tech, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman
    Group (GLG), Sydney, Australia, March 2019.

    Keynote Speaker, Rotary Club Lunch, sponsored by Rotary Club, Istanbul,
    Turkey, January 2019.

    Speaker, AlphaSights/BCG Sponsored Neom Land Mobility Workshop,
    sponsored by AlphaSights/BCG, Barcelona, Spain, November 2018.

    Guest Speaker, Guest Lecture Ozyegin University, sponsored by Ozyegin
    University, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2018.

    Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: Who Will Win The Autonomous Vehicles Arms
    Race? Presentation On Autonomous Vehicle Overview, sponsored by Gerson
    Lehrman Group (GLG), London, United Kingdom, July 2018.

    Keynote Speaker, Global Women In Technology, sponsored by Turkish WIN
    (London chapter), London, United Kingdom, July 2018.

    Speaker, Roundtable: Beyond The Connected Car: Autonomous Vehicle
    Ecosystem, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Seoul, South Korea,
    May 2018.

    Keynote Speaker, BNP Paribas Conference, sponsored by GLG, Hong Kong,
    Hong Kong, May 2018.

    Speaker, Roundtable Discussions Where I Presented On State of AV
    Technology, sponsored by GLG, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, May 2018.

    Keynote Speaker, BNP Paribas Conference, sponsored by GLG, Singapore,
    Singapore, May 2018.

    Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: Beyond The Connected Car: Autonomous
    Vehicle Ecosystem, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Beijing,
    China, May 2018.

    Guest Speaker, Sell-Side Call: With Seval Oz On Robotaxis, sponsored by
    Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), London, United Kingdom, February 2018.

    Keynote Speaker, Hurdles for Autonomous Driving Technology Roundtable:
    The Future of Automotive (Toronto), co-sponsored by Gerson Lehrman
    Group/AAA, Toronto, Canada, June 2017.

    Speaker/Moderator, South By Southwest (SXSW) Annual Conference, Austin,
    TX, March 2017.

    Guest Speaker, Roundtable: The Road to Autonomous Driving: New
    Technology Developments, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong
    Kong, Hong Kong, February 2017.

    Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: The Road to Autonomous Driving: Technology
    Developments (Singapore), sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG),
    Singapore, Singapore, January 2017.

    Panel Speaker, Autonomous Driving/AI Technology Roundtable, sponsored
    by GLG, Tokyo, Japan, January 2017.

    Opening Keynote Speaker, ITS America Annual Conference and Expo, San
    Jose, June 2016.

    Opening Keynote Speaker, ITS World Congress (22nd Annual), co-hosted by
    ERTICO and ITS Asia Pacific, Bordeaux, France, October 2015.

    Keynote Speaker, Frankfurt Motor Show, sponsored by Continental AG,
    Frankfurt, Germany, September 2015.

    Panel Speaker, Digital Web Summit Conference, sponsored by Web Summit
    Conference, Dublin, Ireland, November 2014.

    Panel Selectionist, Endeavor.Org Annual Global Meeting, sponsored by
    Endeavor.org, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2012.

    Keynote Speaker, Turkish Women's International Network-Microsoft
    Office, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2012.

    Keynote Speaker, Turkish Women's International Network (Global) UK
    Chapter, sponsored by the Turkish chapter of WIN (Women In Networking),
    London, United Kingdom, July 2012.

    Delegate for Google, Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC)
    Conference, sponsored by U.S. State Department, Saint Petersburg,
    Russia, June 2012.

    Guest Speaker and Panelist, Mentorship, Social Media and Corporate
    Development in Silicon Valley, Indian Institutes of Management (IIM),
    2009
                                     ______

      Addendum to the questionnaire submitted to the Senate Committee on
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 119th Congress by Seval Oz.
        Upon further review, as brought to my attention by the Committee, I
    have identified additional information that is responsive to the
    following questions on the Committee's questionnaire.
    Oz Questionnaire:
        A.1--Please clarify if Oz or Ozveren is Ms. Oz's legal last name.
        Oz is my birth last name. I retain the use of my legal maiden last
    name. I am currently in the process of updating this information on my
    legal documents.
        A.11--Ms. Oz's LinkedIn mentions serving as a strategic advisor at
    ``Bond Mobility'' which is not disclosed on her questionnaire or OGE
    278e. Please clarify this and provide a supplement as appropriate.
        This was a friend and colleague's start-up which did not
    materialize into any formal arrangement. I did travel overseas to visit
    the company once and this trip was disclosed in my SF 86, under section
    20C-Foreign travel item #39 in October 2018.
        A.18--Please clarify whether a link or digital copy for each entry
    is available. If so, please provide the link or digital copy. If not,
    please state so for each.
        Attached are three Power Point decks (AVCC, Autonomous Vehicle
    Computer Consortium September, 2023; Tokyo Motor Show Presentation,
    March 2013 and Turkish WIN Global, July 2018) which are the only
    presentations I have available from the items listed in A.18 on my
    Senate Questionnaire. All other presentations have no corresponding
    link or presentation available.

      1.  Keynote Speaker, The Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium
            (AVCC), sponsored by AVCC, Cambridge, United Kingdom, September
            2023

      2.  Keynote Speaker, Turkish WIN, July 2018

      3.  Speaker, Tokyo Motor Show Presentation, Tokyo Motor Show 2013

        A.19--This item requests ``all public statements'' the nominee has
    made in the past ten years ``on topics relevant to the position for
    which you have been nominated.'' Ms. Oz's response references public
    statements she made ``addressed to autonomous vehicles and new
    technology matters not directly relevant to DOT or the position of
    Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.''
        According to DOT, ``the Office of the Assistant Secretary for
    Research and Technology (OST-R), works at the dynamic intersection of
    new and emerging technologies, transportation data, policy, research
    and all modes of transportation across the Department.''
        Please work with Ms. Oz to ensure all public statements she has
    made in the past ten years on any topics ``relevant'' to the Assistant
    Secretary position are included in her questionnaire. Please provide a
    supplement as appropriate.
        Below is a broader list of public statements related to research I
    have been involved in, including a wider search of U.S. and
    International statements. Some do not have public links available.

            Interview, Techcrunch Live webinar, June 2024
            Topic: Startup investing in mobility investment trends in
            autonomous driving startups. AI and Sensor Fusion.
            No known link available.

            Social Media Announcement, LinkedIn, January 2023
            Topic: Archimede Ventures launch (entrepreneurship AI in
            Transportation)
            https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sevaloz_archimede-ventures-
            announcement/

            Social Media Post LinkedIn, April 20, 2022
            Topic: Libraries and Education (personal commentary in support
            of Libraries)
            https://www.linkedin.com/in/sevaloz/

            Interview, Yahoo Finance, March 2021
            Topic: Microvision and Industry Outlook at the time of
            appointment to the Board
            No known link available.

            Interview/Keynote Highlights, Digital Age Summit, Gonul
            Hadimli, MediaCat, May 16, 2019
            Topics: Road Safety, Autonomous Tech Adoption.
            No known link available.

            Media Commentary, Digital Age Summit, Istanbul, Turkey, April
            2, 2019
            Topic: Are we Ready to Leave the Steering Wheel to Artificial
            Intelligence?''
            https://digitalage.com.tr/digital-age-summit-2019-icin-hazir-
            misiniz/

            Publication of Talk (IEEE TV) of Oz's Fog World Conference
            Talk, July 26, 2018
            Topic: How deep learning-driven data and edge ``fog'' computing
            can help fill remaining gaps in automation.
            No known link available.

            Speaker, SXSW Conference, Austin, TX, March 2018
            Topic: Sensor Fusion for AV's
            No known link available.

            Keynote Speech, Fog World Conference, October 2017
            Topic: Gaps in vehicle automation, future technology. Automated
            Driving What's Next?
            No known link available.

            Interview, Automotive World, Interview by Freddie Holmes, July
            13, 2016
            Smart Cities, public -private partnerships.
            No known link available.

            Public Address, ITS World Congress, Bordeaux, France, August
            10, 2015
            Topic: Intelligent Transportation Systems Industry
            Collaboration.
            https://digitalage.com.tr/digital-age-summit-2019-icin-hazir-
            misiniz/

            Web Summit 2014/Webrazzi Conference, Dublin, Ireland, November
            6, 2014
            Topic: Autonomous Vehicles Timeline.
            No known link available.

            Interview, Star Newspaper via Amerikan Bulteni, October 9,
            2011, Asli Gur Interviewer Early reference to Autonomous
            Vehicles.
            No known link available.

        C.3--We identified several matters where Ms. Oz is a named party
    that are not disclosed in the questionnaire:

       Oliver Rowen et al vs. Seval Ozveren (CA Superior Court,
            filed August 2021

        This item was already disclosed in the senate committee
    questionnaire under C.3. as a small claims court dispute in 2021 which
    was settled on April 23. 2022. (Pls see questionnaire)

       K. Kirkland vs. S. Ozveren (CA Superior Court, filed August
            2014)

        I was made aware of this item during the background interview. I
    was unaware of this filing by the marital dissolution lawyer whose fees
    have been settled by the other party.

       S. Ozveren vs. University Club of Palo Alto (CA Superior
            Court, filed August 2012) This was an injury claim which was
            settled.

       S. Ozveren vs. Los Gatos Dog and Cat Hospital, et al (CA
            Superior Court, filed August 2008)

        This claim was for an unauthorized medical procedure for one of our
    pets. The claim was resolved and dismissed.

       S. Ozveren vs. Estate of Jane Escamilla, et al (CA Superior
            Court, filed August 2007)

        Property damage claim filed in small claims court against a
    neighbor whose oak tree fell on our property. Neighbor deceased. Claim
    was not pursued.

       Cuneyt Ozveren and Seval Ozveren (CA Superior Court, filed
            January 2007) This case was for matrimonial resolution.

       Recover Property for Inheritance Rights Pursuant to Article
            683 of the Turkish Civil Code against Nazlum Oz.

        The case is pending before the Istanbul 29th Civil Court for First
    Instance. File number 2022/84e. It is associated with related
    proceeding in Turkey to resolve an ongoing trust and estate dispute
    among members of the Oz family regarding the proper distribution of
    father's estate.
                                     ______

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                     ______

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        The Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Rutherford, you are now
    recognized for your opening statement.

                STATEMENT OF MICHAEL ALBERT RUTHERFORD,

              NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY, OFFICE OF

             MULTIMODAL FREIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICY,

               UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

        Mr. Rutherford. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and
    Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to be
    here today. It is an incredible honor to be President Trump's
    nominee as the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Multimodal
    Freight Infrastructure and Policy, more simply referred to as
    the Freight Office.
        I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by both
    President Trump and Secretary Duffy to lead this relatively new
    office and to shepherd its continued development under their
    leadership in the years ahead.
        I am also grateful for my family, who is here with me
    today. My wife Francesca who is not just the love of my life--
    but pardon me for saying senators--the most interesting person
    that I have ever met. She is joined by our daughter, Maria
    Vittoria, a rising freshman and research scholar in the honors
    program at the University of Florida; and our 12-year-old son,
    John Carlo, a source of both great pride and constant
    entertainment.
        As I sit here today before the Senate Commerce, Science,
    and Transportation Committee, I am aware of the expectations
    for this position, especially outside this room. Industry has
    long lamented the fact that freight does not vote. The
    introduction of the Freight Office was hailed as finally giving
    a voice to freight, while much has been accomplished, still
    much more is expected.
        I worked in industry after studying international finance
    and commerce at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and
    getting a Master's in International Economics and Management at
    SDA Bocconi in Milan, Italy. I worked in consumer goods at
    Johnson and Johnson, and Adidas in Europe, where I learned a
    lot about sourcing and distribution.
        Then I joined CSX in 2008, starting out in intermodal
    before ultimately managing everything moving on the railroad
    except intermodal and coal. During that time, I participated in
    a number of strategic initiatives like the National Gateway
    Infrastructure Project, launching the UMAX Interline Container
    Program in conjunction with Union Pacific, championing 50-foot
    box car reinvestments, and assisting customers during the roll
    out of Precision Scheduled Railroading.
        It is my sincere hope that all those who have long promoted
    the creation of a high-level freight office will view the first
    assistant secretary appointment of someone with my industry
    experience as a reflection of the commitment by President Trump
    and Secretary Duffy to advance the cause for freight.
        The mission of the Freight Office goes well beyond simply
    creating ease of doing business by establishing a primary,
    though not sole point of contact, for all things freight
    related. Ad hoc coordination must make way for a more
    systematic and holistic approach to freight planning throughout
    U.S. DOT while partnering with state DOTs and across the
    administration as appropriate.
        The proposed Draft National Multimodal Freight Network with
    over 78,000 roadway miles, 80,000 rail miles, 21,000 waterway
    miles, 140 marine ports, and 65 airports, plays a fundamental
    role in much of the activities of the Freight Office. Given
    this significance, we must get it right. If confirmed, the
    Freight Office will follow up on all concerns regarding the
    current draft, including those regarding missing mileage in
    some states.
        Building upon this work, the National Freight Strategic
    Plan aims to drive and align with State DOT freight plans to
    bolster economic growth and international competitiveness based
    on a shared vision of the future. In addition to addressing
    bottlenecks and bringing key infrastructure back to a state of
    good repair, this requires identifying critical freight
    facilities and corridors with vital interconnections to enhance
    overall performance of our Nation's freight system.
        And if confirmed, I will work to ensure the timely update
    of the National Freight Strategic Plan consistent with current
    market dynamics, including shifting trade flows, the reshoring
    of manufacturing, and a renewed emphasis on industries of
    national importance. I will also seek to ensure that freight
    grant programs within the Office of the Secretary, and across
    U.S. DOT support key priorities of proper Federal interest.
        Another key function of the Freight Office is to facilitate
    data sharing opportunities among freight stakeholders.
    Recognizing that you cannot manage what you do not know,
    Freight Logistics Optimization Works, or FLOW, provides freight
    stakeholders with invaluable supply chain visibility, enabling
    them to react more proactively to forward-looking changes in
    the operating environment at our Nation's ports.
        Despite early successes, there is still so much more that
    the Freight Office can do to build upon these earlier efforts.
        If I am fortunate to be confirmed as the Assistant
    Secretary of the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure
    and Policy, I will devote myself to helping the Secretary
    promote safe, efficient, and resilient freight transportation
    across all modes, and along the full spectrum of supply chain
    and logistics, from sourcing to distribution, from America's
    heartland to the big city and beyond.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman, that concludes my statement. And I
    would be happy to answer the Committee's questions.
        [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
    Rutherford follow:]

        Prepared Statement of Michael Albert Rutherford, Nominee to be
     Assistant Secretary, Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and
               Policy, United States Department of Transportation
        Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, Members of the Committee--

        Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. It is an incredible
    honor to be President Trump's nominee as the Assistant Secretary of the
    Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, more simply
    referred to as the Freight Office.
        I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by both President
    Trump and Secretary Duffy to lead this relatively new office and to
    shepherd its continued development under their leadership in the years
    ahead.
        I am also grateful for my family, who is here with me today. My
    wife Francesca, who is not just the love of my life but--pardon me for
    saying, Senators--the most interesting person that I have ever met. She
    is joined by our daughter, Maria Vittoria, a rising freshman and
    Research Scholar in the Honors Program at the University of Florida,
    and our 12 year old son John Carlo, a source of both great pride and
    constant entertainment.
        As I sit here today before the Senate Commerce, Science, &
    Transportation Committee, I am aware of the expectations for this
    position--especially outside this room. Industry has long lamented the
    fact that ``freight doesn't vote.'' The introduction of the Freight
    Office was hailed as finally giving a voice to freight. While much has
    been accomplished, still much more is expected.
        I worked in industry. After studying International Finance &
    Commerce at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and getting a
    Masters in International Economics & Management at SDA Bocconi in
    Milan, Italy, I worked in consumer goods at Johnson & Johnson and
    Adidas in Europe, where I learned a lot about sourcing and
    distribution. Then I joined CSX in 2008, starting out in Intermodal
    before ultimately managing everything moving on the railroad except
    Intermodal and Coal. During that time, I participated in a number of
    strategic initiatives like supporting the National Gateway
    infrastructure project, launching the UMAX interline container program
    in conjunction with Union Pacific, championing 50-foot boxcar
    reinvestments, and assisting customers during the roll-out of Precision
    Scheduled Railroading (PSR).
        It is my sincere hope that all those who have long promoted the
    creation of a high level Freight Office will view the first Assistant
    Secretary appointment of someone with my industry experience as a
    reflection of the commitment by President Trump and Secretary Duffy to
    advance the cause for freight.
        The mission of the Freight Office goes well beyond simply creating
    ease-of-doing business by establishing a primary (though not sole)
    point of contact for all things freight-related. Ad hoc coordination
    must make way for a more systematic and holistic approach to freight
    planning throughout U.S. DOT, while partnering with state DOTs and
    across the Administration as appropriate.
        The proposed Draft National Multimodal Freight Network with over 78
    thousand roadway miles, 80 thousand rail miles, 21 thousand waterway
    miles, 140 marine ports and 65 airports, plays a fundamental role in
    much of the activities of the Freight Office. Given this significance,
    we must get it right. If confirmed, the Freight Office will follow up
    on all concerns regarding the current draft, including those regarding
    ``missing mileage'' in some states.
        Building upon this work, the National Freight Strategic Plan aims
    to drive and align with State DOT freight plans to bolster economic
    growth and international competitiveness based on a shared vision of
    the future. In addition to addressing bottlenecks and bringing key
    infrastructure back to a state of good repair, this requires
    identifying critical freight facilities and corridors with vital
    interconnections to enhance overall performance of our Nation's freight
    system. If confirmed, I will work to ensure the timely update of the
    National Freight Strategic Plan consistent with current market dynamics
    including shifting trade flows, the reshoring of manufacturing, and a
    renewed emphasis on industries of national importance. I will also seek
    to ensure that freight grant programs within the Office of the
    Secretary and across U.S. DOT support key priorities of proper Federal
    interest.
        Another key function of the Freight Office is to facilitate data
    sharing opportunities among freight stakeholders. Recognizing that you
    cannot manage what you do not know, Freight Logistics Optimization
    Works or FLOW provides freight stakeholders with invaluable supply
    chain visibility, enabling them to react more proactively to forward-
    looking changes in the operating environment at our Nation's ports.
    Despite early successes, there is still so much more that the Freight
    Office can do to build upon it earlier efforts.
        If I am fortunate to be confirmed as the Assistant Secretary of the
    Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy, will devote
    myself to helping the Secretary promote safe, efficient, and resilient
    freight transportation across all modes and along the full spectrum of
    Supply Chain and Logistics, from sourcing to distribution, from
    America's heartland to the Big City and beyond.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes my statement, and I would
    be happy to answer the Committee's questions.
                                     ______

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

            Michael Albert Rutherford.

        2. Position to which nominated: Assistant Secretary of
    Transportation, Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy.
        3. Date of Nomination: March 24, 2025.
        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: Tallahassee, FL.
        6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
    spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your
    children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).

            Francesca Romana Dal Savio (wife)
            Vice President, Superior Medical Staffing Services
            8850 Goodbys Executive Dr, Ste C--Jacksonville, FL 32217
            Maria Vittoria Rutherford--18

        7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not
    you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the
    institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of
    the degree.

            HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL
            CSX Executive Development Program
            Aug 2013 (8/9/2013) plus a long-term internal Team project

            SDA BOCCONI
            MASTERS IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT
            Jan-Dec 1998 (12/19/1998)

            GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE
            BSFS in International Economics--Specialization in
            International Finance & Commerce
            Aug 1992-May 1996 (5/25/1996)

        8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,
    name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all
    management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
    the position for which you are nominated.

            SUPERIOR MEDICAL STAFFING SERVICES
            President (2/2019 to present)*

            AMERICAN PETROLOG
            Senior Vice President (1/2020-1/2021)

            CSX TRANSPORTATION
            VP Sales & Marketing Merchandise (2017-8/2018)*
            VP Sales & Marketing Industrial Products (11/2016-2017)*
            AVP Sales & Marketing Industrial Products (8/2013-10/2016)*
            Director VOC/Market Intelligence & Strategy (8/2011-7/2013)*

            CSX INTERMODAL
            Director Marketing Intermodal (8/2008-8/2011)*
            Director Strategic Planning (2/2008-7/2008)

            ADIDAS GROUP SpA
            Head of Marketing Originals (2/2007-1/2008)*
            Head of Marketing Services (2/2005-1/2007)*

            JOHNSON & JOHNSON ITALY SpA
            Category Manager--Sales (5/2001-1/2005)*
            Jr Product Manager Neutrogena/Penaten (7/2000-4/2001)
            Assistant Product Manager Neutrogena/Penaten (11/1999-6/2000)

            JOHNSON & JOHNSON--EAME NEUTROGENA FRANCHISE (Paris)
            Stageur (4/1999-10/1999)

            IEA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR GAS TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION
            Research Associate (6/1996-12/1997)
            Program Assistant (1995-6/1996)

        * = Management level

        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 after 18 years of age. Not applicable.
        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.

       Rutherford Medical Holdings, LLC (dba Superior Medical
            Staffing Services)--President (2019 to present)

       National Defense Transportation Association--Chair of Rail
            Sub-Committee (2017-2018)

       Indiana Railroad--Board Member (2018)

       CSX Good Government Fund (PAC)--Board Member (2016-2018)

        12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or
    currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,
    political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously
    affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization
    (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.

            Sons of the American Revolution (2021 to present)--Men Only

            Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge
            (2021 to Life)

            General Society of the War of 1812 (2021 to present)--Men Only

            National Italian American Foundation (2024 to present)

            Salvation Army of Northeast Florida--Advisory Board Member
            (2017-2020)

            National Defense Transportation Association (2016-2018)

            Rail Shippers Associations: National, Northeast, Southeast,
            Pacific-Northwest, Midwest, Southwest (2008-2018)

            Traffic Clubs: New York, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh (2008-2018)

            Truckload Carriers Association (2008-2010)

        Note that dates are approximated in some cases.

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

            Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Krogh Scholar

            Georgetown University European Studies Certificate

            Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar

            CSX Recognition for Outstanding Contribution 2010, 2011

        17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,
    Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,
    individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    publication when available.
        See attached.
        18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,
    PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for
    which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    speech or presentation when available.

            NEARS--American PetroLog: Reflections on the Road Ahead (9/
            2020)

            Paper & Forest Industry Transportation Committee (4/2018)

            CSX Southeast Rail Forum (3/2018)

            CSX Investor & Analyst Conference starting on slide 50 (3/1/
            2018)--Article, highlight Video

            National Industrial Transportation League (1/2018)--Agenda

            National Grain & Feed Association (2018)--cited by CEO in
            letter to STB RailTrends Conference (12/2017) with follow up
            references here and here American Chemistry Council Meeting
            (11/2017)

            NDTA Rail Sub-Committee--Railcars start on page 25 (10/12/2017)
            & Award

            NEARS--PRECISION SCHEDULED RAILROADING AT CSX: Unlocking
            Potential through Transformative Change (9/27/2017)

            SEARS--Precision Schedule Railroading (9/20/2017)--Presentation

            AMM's 22nd Mexican Steel Forum (2/2017)

            CSX Mexico Customer Meeting (10/2014)

            NEARS Freight Professionals Roundtable (9/2013)

            LATC: Value Chains: A New Role for Intermodal (6/14/2011)

            PNWARS Spring Conference (3/2014)

            Spirit of the Port (Philadelphia--4/2011)

        Please note that this list is complete to the best of my
    recollection. Know also that I no longer have access to all of my files
    and schedules since departing CSX. Some dates may be approximative. In
    addition to the links above, see attached for additional presentation
    files.
        19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten
    years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and
    television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position
    for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to
    each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a
    digital copy of the statement when available.

            Bulk Transporter--American PetroLog solving problems with
            multi-modal approach (2021)

            SWARS--American PetroLog Sponsorship (2020)

            CSX Honors Safe Chemical Shippers (2018)

            WSJ America's Boxcar Pool Has a Leak in CSX (2018)

            Customer Testimony to STB citing my personal handling of
            service issues (2017)

            WSJ--Why Railroads Can't Keep Enough Boxcars in Service (2015)

            DC Velocity--Rails try new route to intermodal growth (2011)

            Fleet Management--The Changing Face of Trucking Part 2: Riding
            the Rails (2010)

        20. 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 full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',
    including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, 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 (active): Michael Rutherford
            https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-a-rutherford/

            TRUTH Social (active): Pasquino (MA Rutherford)
            https://truthsocial.com/@MARutherford

            YouTube (active for watching): Michael
            https://www.youtube.com/@michaelrutherford2268

            Facebook (deleted Fall 2018): Michael Rutherford

        21. 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, committee, and subject
    matter of each testimony. None.
        22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
    operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation
    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 experience as both a shipper and a transportation provider in
    both domestic and international markets will serve me well in this
    position. With the sole exception of Air, I have worked in some
    capacity with all major freight modes: Truck/Parcel, Rail (Class I &
    Short Lines), Ocean Carriers, Ports, Transload, and Warehousing.
    Although I did not work much directly with Barge, I am very familiar
    with their operations, as they were a key modal competitor in certain
    markets. Furthermore, I have worked with a wide range of freight
    markets: Domestic & International Intermodal, Metals, Forest Products &
    Paper, Aggregates, Chemicals, Phosphates & Fertilizer, Agricultural
    Commodities, Municipal Waste, Military, and Over-Dimensionals.
        Thanks to this experience, I have a deep appreciation for the
    mission of the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy.
    This mission is all the more significant at this particular point in
    time. I would be honored to be given the opportunity to contribute by
    bringing to bear my experience in this position to drive progress in
    realizing the future of freight transportation in America.
        23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
    ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper
    management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in
    managing a large organization?
        My primary responsibility is to help the Secretary to articulate a
    compelling vision for the National Freight Strategic Plan in support of
    the overall direction of the Administration while ensuring that the
    activities of the Office support this vision. My focus will be on
    making the most of every taxpayer dollar (e.g., grant programs, key
    initiatives), whether spent at U.S. DOT or by those partnering with us.
    This includes exploring ways to streamline processes; to provide
    guidance; and to accelerate project timelines in an effort to avoid
    potential cost overruns while maximizing the return on investment.
        I have developed a strong sense of situational leadership in both
    line and staff positions at senior levels. I have led both small and
    large (120+) Teams with multiple reporting layers across broad and even
    international geographies. I have participated at every level in large
    capital investment in infrastructure (e.g., supported the business case
    for port and clearance projects); railcar fleets (e.g., championed
    reinvestment in 50' Plate F Boxcars); and technology (e.g., headed the
    CSX Intermodal Technology Steering Committee). I also became familiar
    with sourcing strategies and distribution issues while working in Fast-
    Moving Consumer Goods. Finally, I have extensive experience in managing
    department and personnel budgets. More specifically, I participated on
    a cross-functional team that helped the Adidas subsidiary in Italy
    receive an award for Most Profitable Country in 2005.
        24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
    department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?

      (1)  To articulate a compelling and shared vision of the National
            Freight Strategic Plan, better clarifying what it means to be
            part of the Multimodal Freight Network. This entails making
            choices and providing clearer guidance based on both immediate
            and long-term considerations.

      (2)  To achieve the proper balance between driving and aligning on
            strategic and comprehensive national priorities at the state,
            local and Federal levels. This also necessitates a more
            holistic view of freight networks that necessarily transcends
            more circumscribed considerations, while sponsoring solutions
            like multi-state compacts to build sustained consensus for
            larger, multi-year initiatives.

      (3)  To ensure an adequate return on investment by making certain
            that every project supports our vision for the future, not the
            past. Building consensus about the future presents a
            constructive challenge in dynamic market environments,
            encouraging strategic alignment and forward-thinking
            collaboration.
                       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, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.
        In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
    the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation
    (DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts
    of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved
    consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I will enter into
    with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided
    to this Committee.
        2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
    to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
    association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,
    please explain. No.
        3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
    relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
    the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will
    resolve each potential conflict of interest.
        In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
    the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation
    (DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts
    of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved
    consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I will enter into
    with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided
    to this Committee.
        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 Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation
    (DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts
    of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved
    consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I will enter into
    with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided
    to this Committee.
        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 Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation
    (DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts
    of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved
    consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I have entered into
    with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided
    to this Committee.
        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.
        As shared previously, I served on the Board of CSX Good Government
    Fund (PAC), but I did not engage on specific policy issues.
                                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, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary
    committee, or other professional group? No.
        If yes:

      a.  Provide the name of the court, 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, municipal, or foreign government 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
    assault, 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/commission/
    corporation complies with deadlines for information set by
    congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information
    from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in
    the minority?
        Yes, I will ensure that my office responds to such requests as
    appropriate.
        2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and
    whistleblowers 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. I will ensure the office provides witnesses as appropriate.
        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. I will ensure to appear as appropriate.
                                     ______

                          Resume of Michael Rutherford
    Seasoned executive with international experience at Fortune 500
    companies and as a small business owner, with wide-ranging knowledge of
    industries, freight flows, and infrastructure across multiple modes
    (rail, road, water).
    SUPERIOR MEDICAL STAFFING SERVICES  Jacksonville, Florida
    Providing clinical and administrative staff to support large Managed
    Care Networks and independent medical providers across Northeast
    Florida, in a range of specialties from Primary Care to Neurosurgery.
    Licensed with AHCA in Florida.
    Supported a major Community Health Provider in a variety of state-
    sponsored health initiatives.

    President | Feb 2019-Present
    AMERICAN PETROLOG  Lafayette, Louisiana
    Led focused initiatives aimed at achieving aggressive growth targets by
    expanding rail to truck transloading services with a particular
    emphasis on Texas and New York City markets, domestic ISO fleet and
    adding value for customers.

    Sr Vice President | Jan 2020-Jan 2021
    CSX TRANSPORTATION  Jacksonville, Florida
    A premier transportation company providing rail, intermodal and rail-
    to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad
    array of markets while generating over $11 billion in revenue.

    Vice President Sales & Marketing Merchandise | Nov 2016-Aug 2018

    Reported to CCO with responsibility for the entire Merchandise
    portfolio generating over $7 billion in revenue, exceeding plan
    expectations despite significant service disruptions in 2017.

       Led a diverse Team of 140+ employees and contractors,
            including bulk port operations and international sales:
            Agriculture, Fertilizer, Chemicals, Metals, Minerals, Forest
            Products, Automotive, Military and Municipal Waste.

       Drove significant share gains in markets supported by rail
            assets despite significant fleet reductions, leading the
            industry position on 50-ft boxcars while enabling reinvestment
            for the first time in decades.

       Chaired Rail Sub-Committee for NDTA working with U.S.
            TRANSCOM to champion military railcar fleet investments.

       Recognized as ``the point of the spear'' for CSX's outreach
            in transition, engaging various stakeholders including
            customers, trade associations, national media, investors
            (shareholder meetings & conferences) and regulators (STB).

    Assistant Vice President Sales & Marketing Industrial Products | Aug
    2013-Oct 2016

    Reported to the Vice President and then CCO with a gradually expanding
    portfolio worth approximately $2 billion in revenue, encompassing the
    Metals, Minerals, Military and Forest Products markets.

       Accelerated margin expansion in three years through
            portfolio optimization and focused growth.

       Generated over 30 percent more contribution dollars on lower
            revenues and lower fuel surcharge for the Metals market in
            2015, compared to similar market levels in 2010, thanks to a
            radically different portfolio strategy.

       Sponsored fleet expansions after attaining reinvestment
            criteria and key account strategy alignment.

       Championed 50' boxcar fleets in the North American market
            despite initial industry opposition.

    Director VOC/Market Intelligence and Strategy | Aug 2011-Jul 2013

    Assumed increasing levels of responsibility for customer and market
    intelligence activities across all business units.

       Led key strategic planning functions, providing updates for
            the CSX Board and the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank.

       Garnered insights to inform Service Excellence initiatives,
            contributing to a 9 percent improvement in Overall Satisfaction
            to achieve record scores as measured in a proprietary survey
            with J.D. Power & Associates.

       Deployed the J.D. Power Commitment Model generating insights
            on key drivers of loyalty behaviors, which informed later
            strategies to proactively shape customer perceptions about
            service through real-time reporting in 2017.

    Director of Marketing Intermodal | Aug 2008-Aug 2011

    Responsible for all marketing and communication efforts for Intermodal
    (Trucking, IMC, Ocean Carrier, Ports). Key deliverables included mark
    strategy, messaging, communications and customer engagement.

       Partnered in launch of the UMAX program with Union Pacific,
            driving double-digit growth in rail asset revenue.

       Regular presenter at major industry conferences like
            regional shipper associations, traffic clubs, IANA, TIA and
            TPM.

       Developed corridor-specific strategies by identifying
            competitive gaps in inter-regional traffic flows to increase
            CSX's share in the east to 42 percent.

    Director of Strategic Planning Intermodal | Feb 2008-Jul 2008

    Reported to the Assistant Vice President of Sales & Marketing in a
    staff position.

       Coordinated the development of the Intermodal Strategy,
            including research for public-private partnerships like the
            National Gateway Project improving route efficiencies from East
            Coast Ports to Midwest markets.

       Prioritized investments in both productivity and service as
            head of the Technology Steering Committee.

       Led and participated in CSXI Customer Advisory Council
            Forums with Trucking Companies and Ocean Carriers.

       Facilitated Strategic Planning workshops with the Commercial
            Leadership Team.
    ADIDAS GROUP  Monza, Italy
    Commercial Head | Feb 2005-Jan 2008

    Managed Marketing Services and later the Originals Collection across
    multiple retail channels.

       Implemented a new go-to-market and communications strategy
            to reinvigorate sales and the multi-segment brand equity for
            Originals (Style Division), while driving and aligning local
            country plans with global and regional strategies.

       Championed the 2006 World Cup retail campaign in Marketing
            Services, setting a new sales record.

       Delivered cost savings while ensuring campaign effectiveness
            as part of a broader Budget Control Taskforce, contributing to
            the subsidiary winning the award for Most Profitable Country in
            2005.
    JOHNSON & JOHNSON  Paris, Rome & London, EAME
    Category Manager | May 2001-Jan 2005

    Coordinated strategic selling initiatives through category solutions
    based on consumer and shopper insights.

       Participated on the London-based team responsible for
            standardizing procedures, roles and responsibilities for sales
            organizations across the EAME region.

       Obtained ``Best in Class'' recognition for Category
            Management in a 2002 Trade Survey by Research Business
            International, as well as from EAME Leadership for FemCare and
            Bath & Shower category strategies.

    Product Manager | Apr 1999-Apr 2001

    Managed all marketing activities for the Neutrogena and Penaten brands
    in the Pharmacy Division.

       Helped EAME Franchise Leadership Team in Paris develop a
            plan to realign Neutrogena brand equity in the region with the
            Global Franchise strategy to support longer-term line
            extensions before leading the execution in Italy.

       Developed TV copy for Neutrogena Clear Pore featuring
            Jennifer Love Hewitt later adapted for other countries as part
            of a new brand strategy, growing sales of the line in Italy by
            over 40 percent.

       Increased Penaten sales by 9 percent or 13 percent net of
            SKU rationalizations, while expanding margins 630 bps.

       Supported the Global Team responsible for the acquisition of
            Aveeno.

    IEA INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR GAS TECHNOLOGY  Washington, D.C. |
    Jun 1996-Dec 1997

    Research Associate supporting a Technology Collaboration Program of the
    International Energy Agency aimed at facilitating the commercialization
    of natural gas technologies among public and private partners worldwide
    with direction from DOE's Gas Research Institute.
    EDUCATION
    Harvard Business School | CSX Executive Development Program | Boston,
    Massachusetts (2013)

    SDA Bocconi | Masters in International Economics and Management |
    Milan, Italy (1998)
    Distinction: Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar

    Georgetown University | BS in International Finance & Commerce cum
    laude | Washington, D.C. (1996) Distinctions: Krogh Scholar (Weighing
    National Claims in Bosnia-Herzegovina: A Human Rights Perspective on
    Self-Determination), European Studies Certificate (Democratic Culture
    at Work: The Case of Enrico Mattei and Eni), U.S. Congress LBJ
    Internship (Congresswoman Tillie Fowler)
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
    Board Positions: The Indiana Railroad Company (2018), CSX Good
    Government Fund (2016-2018)
    Chair Positions: Rail Sub-Committee for the National Defense
    Transportation Association (2017)
    Languages: Fluent in English and Italian
                                     ______

      Addendum to the questionnaire submitted to the Senate Committee on
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 119th Congress by Michael
                                  Rutherford.
        Upon further review, I have identified additional information that
    is responsive to the corresponding three questions on the Committee's
    questionnaire. They are:

       A.19--Please include the following public statements, which
            are on topics relevant to the position for which I have been
            nominated, including dates:

        American Metal Market Monthly--``Riding the Rails'' (August 2017)

        SAP Showcases Big Data Solutions Leveraging the SAP HANA Platform
            (SAP Press Release--October 2014)

        As noted in A.18, the list is complete to the best of my
            recollection. Know also that I no longer have access to all of
            my files and schedules since departing CSX.

       B.3--As indicated in my OGE 278e, I am invested in Tesla,
            Amazon, Chevron, and Exxon Mobil, among other entities, through
            my Parametric Investment Account with Morgan Stanley. The
            Parametric Account is managed independently by my broker
            without my expressed approval for individual transactions
            according to a proprietary model. If confirmed, I will
            consequently divest from this account and all stocks in this
            account consistent with my Ethics Agreement, which does not
            permit managed accounts of this type without expressed
            approval.
        Likewise, the DOT Office of the General Counsel determined that
            none of the above-stated stocks are currently a conflict-of-
            interest, pursuant to 5 C.F.R. Sec. 2640.202(a). If any of the
            individual stocks rise above the de minimis threshold prior to
            my divestment, I will coordinate with the DOT Ethics Office on
            next steps.

             Q15--POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS: MICHAEL ALBERT RUTHERFORD
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 COMMITTEE NAME               YEAR      DATE        AMOUNT
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     1/2/2014     $ 210.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     2/3/2014     $ 210.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     3/3/2014     $ 210.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     4/1/2014     $ 210.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     5/1/2014     $ 210.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     6/2/2014     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     7/1/2014     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     8/1/2014     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     9/2/2014     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014    10/1/2014     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014    11/3/2014     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014    12/1/2014     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     1/2/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     2/2/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     3/2/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     4/1/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     5/1/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     6/1/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     8/3/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     9/1/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015    10/1/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015    11/2/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015    12/1/2015     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     1/4/2016     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     2/1/2016     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     3/1/2016     $ 283.25
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     4/1/2016     $ 333.33
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     5/2/2016     $ 333.33
    CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2016    5/20/2016   $ 2,000.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     6/1/2016     $ 333.33
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     7/1/2016     $ 333.33
    CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2016    7/31/2016     $ 700.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     8/1/2016     $ 340.42
    CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2016    8/10/2016     $ 300.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     9/1/2016     $ 340.42
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016    10/3/2016     $ 340.42
    CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2016   10/25/2016   $ 1,000.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016    11/1/2016     $ 416.67
    DONALD J. TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT, INC.       2016    11/6/2016     $ 500.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016    12/1/2016     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     1/3/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     2/1/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     3/1/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     4/3/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     5/1/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     6/1/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     7/3/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     8/1/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     9/1/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017    10/2/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017    11/1/2017     $ 416.67
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017    12/1/2017     $ 416.63
    CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2017    12/5/2017   $ 2,700.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     2/1/2018     $ 454.55
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     3/1/2018     $ 454.55
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     4/2/2018     $ 454.55
    CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2018    4/30/2018   $ 2,700.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     5/1/2018     $ 454.55
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     6/1/2018     $ 454.55
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     7/6/2018     $ 454.55
    DEB FISCHER FOR U.S. SENATE               2018    7/18/2018     $ 500.00
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     8/1/2018     $ 454.55
    CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     9/4/2018     $ 454.55
    CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2020    7/28/2020   $ 2,800.00
    CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2020    7/28/2020   $ 2,800.00
    DONALD J. TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT, INC.       2020   10/19/2020   $ 2,800.00
    TRUMP VICTORY                             2020   10/19/2020   $ 1,000.00
    BLACK, DEAN (REP) (STR)                   2022    2/28/2022     $ 750.00
    TEAM HERSCHEL, INC                        2022    3/23/2022   $ 1,000.00
    CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2022    3/25/2022   $ 2,900.00
    COMMITTEE TO ELECT ERIC CUNNINGHAM FOR    2022    5/18/2022     $ 500.00
     CONGRESS
    SARAH FOR ALASKA                          2022    5/22/2022   $ 1,000.00
    LARIZZA, R. J. (REP) (STA)                2020   10/08/2020     $ 250.00
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

                      American PetroLog, LLC--May 19, 2020

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    Back to the Future: Lookout for these 5 Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends
        As individual states slowly begin to relax rules regarding
    nationwide COVID-19 quarantines, most are venturing back out a little
    more dazed and confused than before. One-third of the S&P 500 has
    withdrawn guidance with many cutting or suspending dividends. As CNBC's
    Bob Pisani noted at the end of last month, ``The dispersion-the
    difference between analyst estimates from the high to the low estimate-
    has never been higher.'' Increasingly views of the future have as much
    to do with pandemic and political factors as with where you are today
    on the curve.
        McKinsey recently compared the perceived effectiveness of the
    public-health response to that of economic policies in their April
    survey of global executives. Almost 60 percent of respondents now
    expect more muted world growth with some virus recurrence. China was an
    interesting outlier in that they were decidedly more optimistic. This
    seems consistent with a later McKinsey consumer survey whereby,
    somewhat unsurprisingly, sentiment shows increasing levels of optimism
    as countries move along the curve. This bodes well for the broader
    economy longer-term.
        Nevertheless, most do not anticipate a return to business as
    usual--and supply chains will be no different. Over the course of the
    next couple weeks we will share with you some thoughts on key trends
    likely to influence the evolution of U.S. supply chains in the coming
    months and years. Interestingly, most of these trends were already
    gaining momentum prior to the pandemic. Perhaps that is what makes them
    so compelling. For now, here is a brief overview of five supply chain
    trends for which to be on the lookout:

      1.  E-Commerce: Most agree that e-commerce will likely benefit from
            the recent disruption, but accelerated growth in this space
            will also highlight challenges in their supply chains.

      2.  Global Sourcing: Changes in consumer behavior along with
            political pressures will continue to weigh on global supply
            chains in particular, with equally disruptive consequences
            across domestic modes of transportation.

      3.  Trucking: Near-term volatility combined with the potential for
            structural changes in freight flows will favor industry
            consolidation and higher prices, but leave shippers wanting
            more.

      4.  Rail: The tension between the Precision Scheduled Railroading
            (PSR) model and the need for growth, both for its own sake and
            to keep regulators at bay, will make partnerships with short
            lines and transloaders all the more important.

      5.  Technology: Longer term, new manufacturing technologies have the
            potential to change how we respond to these supply chain
            challenges with even more radical implications, especially in
            large urban centers.

        That said, timing is everything. The pace at which these trends
    manifest themselves is important not only for planning purposes, but
    also because the relative timing of each can affect the magnitude with
    which other trends are realized. Just look at how volatility in truck
    capacity affects market pricing for all modes. In such an environment,
    shippers more than ever will need to partner with supply chain
    providers that can help them navigate these uncertain waters while
    designing resilient solutions that respond to their needs today and
    tomorrow.
        If you are interested in learning more about our thoughts on this
    and other topics, follow American PetroLog on Linkedin. In our next
    article, we will explore in more depth our first trend regarding
    changes in consumer behavior and discuss some of the challenges for e-
    commerce supply chains.
                                     ______

                      American PetroLog, LLC--May 20, 2020

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    Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Need for Speed Will Drive Blended
            e-Retail Solutions
        Major disruptions often provoke fundamental shifts in customer
    behaviors, which in turn determine how value is created and lost across
    supply chains. While it seems certain that COVID-19 is one such
    example, it is still difficult to say which changes will endure.
        For instance, a growing chorus (much of it backed by speculative
    investors) is again arguing, as they have periodically since the late
    1960s, that the time for telehealth has finally arrived. Yet serious
    concerns persist from the over-prescription of antibiotics to
    misdiagnoses, undermining both quality of care and attempts to reign in
    overall healthcare costs. Dr. Jeremy Greene of John Hopkins University
    observed in his recent article that we appear to be embracing
    telehealth as ``good enough medicine.'' Harvard Medical School
    professor Ateev Mehrotra further warned in an interview last month that
    ``telehealth could be overutilized to the point of hurting the target
    population.'' So despite the hype predicting a new normal in every area
    of our lives from healthcare to auto sales, we should be cautious not
    to draw too many conclusions too soon.
        The same prudence is warranted when we think about similarly hyped
    expectations regarding e-commerce in a post-COVID world. Indeed, the
    predictions at times seem over-stated considering that e-commerce only
    accounted for 16 percent of total retail sales last year. Already there
    are a number of experts arguing that ``permanent dark stores are the
    future'' with curb-side pickup and delivery replacing traditional store
    formats. Yet at least one survey suggests that recent gains in certain
    areas may not be as long lasting, including the grocery segment.
        Nevertheless, e-commerce sales were already forecasted to realize
    double-digit growth in the foreseeable future, albeit at a declining
    rate, prior to the current pandemic. Experience also suggests that
    increased penetration of online platforms during quarantine should
    favor some longer-term adoption and growth. Consequently, it seems
    reasonable to anticipate an acceleration of prevailing trends in e-
    commerce growth, though the details by segment remain somewhat
    nebulous.
        However, accelerated growth will inevitably resurface challenges in
    e-commerce supply chains that started emerging in recent years.
    Consider the significance of same day deliveries to better compete with
    the instant gratification of shopping in brick-and-mortar stores--
    something in which Amazon is investing billions of dollars. RBC Capital
    predicted that Amazon shares would rally approximately 50 percent on 1-
    day Prime shipping; this gives whole new meaning to the old adage
    ``time is money.''
        The nascent See Now, Buy Now phenomenon demands rapid order
    fulfillment. Realizing this initially relied heavily on smaller, faster
    shipments using more costly air freight and LTL. Increasingly, however,
    we see a greater reliance on smaller warehouses closer to major urban
    centers, possibly favoring traditional modes like trucking. Some even
    anticipate a resurgence in third parties like industrial distributors
    to bring inventories closer to end-customers.
        Where these redundancies already exist, they have proven successful
    during the pandemic at hardening supply chains compared to traditional
    models with just two national fulfillment centers, one in the east and
    one in the west. Glenn Gooding, president of iDrive Logistics summed it
    up best: ``In the most simplistic terms possible, the more fulfillment
    options within a network, the less the risk the network will lose core
    fulfillment capacity.'' Consequently, inventory carrying costs for
    online retailers unfortunately seem destined to rise. This poses the
    greatest challenge to just-in-time inventory management since Apple CEO
    Tim Cook's famous maxim that inventory is ``fundamentally evil.''
        Ironically, the solution to forward deploy more inventory means
    that the e-commerce supply chain will increasingly resemble traditional
    brick-and-mortar thereby narrowing some of its cost advantage. Indeed,
    what we are now observing is a convergence of the two in a blended
    format that provides both in-store shopping with convenient e-commerce
    pick-up and delivery options. So just as Amazon is acquiring
    traditional retailers like Whole Foods, traditional retailers are now
    acquiring e-commerce capabilities to leverage their existing
    storefronts. News of Target's possible acquisition of technology
    company Deliv for the batching and routing of orders after expanding
    its delivery network with the acquisition of Shipt and Grand Junction
    in 2017, exemplifies this propensity for convergence.
        The current pandemic will accelerate these trends towards a blended
    e-retail format in all probability with far-reaching implications not
    only on inventories and modal choices, but ultimately on production and
    sourcing decisions as managers try to reduce lead times in pursuit of
    more responsive supply chain models. After all there is precedence for
    retailers requiring that manufacturers contribute to, if not carry, the
    cost of the inventory through JIT fulfillment, listing fees, joint
    warehousing arrangements and the like. Ultimately expect this to shine
    a light on the cost of inventory in transit. We will delve into this in
    more detail in our next article. So be certain to follow American
    PetroLog on LinkedIn and look for it in your newsfeed.
                                     ______

                      American PetroLog, LLC--May 21, 2020

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    5 Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Remapping of Global Supply Chains
        Manufacturing has long enjoyed a privileged position in supply
    chains with an almost singular focus on efficiency. The need for
    flexibility was largely relegated downstream to logistics and
    distribution--at least until now. Production and sourcing decisions are
    garnering an ever-greater degree of interest in more recent years for a
    variety of reasons.
        First, China is less and less desired as the ``world's factory.''
    On the one hand, China's manufacturing competitiveness has been eroding
    in key areas for some time, especially for those segments in which it
    had enjoyed early success due to low labor costs. This was to be
    expected as a growing urban population inevitably led to higher wages.
    Consider that Nike and Adidas had already shifted over half of their
    footwear production to Vietnam as far back as 2010 and 2013
    respectively. On the other hand, there has been a growing realization
    that supply chains need to be more diversified in an effort to mitigate
    disruptions: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. The current
    pandemic has only served to reinforce this conviction.
        Meanwhile, China's trade practices have undermined their
    credibility abroad. Five years ago the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)
    adopted the Made in China 2025 program, which not only sought to
    quickly climb the value chain of emerging technologies (like Huawei in
    the 5G sector) but also to dominate markets at home and more
    importantly abroad. The program was even more protectionist than prior
    economic policies, explicitly instructing Chinese companies to reduce
    their reliance on foreign multinationals with date-specific targets for
    domestic content.
        After drawing criticism from the Trump administration in 2018, the
    CCP quickly dropped any official mention of the program. Unfortunately
    the Belt and Road Initiative appears to repackage many of the worrisome
    components of the prior program under a different name. This has
    attracted renewed criticism of China's predatory trade practices,
    commonly exemplified by its seizure of the Hambantota Port Development
    Project in Sri Lanka.
        China's mishandling of the current pandemic is further complicating
    the situation, as a growing number of participating countries approach
    China about renegotiating Belt and Road loans as their economies falter
    with every new COVID-19 outbreak. Misguided propaganda efforts and
    poorly conceived threats are not helping either. For how long can
    executives and boards ignore the rapidly deteriorating risk profile of
    doing business in China? So it seems inevitable that supply chain
    managers will increasingly look elsewhere whether of their own volition
    or at the urging of governments and consumers back home. Indeed, 40
    percent of Americans now do not want to buy products from China.
        Thinking ahead, potential winners and losers start to come into
    focus. First and foremost, U.S. West Coast ports are increasingly less
    attractive as the preferred gateway for imports and may even
    consolidate at some point in the future. Although they will continue to
    play an important role in U.S. trade, their best days are probably
    behind them. Attempts to accommodate megaships through investments in
    larger gantry cranes and automation will not be enough. Lower
    intermodal rates will not make the difference. The bottom line is that
    much of the utility of these ports lies in their ability to be a
    gateway for primarily Chinese imports destined to the two-thirds of the
    U.S. population living east of the Mississippi River. The U.S.
    consumer, more than China, is the most important driver in the global
    economy--and for the most part lives on the East Coast.
        Now consider some of the potential winners. Canada's Prince Rupert
    is growing share thanks to fewer sailing days to China and North Asian
    countries like Japan and Korea as well as to transcontinental rail
    networks that are increasingly penetrating south of the border, such as
    Canadian National's acquisition of the Massena Line earlier this year.
    But as freight is more likely to arrive direct via the Suez Canal the
    deeper production moves into Southeast Asian countries from India to
    Vietnam, East Coast ports, especially New York with its large local and
    regional populations, will continue to grow their share of imports.
    Interestingly, even costly and highly polluting air freight has been
    growing its share of the pie, though future availability of passenger
    planes for surge capacity seems less certain given changing attitudes
    about travel in a post-COVID world. Regardless, all three of these
    alternatives enjoy the same competitive advantage over U.S. West Coast
    ports, irrespective of trade wars and production leaving or staying in
    China--speed to markets along the U.S. East Coast.
        But what if this is just the beginning? The pandemic has brutally
    exposed the ``fragile efficiency'' of global supply chains. Economist
    Mohamed El-Erian summed it up recently saying that ``companies now will
    put greater emphasis on resilience versus efficiency.'' The situation
    is compounded by public demands that politicians take an active role in
    ensuring supply chains of national interest. Consistent with this
    growing sentiment, President Trump is mulling an executive order to
    require that vital drugs and medical devices be produced in the US.
    That said, the U.S. government response is not unique. One might even
    say that it is tame compared to Japan's decision to invest $2.2 billion
    to help Japanese companies shift production out of China.
        More importantly, as the consumer prevails on upstream interests,
    supply chains must evolve towards a more responsive pull model of
    fulfillment from a traditional push model. In a world where speed to
    market is paramount to the seemingly unassailable rise of e-commerce as
    discussed in our previous article in this series, manufacturers will
    not only better diversify sourcing but also strive to employ shorter
    and faster supply chains. They will explore strategies of regional
    sourcing and even partial reshoring of production. Heightened concerns
    regarding China will simply amplify the sense of urgency, even if some
    companies will need more time. In fact 64 percent of companies
    contacted in a recent Thomas survey indicated their likelihood to bring
    production and sourcing back to North America. Results from Bank of
    America's Global Fund Manager survey released earlier this week confirm
    their findings in the chart below.
        All this should bode well for manufacturing not only outside China
    but especially in the U.S. and neighboring countries like Mexico. It
    will further entail far-reaching implications across supply chains at
    home. In the next couple articles, we will take a closer look at what
    this might mean for domestic modes of transportation, starting with the
    trucking industry. Be certain to follow the American PetroLog page on
    LinkedIn and look for the article in your newsfeed. If you have not yet
    had a chance to read them, check out some of the other articles in this
    series.

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                      American PetroLog, LLC--May 22, 2020

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    Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Reshaping the Trucking Landscape
        The current pandemic has taken the trucking industry on a roller-
    coaster and the ride will not be over any time soon. After an initial
    surge, volumes fell off dramatically sending rates plunging to five
    year lows. Truckload linehaul data dropped to 15-year lows. ATA's Chief
    Economist Bob Costello noted in an interview with Transport Topics that
    ``the U.S. economy is likely in the midst of its deepest recession
    since the end of World War II.'' He notes that the chronic driver
    dearth has now become a surplus, illustrating the wild swing in volumes
    over the last couple months.
        Demand destruction due to the pandemic will again cull the herd of
    owner operators. Last year the trucking industry experienced a
    ``bloodbath'' due to rising insurance costs and trade tensions
    especially with China. The ongoing war of words between owner operators
    and brokers is indicative of how desperate the situation has become
    during the pandemic. Many carriers already pushed to the brink will not
    make it.
        As previously noted, most business executives expect an eventual
    return to more moderate growth. Historic government bailouts should
    enable consumers to resume spending more quickly. The market will start
    to tighten. The survivors will see rates rise and soar exponentially,
    as we again approach full capacity. That is why we must position
    ourselves now for success later, even as we just try to get through
    today. Neglect long-term strategic relationships at your own peril.
    Understanding this is critical for carriers and shippers alike.
        However, you must first understand the long-term. For starters, the
    recovery will probably be uneven. What and who brought you this far,
    may not be able to carry you in the future. In previous articles, we
    discussed how the current pandemic will likely accelerate already
    strong growth in e-commerce. Then we examined possible impacts on
    global supply chains in particular, noting a bias for speed-to-market
    that seems to favor deglobalization whether through more regional
    sourcing or even partial re-shoring of production. Again, these
    developments pre-dated the current crisis. We simply conclude that they
    will gain momentum in a fuller recovery.
        For trucking, this means that service parameters will continue to
    become more demanding. Delivery windows at major retailers like Walmart
    have already gotten tighter. But it also implies a further decline in
    the average length-of-haul that has shrunk to just 500 miles or 62
    percent of what it was in 2005. Worse still, this trend has been
    accelerating in more recent years.
        The day will come when trucking capacity expands once more--some
    things never change. But it will not simply return to where it was
    lost. For example, if more import flows keep shifting to East Coast
    ports, then the market will need less trucking capacity in the west and
    more in the east. The trucks will also tend to move shorter distances,
    since two-thirds of the U.S. population already lives east of the
    Mississippi River. Instead trucking will continue ``to pivot toward
    that last-mile need.'' To the extent that we experience a reshoring of
    production in the US, this, too, would favor shorter lengths-of-haul in
    the east. As for bulk freight trucking specifically, this development
    would be very auspicious in a resurgent economy, even as the near-term
    remains mixed with an uptick in some commodities and a downturn in
    others.
        Drivers would still be needed, just on a different route. Perhaps
    this change in traffic flows could finally help mitigate a number of
    the most vexing issues in the trucking industry. Shorter lengths-of-
    haul could lessen the impact of Hours of Service (HOS) rules and
    improve the safety profiles of carriers. If drivers are able to get
    home most nights, this would dramatically improve their lifestyle
    thereby enabling companies to recruit and retain more drivers. It may
    even help to improve their overall health, which is receiving increased
    attention from regulators.
        If the near-shoring of production to Mexico increases as long
    anticipated, then cross-border trucking must expand in kind with its
    own unique set of challenges. Indeed, manufacturing consultants at
    Kearney revealed that Mexico stands to benefit after the pandemic in
    its annual Reshoring Index released last month. Such a development may
    even partially reverse some of the overall decline in lengths-of-haul.
        Be it a matter of months or years, truck rates will eventually turn
    higher as capacity will have fallen too far to support a fuller
    recovery. Ironically, the final HOS ruling will probably make things
    worse in the near-term by generating additional capacity. Know that the
    longer it takes the trucking market to turn, the sharper the rebound.
    At that point shippers will be looking for alternatives like the
    railroads. In the next article, we will examine what all this may mean
    for railroads and more importantly how they are likely to respond. So
    be certain to follow American PetroLog on LinkedIn and look for it in
    your newsfeed. In the meantime, be certain to check out some of the
    other articles in this series.
                                     ______

                      American PetroLog, LLC--May 26, 2020

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    Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Less Intermodal, More Third-Party Rail
            Partnerships
        ``Every major industry was once a growth industry. But some that
    are now riding a wave of growth enthusiasm are very much in the shadow
    of decline.'' Such is the unsettling introduction to Harvard Business
    School professor Theodore Levitt's 1960 paper simply entitled Marketing
    Myopia. Levitt quickly identified the railroad industry as his poster
    child for marketing myopia adding that ``they let others take customers
    away from them because they assumed themselves to be in the railroad
    business rather than in the transportation business.'' This is
    particularly noteworthy in the current context.
        On the one hand, the adoption of Hunter Harrison's Precision
    Scheduled Railroading (PSR) model as the industry standard invites a
    whole new level of scrutiny. Critics argue that operational
    effectiveness is measured primarily in short-term financial
    performance, no longer customer satisfaction. Ironically, this is
    happening at the same time that the nearly 200 CEO's of the Business
    Roundtable issued a statement saying that shareholder value is no
    longer their main objective. Railroad analyst Tony Hatch regularly
    derides the prevailing group-think as the ``Cult of OR,'' a measure
    comparing operating expenses to revenue.
        Such criticism is directed as much at investors as it is at the
    railroads themselves. After all, Wall Street--not customers and
    railroad executives--established PSR as the industry standard either
    through activist investors or risk of the same. Indeed, the only
    railroad not to have formally adopted the PSR operating model is Warren
    Buffet's privately held BNSF. David Nahass of
        RailwayAge echoed this sentiment when he recently asked, ``By
    applying outsized multiples to railroad stocks, is Wall Street
    unintentionally `preventing' the railroads from growing their franchise
    and increasing loadings--growing the top line--in pursuit of the lowest
    OR?''
        On the other hand, the pandemic has dramatically hit already
    struggling rail volumes, despite record-setting financial performance.
    At last reading, total U.S. year-to-date traffic was down 12.5 percent
    to nearly 9.1 million carloads and intermodal units. In fact, last week
    it was reported that U.S. weekly carloads had declined over 30 percent,
    their largest percentage decline ever since AAR began collecting rail
    volume data in 1988. The need to stay close to customers is greatest at
    times like these. Unfortunately, this month railroads and their
    customers are instead squaring off in front of the Surface
    Transportation Board over demurrage and other supplemental charges. At
    the root of the problem is the pressure on railroads to focus
    increasingly on more profitable linehaul movements while taking an up-
    or-out approach to lower margin value-added services and operations on
    which many shippers have come to rely.
        Understanding these dynamics is critical to evaluating how the
    railroads will respond to supply chain challenges in a post-COVID
    world, as laid out in previous articles.
        For example, intermodal rail service with its emphasis on finished
    goods may very well follow coal into a secular downturn of sorts,
    particularly in the US. Recall from our previous article that two-
    thirds of the U.S. population lives east of the Mississippi River, and
    U.S. West Coast ports have historically been the best way to get there
    from China. As production leaves China, U.S. West Coast ports will lose
    share. Meanwhile, what remains of Chinese exports will continue to
    divert to growing Canadian ports to the extent possible, thanks to
    fewer sailing days. That said, intermodal volumes from south of the
    border should grow, if Mexico can capitalize on near-shore production
    trends. U.S. East Coast ports are also likely to see an increase in
    intermodal traffic destined for the American heartland, as production
    shifts deeper into Southeast Asia or even relocates regionally. The
    potential for the reshoring of some U.S. manufacturing should further
    bolster domestic intermodal. All of this would significantly reshape
    the intermodal landscape for years to come.
        As industry observer Larry Gross of Gross Transportation Consulting
    recently observed, this ``dispersal'' of freight flows has the
    potential to upend intermodal supply chains reliant on lane volume
    density. He writes, ``The current intermodal focus on running the
    simplest possible network of the largest trains will also need to
    change in the years to come in order to adapt to this new reality.''
    Unfortunately, the net effect on intermodal rail volumes is likely to
    be negative so long as short-haul intermodal remains elusive. The fact
    is that most people live near the coasts and so near the ports with
    Chicagoland being the main exception. Just think of where all the
    lights are in a satellite image of the U.S. at night. Trucks have
    always enjoyed a competitive advantage in shorter lengths-of-haul for
    finished goods. Meanwhile, intermodal networks have curtailed service
    lanes and shuttered terminals with the PSR roll-out. Unlike other
    countries such as Australia, there simply is not the same appetite of
    years past at U.S. railroads to invest in a short-haul solution for a
    segment with less compelling margins.
        More promising are the prospects for traditional carload service.
    Any increase in manufacturing in the U.S. or neighboring countries
    should generate incremental bulk shipments. Unlike finished goods, dry
    and liquid bulk shipments often favor rail transportation. (Though
    Oliver Wyman's Rod Case warns that potential changes in technology
    could swing the competitive advantage to truck, stunting carload growth
    through 2045.) Rail is more suitable than truck for such commodities in
    terms of modal efficiency and safety. Rail is also more flexible than
    barge and pipeline. Furthermore, mother nature has the first word in
    supply chain design for these commodities, from crops and trees to
    aggregates and petroleum products. This dictates not only length-of-
    haul but also the need for significant capacity often in remote places.
    More interestingly, carload linehaul service seems to benefit most in
    the PSR model.
        Even so, other aspects of the PSR model pose challenges to
    capitalizing on this opportunity. The Surface Transportation Board
    review of demurrage and other supplemental charges specifically regard
    carload policies affecting the overall cost of rail service, not to
    mention ease of doing business. As railroads focus increasingly on more
    profitable linehaul, similar issues may arise with other value-added
    operations and services.
        Consider the willingness of railroads to spin-off portions of their
    network to Short Lines. These smaller rail segments typically lack the
    density necessary to deliver the same asset utilization as the ``core''
    network. In this way, the railroads retain more profitable linehaul
    operations while outsourcing the complexity and inefficiencies of local
    service in low density rail branches.
        We may see a similar evolution in value-added logistics services in
    the moment that they no longer generate sufficiently attractive
    returns. Union Pacific's recent decision to close its Rotterdam
    warehouse and shipping center acquired in 2017, driven by a sharp
    decline in demand for fresh produce during the pandemic, is one such
    example. Perhaps Canadian Pacific's announcement last year to enlist
    the support of a local transload provider at their railyard in Montreal
    suggests a more sustainable path forward.
        Despite the impressive financial results of the PSR model, service
    defined by Hunter as ``doing what we say we'll do'' fails to ask what
    customers need and want. Levitt certainly would not be impressed. Yet
    collaborations like these with Short Lines and other third-party
    providers may indicate a way to reconcile PSR demands with market
    demands--at least in part. Expect these strategic partnerships to
    figure ever more prominently in the future.
        Admittedly none of this is new. As in previous articles, we simply
    conclude that certain prevailing supply chain trends prior to the
    pandemic are likely to gain momentum in a post-COVID world and then
    give our perspective on what that means going forward. In our next and
    final article, we will instead consider still emerging technologies in
    manufacturing and how they might reinforce these supply chain trends
    through a more radical disruption of production planning. Be certain to
    like the American PetroLog page on LinkedIn and look for the article in
    your newsfeed. We also invite you to read the other articles in this
    series.
                                     ______

                      American PetroLog, LLC--May 29, 2020

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

    Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Industry 4.0 & the Rise of Distributed
            Manufacturing
        Thus far in the course of this six-part series, we have examined
    four supply chain trends that are likely to prevail in a post-COVID
    world. Let us quickly review them here:

      1.  The need for speed in e-commerce is fast evolving towards more
            distributed warehousing closer to consumers, suggesting an
            increase in forward deployed inventory carrying costs.

      2.  As sourcing and production diversify away from China, U.S. West
            Coast ports will lose share to both U.S. East Coast and
            Canadian ports. More importantly, the need for shorter, faster
            supply chains encourages near-shoring of production in Mexico
            and elsewhere in this hemisphere, as well as the re-shoring of
            production in the US.

      3.  All this will ultimately reshape traffic flows and have a
            dramatic impact on domestic modes of transportation. Expect an
            increase in shorter lengths-of-haul off the East Coast for
            trucking along with continued emphasis on the last-mile.

      4.  Similarly, railroads will experience significant volume declines
            in intermodal potentially offset by an increase in carload
            volumes. Third party partnerships will be critical to their
            capitalizing on the opportunity given constraints imposed by
            the PSR operating model.

        What all of these trends have in common is that they were already
    emerging prior to the current pandemic. That is what makes them so
    compelling. Yet author and business executive Seth Godin would remind
    us that ``Change is never perfect. Change means reinvention, and until
    something is reinvented, we have no idea what the spec is.''
        Perhaps the greatest challenge to emerge as a result of these four
    trends would be a begrudging rise in inventories. Indeed, it seems to
    be as unassailable as the rise of e-commerce itself. As already
    anticipated, online retailers will again push as much of this cost as
    possible onto manufacturers. More difficult still, the current
    generation of business leaders that rose through the ranks thanks to
    their embrace of just-in-time inventory management will struggle to
    adapt to this new normal. Thus far, they have been able to stomach
    costly and highly polluting air freight to meet the ever-greater
    demands of e-commerce while maintaining longer supply chains.
    Nevertheless, in recent years air freight has started to struggle to
    keep pace.
        Out of this necessity will eventually come our fifth and final
    supply chain trend likely to emerge after the current pandemic:
    distributed manufacturing. This form of decentralized manufacturing
    typically entails small-scale production closer to end consumers that
    is capable of churning out smaller batch quantities on demand. The
    long-term consequences for the manufacturing sector seem somewhat
    analogous to the impact of ``mini-mills'' on the domestic steel
    industry, which catapulted Nucor to a leadership position that it still
    holds today. Just as the invention of the electric-arc furnace was
    critical in the transformation of the steel industry, technology will
    be crucial to the evolution towards distributed manufacturing.
        Indeed, Deloitte refers to it as the fourth industrial revolution
    or more simply Industry 4.0. Just do not look for a silver bullet. This
    vision relies on complex, tailored systems of interconnected digital
    and physical technologies. Value is created by combining real-time
    insights from big data, cloud computing and the Internet of Things with
    the small-scale efficiencies of robotics, automation and 3D printing.
        The textile sector in particular is worth considering as this
    transformation unfolds. Thanks to both a heavy reliance on
    manufacturing and strong customer engagement with their products, these
    industries frequently serve as harbingers of trends to come. Indeed,
    textile industries have typically been among the early movers ever
    since the first industrial revolution. Their manufacturers were among
    the first to move production off-shore eventually finding their way to
    China. Then they were among the first to leave China for other
    countries like Vietnam. Even in the vast world of e-commerce, nowhere
    is the need for speed greater than with the emergence of the See Now,
    Buy Now phenomenon that has upended the way the fashion industry
    operates--and generated many inventory woes in the process.
        The smaller scale of distributed manufacturing operations brings
    production closer to end-consumers. Not only does this cut down on the
    cost of inventories, but also helps to reduce and optimize
    transportation costs across the supply chain. After all, boxes of
    finished goods often contain a lot of air. Just think about a truck
    full of sneakers. However, distributed manufacturing would favor more
    shipments of bulk commodities and intermediate goods in lieu of
    finished products. After all, the final product can then be created or
    assembled just around the block.
        The impact on supply chain costs will be akin to the shrinking of
    electronics and the reduced water content of detergents and household
    cleaners. Once these technologies and systems of technologies come of
    age, one could image a world of See Now, Buy Now . . . Produce Now.
        Manufactures are already getting an early glimpse of the potential
    value of product customization made possible by better data combined
    with better technology. Nike is a great case in this regard starting
    with the launch of NikeID in 2000. The program has since expanded from
    being offered only online to over 100 in-store ``studios'' worldwide.
    Last year Nike rebranded the initiative as Nike by You in an effort to
    better communicate this notion of collaborative product development,
    helping to grow e-commerce sales by 42 percent in its first fiscal
    quarter. Daniel Edmundson, Strategy Director at Gretel, sums up the
    trend as such: ``The next generation of consumers is setting a high bar
    for customization to express all facets of their identity and
    individuality.''
        Again the textile sector is at the forefront of this still emerging
    trend, though you can already formulate your own bespoke fragrance and
    cosmetics to complement your personalized clothes and sneakers.
    Meanwhile, the practical potential of Industry 4.0 is also fast
    emerging in other sectors, like healthcare where these technology
    systems are currently being leveraged for everything from personalized
    implants and prosthetics to workable models of tumors and organs for
    tailored treatments.
        To a large extent, the advent of distributed manufacturing will be
    symbiotic with that of the other four trends. Digital e-commerce
    platforms play a crucial role in generating data insights critical to
    developing distributed manufacturing systems, in turn helping to drive
    further penetration and growth for online retailers. Whether producing
    or simply assembling the product closer to the consumer, distributed
    manufacturing takes the concept of faster, shorter supply chains to a
    whole new level. Consequently, the trucking industry will continue to
    focus on the last-mile, whereas railroads and their strategic third-
    party partners will instead focus more on carload shipments of dry and
    liquid bulk commodities and intermediate products.
        Although private enterprise and national policies will be important
    to realizing the Industry 4.0 revolution, local governments and
    organizations must be willing to play a vital role in order to ensure
    its success. After all, the genius of distributed manufacturing is
    precisely the fact that it is local. The first forays will likely occur
    in the largest urban centers.
        Watch for New York City to be an early winner. In addition to a
    large local and regional population of consumers, city government is
    already actively promoting distributed manufacturing to support local
    industries and entrepreneurs. The NY Economic Development Corporation
    frames the opportunity as follows: ``Technological advances and new
    ways of doing business are shaping a new manufacturing system, with a
    focus on smaller, more flexible production.'' Meanwhile, the Port
    Authority of New York and New Jersey has actively worked to ensure that
    the city's infrastructure satisfies both short and long-term needs. On
    the one hand, investments like raising the Bayonne Bridge to
    accommodate larger ocean carriers have proven critical to facilitating
    the shift in imports to the U.S. East Coast. On the other hand, recent
    upgrades to NYNJ Rail's carfloat operations and the opening of a new
    transload site right in the heart of Brooklyn at the 65th Street
    Railyard, guarantee that the local infrastructure can efficiently serve
    manufacturers in the big city. Not only do investments like these
    support existing industries in areas like the North Brooklyn Industrial
    Business Zone, but also lay the foundation for future growth through
    distributed manufacturing.
        In closing, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the
    immense human and economic suffering caused by the pandemic.
    Specifically, New York City is among the hardest hit. The devastation
    in the Big Apple has captured the attention of the Nation and the
    world. At times uncertainty about the future abounds. As one New York
    Post opinion writer wrote earlier this week, ``NYC's urban model faces
    existential crisis in post-pandemic world.''
        Yet as we reflect on the implications of these five post-COVID
    supply chain trends identified in this six-part series, we cannot help
    but to think that the city's best days are still ahead. New York, like
    many urban centers, is well positioned to capitalize on these five
    post-COVID supply chain trends. Rest assured that the impact of these
    trends is more enduring than that of the virus.
                                     ______

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        The Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Zerzan.

                      STATEMENT OF GREGORY ZERZAN,

                     NOMINEE TO BE GENERAL COUNSEL,

               UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

        Mr. Zerzan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My great fear that
    introductions would be done in alphabetical order has been
    realized.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Cantwell, and
    Members of the Committee for allowing me to appear before you
    today. I am Greg Zerzan, and I have been nominated for the
    position of General Counsel of the Department of
    Transportation.
        To begin, I would like to thank President Trump for putting
    his faith in me by nominating me for this position. I was born
    in Portland, Oregon, as the youngest child of Charles and Joan
    Zerzan. My parents were both members of the greatest generation
    who lived through the Great Depression, the Second World War,
    and the Cold War. Dad fought in the China-Burma-India theater
    of the war; and mom served as a volunteer plane spotter while
    working on ranches in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
        My parents met in college after dad returned from the
    fighting. At the end of their wedding ceremony in Milwaukee,
    Wisconsin, where dad was attending medical school, the priest
    gave my parents the standard injunction to be fruitful. Go
    forth and multiply. A task they took to with enthusiasm and
    alacrity, going on to have 12 children, mostly on army bases
    across America.
        I am privileged to be the youngest of those 12. My parents
    taught us that God, family, and country are the three great
    causes to which one might profitably dedicate one's life. They
    also taught us that the things that unite us are far more
    important than the things that divide us.
        One of my earliest political memories was my father's
    unbridled enthusiasm for Governor Ronald Reagan's campaign for
    the presidency in 1980. And in equal measure his frustration
    that he could not convince my mom not to vote to reelect
    President Carter, whom, she said seemed like an honorable man.
    I mentioned my parents because they taught us that it was
    important, indeed necessary, to work together even when we
    disagree.
        It is my hope that if I am so fortunate as to be confirmed,
    I will bring these lessons with me to the Department. If I am
    so fortunate as to be confirmed, I promise I will do my best to
    live out the values my parents taught us, and to work with you
    with respect and humility, even if there are sincere policy
    disagreements.
        Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I would like to
    thank you for your service to this country. I would like to
    thank Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, for allowing me to serve
    at the Department these last 6 months. I would like to thank
    the excellent, professional, career civil servants with whom I
    have had the privilege of serving now in three administrations.
    I can say with no false modesty that to the extent I have
    enjoyed any professional success, it is in large measure
    because of our hardworking career Federal workforce.
        Last, and most importantly, Mr. Chairman, I would like to
    thank my beautiful wife, Shannon. She made me a Texan, and a
    father to our boys, Charlie and George. No matter whatever else
    happens in my life, I will consider myself a success for having
    convinced her to marry me.
        Thank you all very much for this opportunity.
        [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
    Zerzan follow:]

      Prepared Statement of Gregory Zerzan, Nominee for General Counsel,
                       U.S. Department of Transportation
        Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Cantwell and Members of
    the Committee, and thank you for allowing me to appear before you
    today. My name is Greg Zerzan and I have been nominated for the
    position of General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
        To begin, I would like to thank President Trump for placing his
    faith in me by nominating me for this position.
        I was born in Portland, Oregon, as the youngest child of Charles
    and Joan Zerzan.\1\ My parents were both members of the Greatest
    Generation, who lived through the Great Depression, the Second World
    War, and the Cold War. Dad fought in the China-Burma-India theater of
    the second world war; Mom served as a volunteer plane spotter while
    working on ranches in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \1\ The Honorable Greg Walden graciously eulogized my parents in
    the Congressional Record, which can be found here (Tribute to Dr.
    Charles Joseph Zerzan Jr., Congressional Record, Volume 154 Issue 90
    (Tuesday, June 3, 2008) and here (Commemorating the Life of Joan
    Margaret Kathan Zerzan Congressional Record, Volume 159 Issue 36
    (Wednesday, March 13, 2013)
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        My parents met in college after Dad returned from the fighting. At
    the end of their wedding ceremony in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Dad
    was attending medical school, the priest gave my parents the standard
    injunction to ``be fruitful; go forth, and multiply.'' My parents took
    to this task with enthusiasm and alacrity, going on to have 12 children
    mostly on Army bases across America. I am the last and youngest of
    these 12.
        My parents taught us that God, family and country are the three
    great causes to which one might profitably dedicate one's life. They
    also taught us that the things that unite us are far more important
    than those that divide us. One of my earliest political memories was my
    Dad's unbridled enthusiasm for Ronald Reagan during the 1980 campaign,
    and in equal measure, his frustration that he could not dissuade my Mom
    from voting for President Carter, who, she said, seemed like an
    honorable man.
        I mention my parents because they taught us that it is important to
    disagree without being disagreeable. Our family was a large, diverse
    organization and my parents taught us that it was possible, indeed,
    necessary, to work together even when we disagreed. It is my hope, if I
    am so fortunate as to be confirmed, that I will bring these lessons
    with me to the Department. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I
    promise I will do my best to live out the values my parents taught us,
    and to work with you all with respect and humility, even if there are
    sincere policy disagreements.
        Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, if I may I would like to
    close by thanking you for your service to our country. I would like to
    thank Interior Secretary Burgum for having put his faith in me these
    last several months. I would like to thank the excellent, professional
    career civil servants with whom I have now had the privilege of serving
    in three Presidential Administrations--it is with no false modesty that
    I can say that, to the extent I have enjoyed any professional success,
    it is because of the hard working, dedicated, patriotic members of our
    career civil service.
        Lastly and most importantly, Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my
    beautiful wife, Shannon. She made me a Texan and a father, to our two
    sons, Charlie and George. No matter whatever else happens in my life I
    will consider myself a success for having somehow convinced her to
    marry me.
        Thank you all very much for this opportunity.
                                     ______

                          a. biographical information
        1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Gregory Peter
    Zerzan.
        2. Position to which nominated: General Counsel, USDOT.
        3. Date of Nomination: June 3, 2025.
        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: Portland, Oregon USA.
        6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
    spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your
    children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
        Shannon Zerzan
        7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not
    you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the
    institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of
    the degree.

            Willamette University, BA--Political Science, May 1993
            Willamette University, JD, May 1996

        8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,
    name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all
    management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
    the position for which you are nominated. (Management Jobs are denoted
    with as asterisk; Please note dates are approximate)

            Law Clerk:
            Kelly Clark, May 1994-March 1995

            Legislative Assistant and District Office Assistant:
            Congressman Jim Bunn, June 1995-March 1996

            Attorney:
            Kell Alterman and Runstein, May 1996-September 1996
            U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, September 1996-May 2000
            Dechert Price and Rhoads, May 2000-August 2000
            House Committee on Banking/Financial Services--August 2000-
            March 2003

            Deputy Assistant Secretary*:
            U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 2003-July 2005

            Chief of Strategy:
            Thetus Corporation, September 2005-February 2006

            Counsel and Head of Global Public Policy*:
            International Swaps and Derivatives Association, March 2006-
            November 2009

            Director:
            Koch Companies Private Sector, March 2010-July 2017

            Attorney:
            House Committee on Energy and Commerce, September 2017-March
            2019
            U.S. Department of the Interior*, March 2019-January 2021
            Jordan Ramis* PC, April 2021-June 2022
            General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer*: encore
            Energy Corp, July 2022-November 2023

            Attorney:
            Fisher Phillips LLP, May 2024-January 2025
            U.S. Department of the Interior*, February 2025 to present

        9. Attach a copy of your resume. Please see a copy of my current
    resume at attachment A.
        10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
    service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
    than those listed above after 18 years of age. N/A.
        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 (Please note, dates are approximate).

            Board Member, Commodity Markets Council (2016-2017)

            Board Member, CureSMA ((2014-2017)

            Board Member, Securities Investor Protection Corporation (2005)

            Board Member, Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (2005)

            Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, encore Energy
            Corp (2022-2023)

        12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or
    currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,
    political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously
    affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization
    (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.

            Portland, Oregon toastmasters club, 1995 to present, membership
            restricted to males
            Sigma Chi Fraternity, 1989 to present, membership restricted to
            males

        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. N/A
        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.

            Volunteer, Donald J Trump for President, 2016-2020-2024

        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.
        Please see Appendix D.
        16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
    society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
    for outstanding service or achievements.

            Distinguished Service Award, U.S. Treasury, 2005

        17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,
    Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,
    individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    publication when available.
        I have written and published extensively throughout my professional
    career. For a good faith attempt to gather these records please see
    Appendix B.
        18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,
    PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for
    which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when
    possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the
    speech or presentation when available. N/A
        19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten
    years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and
    television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position
    for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to
    each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a
    digital copy of the statement when available.

            They have only themselves to blame for high prices

            Energy prices are a result of policies: Former acting assistant
            treasury secretary

            Government Regulation Lessons Learned and the Path Forward

            Will gas stoves prevail in the long run?

            The Biden admin has conducted an unprecedented war on fossil
            fuels: Greg Zerzan

            Americans energy companies don't have oil and gas to export:
            Greg Zerzan

            Klamath irrigators applaud new guidance on Endangered Species
            Act

            Interior Department deals new setbacks to offshore wind

            Interior grounds some migratory bird protections

            Interior suspends Biden-era legal opinions

            Trump Administration Executive Order Sets Course for U.S.
            Mineral Production and Supply Chain Resilience

        20. 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 full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',
    including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, 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.

            Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/share/16d1a2yVQp/
            X--https://x.com/gzerzan?t=yGP-0-kjOBIwcHPj10licg&s=09

        21. 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, committee, and subject
    matter of each testimony.

            ``Cleaning Up Cryptocurrency: The Energy Impacts of
            Blockchain,'' House Committee on Energy and Commerce, January
            20, 2022

            Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Policy, House
            Committee on Agriculture, June 2, 2004

            Commodity Exchange Act Policy, House Committee on Agriculture,
            September 26, 2007

            Commodity Exchange Act Policy, House Committee on Agriculture,
            July 10, 2008

        22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
    operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation
    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 been privileged to serve in senior roles in both the public
    and private sector and have worked for or with the Federal government
    for most of my career. It has been my honor to work with career Federal
    civil servants and witness firsthand their commitment and dedication to
    fulfilling the mission of their agency and the U.S. government. I hope
    to use this experience to help the Department fulfill its statutory
    purpose as mandated by Congress, pursuant to the policy direction of
    President Trump and Secretary Duffy.
        23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
    ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper
    management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in
    managing a large organization?
        If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I believe it will be my
    responsibility to comply with all laws, rules, regulations and best
    ethical practices. I will work with agency leadership and the career
    Federal workforce to help ensure departmental compliance with the same.
    I have held senior roles in both the Federal government as well as the
    private sector, including my current duties as acting Solicitor of the
    Department of the Interior, which has helped me to gain a firm
    understanding of the needs of managing a Federal agency legal
    department.
        24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
    department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?
        As I have not been working at the Department, I follow the lead of
    Secretary Duffy as stated in his response to this question wherein he
    identified the areas of Aviation Safety and Infrastructure,
    Infrastructure Development and Management, and Regulation of Emerging
    Transportation Technologies as the three top issues facing the
    Department. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I would work to
    support the Secretary in his efforts to remove regulatory barriers to
    innovation while continuing to ensure safety and security across
    transportation modes.
                       b. potential conflicts of interest
        1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
    agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
    clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
    accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.
        I will continue to receive health insurance coverage from my former
    employer, encore Energy Corp, until December 1, 2025.
        I also will continue to participate in a defined benefit plan with
    my former employer, Koch Industries.
        These arrangements are fully described in Part 3 of my Public
    Financial Disclosure Report.
        2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
    to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
    association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,
    please explain. No.
        3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
    relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
    the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will
    resolve each potential conflict of interest.
        In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
    the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
    Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify any potential conflicts
    of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will continue to be
    resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I
    have entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics
    Official and that 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 Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
    Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify any potential conflicts
    of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will continue to be
    resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I
    have entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics
    Official and that 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 Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
    Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify any potential conflicts
    of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will continue to be
    resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I
    have entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics
    Official and that 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.
        Koch Companies Public Sector, registered lobbyist, 2010-2016
    (approx.)
                                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, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary
    committee, or other professional group? No.
        If yes:

      a.  Provide the name of the court, 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.
        N/A
        2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
    any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
    State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for
    a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. N/A
        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. N/A
        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.
        N/A
        5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
    assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,
    race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain. N/A
        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/commission/
    corporation complies with deadlines for information set by
    congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information
    from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in
    the minority?
        Yes, I will respond to such requests for information as
    appropriate.
        2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/
    corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and
    whistleblowers 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, I will respond to the Committee's requests as appropriate.
        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.
                                     ______

                                   Appendix A
                            Resume of Gregory Zerzan
    U.S. GOVERNMENT
    U.S. Department of the Interior (March 2019-January 2021; February 2025
    to present)

    Senior Advisor, Acting Solicitor and Principal Deputy Solicitor
    Managing legal officer for a Federal agency focused on implementing
    President Trump's energy dominance agenda through project development,
    managing natural resources and reforming environmental policy.

    United States House of Representatives, Committees on Financial
    Services, Agriculture and Energy & Commerce (Variously, 2000-2019)
    Senior Counsel
    Provided counsel to Members of Congress for congressional committees
    having jurisdiction in the areas of financial policy, energy,
    technology and natural resources.

    U.S. Department of the Treasury (March 2003-July 2005)
    Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary
    Policymaking official for financial markets, banking and GSEs.
    PRIVATE SECTOR
    Fisher Phillips, Dallas, TX and Washington, D.C. (May 2024-January
    2025)
    Of Counsel and Senior Advisor
    Legal practice at multinational law firm.

    enCore Energy Corp., Dallas, TX (July 2022-December 2023)
    Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel
    Managed legal and corporate affairs for NYSE-listed energy company.

    Jordan Ramis LLC, Portland, Oregon/Washington, D.C. (April 2021-June
    2022)
    Shareholder
    Partner at Pacific Northwest law firm focused on natural resources,
    energy, technology and finance.

    Koch Industries (March 2010-July 2017)
    Director for Finance and Trading
    Managed matters related to government affairs and commodity trading
    compliance

    International Swaps and Derivatives Association (March 2006-November
    2009)
    Head of Global Public Policy and Counsel
    Managed government affairs for international financial services trade
    association.
    EDUCATION
    Juris Doctorate, Willamette University College of Law Bachelor of Arts,
    Willamette University
    BAR ADMISSIONS
    Oregon and District of Columbia
                                     ______

                                   APPENDIX B
    Corporate Transparency Act AGAIN Blocked Nationwide--All Filing
    Deadlines Once Again Suspended as of December 26 | JD Supra

    Court Revives Corporate Transparency Act and Employers Have New January
    13 Reporting Deadline: 3 Things Employers Need to Do | JD Supra

    3 Things Employers Need to Know About the Recent Corporate Transparency
    Act Injunction | JD Supra

    3 Things Employers Need to Know As Congress Returns from Summer Recess
    | JD Supra

    White House Takes Aim at Inefficient Business Practices Through ``Time
    Is Money'' Initiative: 5 Things Employers Should Do | JD Supra

    3 Things Employers Need to Know About the Congressional Review Act and
    the Upcoming Elections | JD Supra

    FP Snapshot on Manufacturing Industry: New Program Encouraging
    Corporate Whistleblowing Puts Manufacturers on Notice | JD Supra

    Ignoring BRICS Expansion Threatens America's Economic Security To Fight
    Climate Change, Stop Discouraging American Innovation Why Governments
    Hate Cryptocurrency

    West Coast Offshore Wind Closer to Becoming a Reality

    Why Carbon Pricing Is Ultimately a Tax On Everything

    Biden's Energy Policies Harm U.S. Producers While Helping America's
    Rivals Carbon pricing is an economic bomb and a tax on everything

    Yellen Can't Save the Polar Bears

    More Government Heal Care Means A Smaller U.S. Military

    Will Walmart Pay for the Next Bailout? Wall Street Reform Hits Main
    Street The Emerging Threat of BRICS

    Dollar is a National Security Issue Zombieland

    Do Your Employees Get Time Off to Vote? A State-By-State Guide for
    Employers

    How Will the Election and Recent Legislative Trends Impact Tipped
    Wages?

    Crypto Needs a Section 230

    China's `Digital Yuan' and the Race for a Global Digital Currency
                                     ______

                                   Appendix D

    09-19-2022               $1,000   ABBOTT, GREG (R)    TX
    10-18-2022                 $500   Patrick McHenry     Federal
                                       (R)
    10-05-2022                 $500   Mike Lee (R)        Federal
    02-05-2021               $1,000   PULLIAM, STAN (R)   OR
    06-30-2021                 $500   Patrick McHenry     Federal
                                       (R)
    09-14-2021                 $500   PULLIAM, STAN (R)   OR
    09-16-2022               $1,000   DRAZAN, CHRISTINE   OR
                                       (R)
    09-30-2023               $1,000   Bill Huizenga (R)   Federal
    06-15-2023                 $500   Bryan Steil (R)     Federal
    06-30-2024               $1,500   Bill Huizenga (R)   Federal
    09-30-2023                 $500   Jeff Duncan (R)     Federal
    08-18-2022                 $250   Lori Chavez-        Federal
                                       Deremer (R)
    11-15-2021               $1,000   Bill Huizenga (R)   Federal
    02-09-2022               $1,500   Bill Huizenga (R)   Federal
    06-30-2021                 $500   Cathy McMorris      Federal
                                       Rodgers (R)
    04-04-2022                 $500   Cathy McMorris      Federal
                                       Rodgers (R)
    06-13-2023                 $500   Cliff Bentz (R)     Federal
    06-29-2024                 $500   Cliff Bentz (R)     Federal
    07-26-2024                $2500   BMW Victory         Federal
                                       Committee

                                     ______

      Addendum to the questionnaire submitted to the Senate Committee on
    Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 119th Congress by Gregory Zerzan
        Please find additional information as requested by Oversight and
    Investigations Minority Staff:

        A.6--Please specify whether Mr. Zerzan's spouse is employed. My
    spouse is not employed.
        A.7--Please specify the dates Mr. Zerzan attended Willamette
    University for both his JD and bachelor's degree.
        I attended Willamette University from August 1989 until May 1993.
        I attended Willamette University College of Law from August 1993
    until May 1996.
        A.8--Please provide Mr. Zerzan's job title in each role as
    requested in the questionnaire.

            (Dates are approximate)

            Law Clerk, Kelly Clark, May 1994-March 1995

            Legislative Assistant and District Office Assistant,
            Congressman Jim Bunn, June 1995-March 1996

            Associate, Kell Alterman and Runstein, May 1997-September 1997

            Counsel, U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, September 1997-
            May 2000

            Associate, Dechert Price and Rhoads, May 2000-August 2000

            Counsel, House Committee on Banking/Financial Services--August
            2000-March 2003

            Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury,
            March 2003-July 2005

            Chief of Strategy, Thetus Corporation, September 2005-February
            2006

            Counsel and Head of Global Public Policy, International Swaps
            and Derivatives Association, March 2006-November 2009

            Director, Koch Companies Private Sector, March 2010-July 2017

            Counsel, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, September
            2017-March 2019

            Deputy Solicitor and Principal Deputy Solicitor, U.S.
            Department of the Interior, March 2019-January 2021

            Shareholder, Jordan Ramis PC, April 2021-June 2022

            General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative
            Officer, encore Energy Corp, July 2022-November 2023

            Of Counsel, Fisher Phillips LLP, May 2024-January 2025

            Counselor to the Secretary and Principal Deputy Solicitor, U.S.
            Department of the Interior, February 2025 to present

        A.14--Mr. Zerzan identified he was a volunteer on the 2016, 2020,
    and 2024 presidential campaigns for Donald Trump. Please identify
    responsibilities held as requested in the questionnaire.

            Volunteer: 2016--phone banking

            Volunteer: 2020--ballot count monitor

            Volunteer: 2024--election day counseling

        C.1--Sub-questions a-d were removed. Please revise and submit a
    supplemental as appropriate.

      a.  Provide the name of the court, 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.
        None

        The Chairman. Well, I commend your wife on her excellent
    judgment making you a Texan.
        All right. Ms. Oz, we know that human error is the leading
    cause of car crashes. In your judgment, how close are we to a
    world where AV technology can significantly reduce traffic
    fatalities, and what do you see as the biggest obstacle to that
    happening?
        Ms. Oz. Senator Cruz, thank you very much for that critical
    question, and it is one that keeps most of us up at night. We
    have the ability to bring forward a Federal regulatory
    environment that will not only create clear consistent
    direction for the industry, but also enable us to surface above
    the deaths that we have had that are completely solvable. AV
    technology, and specifically safe self-driving vehicles and
    robotic technology has proven to be safer by all metrics shown
    in the public records. And so it is my responsibility, if
    confirmed, to ensure that we bring that to the forefront of
    this discussion.
        The Chairman. The U.S. right now lacks a Federal framework
    for AVs. Our regulatory framework is fragmented with different
    rules deployed in each state. Meanwhile, countries like Germany
    and China have national-level coordination in testing,
    deployment, and product liability. How could the U.S. lose its
    competitive edge to other countries in advancing this tech if
    the continued fractured system remains?
        Ms. Oz. The fractured system, Senator and Committee, is due
    to the fact that we have different regulatory standards across
    different states. And you can imagine, your state in
    particular, is pretty laissez-faire about it. But if you go to
    California----
        The Chairman. We tend to be that way about a lot.
        [Laughter.]
        Ms. Oz.--if you go to California, you have driving permit
    requirements, data requirements, which are not bad, but they
    have to be some degree standardized. So my biggest concern is,
    China is proving to be a very healthy competitor in this area.
    I do not think of them as an enemy as much as I think of them
    as an adversary or a competitor that has taken a very strong
    mandate to making this a strategic, an economic decision to
    ensuring that--and as well as existential to their livelihood,
    to ensuring that AV technology gets on the roads in a very fast
    way.
        They are building this technology orders of magnitude
    faster than we are, and have commanded now the 2025 mandate to
    use local chips on all robotaxis. And if they have 10,000
    robotaxis right now driving, that means you can imagine the
    number of chips they are going to be starting to build up. So
    as we think about the foundational expertise in this country
    and the technology we built here, we need to make sure that our
    stack gets built on U.S. chips. And in that respect, I would be
    very interested in the Made-in-America approach and ensuring
    that we protect that along the way. Thank you.
        The Chairman. Mr. Zerzan, the Biden-Buttigieg DOT failed to
    replace the outdated air traffic control system, but they
    spent, it was just reported, roughly $80 billion on DEI grants
    and extraneous environmental goals. If confirmed, how would
    you, from a legal standpoint, help DOT refocus on its core
    safety mission, including by eliminating ideological grant
    requirements not justified by statute?
        Mr. Zerzan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe it is
    important for the Department to follow the laws that Congress
    has passed. And so to the extent extraneous matters are put
    into rulemakings or other policies that are not justified by
    the law those should be addressed and remedied.
        Obviously, I am not at the Department so I do not have a
    great deal of familiarity with Secretary Duffy's approach in
    this respect, but I can say at the Department of the Interior
    we have taken very seriously the President's mandate to ensure
    that the laws are being followed and that there are not
    extraneous matters being included in our regulatory policies.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Rutherford, the Office of
    Multimodal Freight oversees the development of the National
    Multimodal Freight Network, the federally designated network of
    highways, railways, ports, airports, and other infrastructure
    are critical to the efficient movement of freight across the
    United States. Within this network, shippers and transportation
    operators are often at odds with each other.
        For example, shippers may demand faster delivery, but
    carriers may be constrained by driver shortages or port
    congestion. Based on your experience working with both shippers
    and operators, how can the Office of Multimodal Freight help
    bridge these gaps?
        Mr. Rutherford. Thank you for the question, Senator. One of
    the objectives clearly for the Freight Office is to address
    issues of congestion. And congestion is the enemy of asset
    utilization. When we fix problems of congestion, you are not
    just--you are not just driving down cost, but you are actually
    generating additional capacity so that you can also be more
    efficient.
        And we saw that at CSX with the roll out of Precision
    Scheduled Railroading. So it becomes a virtuous cycle or circle
    if you will. And by working with the Multimodal Freight Network
    and identifying key strategic infrastructure, we will be able
    to make certain that we are focusing our emphasis on improving
    our overall infrastructure where it matters most to both
    shippers and transportation providers alike.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Ranking Member Cantwell.
        Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Mr. Zerzan, under your predecessor, Mr. Bradbury's role in
    the first Trump administration allowed for an exemption to the
    ADB-S (sic) Out system for the Department of Defense. And it
    was then later learned that this was not as the request--was
    requested in the exemption a very--not very often used thing,
    but it turned out to be something they did all the time.
        So how can you make sure that as you are looking at
    regulations, particularly when the administration says they
    want to get rid of ten rules, how can you make sure that these
    kinds of oversights where people really were not paying
    attention to the fact that DoD and FAA did not really have a
    clear plan to keep these planes separated. What can you do to
    make sure that that kind of rulemaking and exemption is not
    followed in the future?
        Mr. Zerzan. Thank you, Senator. I take the obligation of
    the General Counsel to ensure the laws are being followed very
    seriously. I also acknowledge my own limitations on technical
    matters and fortunately the Department is full of people who
    exercise excellent judgment in most cases. So I would certainly
    attempt to rely upon the experts and ensure that in following
    the law we are doing whatever we can do to maximize safety for
    the American people.
        Senator Cantwell. So how would you in this case, when DoD
    came to the FAA and said, we want an exemption, how would you
    as counsel make sure that you are following what is the process
    to understand what the exemption really is? As opposed to, I am
    sure a lot of people would like to give DOT an exemption,
    right, those important missions that they have?
        Mr. Zerzan. Yes. And I think it is an excellent question,
    and candidly, not being familiar with the particulars of this
    case, it is hard for me to give a precise answer. But I do
    encounter instances even in my current job where the DoD or
    other departments come to us and ask for various accommodations
    or agreements. And in each case, it is the same process, which
    is to rely upon the technical experts and seek their judgment,
    and then make a good-faith determination of what I think is
    compliant with the law.
        Senator Cantwell. Thank you for that. And get up to speed
    on it because I think it will come up. This is an ongoing
    issue, and you know, this incident that just happened in the
    Upper Midwest also just a reflection of we do not--there is
    something amiss here if this kind of near-miss things are
    continuing to happen. So we need DOT to be on the ball.
        Mr. Rutherford do we need to increase the investments in
    INFRA, and freight, and port infrastructure?
        Mr. Rutherford. I think if we--Senator, if we are talking
    about investments in infrastructure generally, absolutely, but
    I think it would be premature to speak about individual grant
    vehicles, because as I mentioned in my opening remarks, I
    really want to make certain that we adopt a holistic and
    systematic approach. We have got a number of grant vehicles not
    only within the office more broadly----
        Senator Cantwell. I am more looking at you. You come with
    this private sector experience saying, I understand the
    movement of goods and services.
        Mr. Rutherford. Correct.
        Senator Cantwell. And what I am trying to get at is that we
    are at a threatened point of not being competitive enough if
    you cannot get product safely and timely to market. And so in
    my world because we represent a lot of ports, I see exactly
    what that bottleneck can be and so infrastructure investment is
    going to help us be competitive as a nation. So I want an
    increase in that investment. I am just trying to see if you
    agree.
        Mr. Rutherford. I agree. But not only those within the
    Office of the Secretary, but also elsewhere, you know, whether
    they be in MARAD, or what have you.
        Senator Cantwell. Yes.
        Mr. Rutherford. Any other investments.
        Senator Cantwell. Yes, well----
        Mr. Rutherford. And that is why for me the--I guess my
    point of----
        Senator Cantwell.--you are saying make it an ecosystem that
    works together very effectively?
        Mr. Rutherford. Correct.
        Senator Cantwell. Great. Well we are all----
        Mr. Rutherford. And so my point of the----
        Senator Cantwell.--we are all for MARAD spending too. So
    only because the market is outside the United States, 95
    percent of consumers are outside the United States, so if you
    are not getting U.S. products to them timely, we are not going
    to be competitive.
        Mr. Rutherford. Absolutely. And I guess where I was trying
    to arrive is, my point of departure is really the National
    Freight Strategic Plan. And then that should be not only
    managing what we do at the Office of the Secretary, but also
    influencing grant-making decisions elsewhere within DOT.
        Senator Cantwell. Thank you. Thank you for that.
        Ms. Oz, I would love to ask about what your daughter sings
    in opera, but we might not have time for that. So this----
        Ms. Oz. To be discussed.
        Senator Cantwell. Pardon me?
        Ms. Oz. To be discussed later.
        Senator Cantwell. To be discussed. So what do you think
    is--you know, you have now had this private sector experience
    where, you know, we are really basically beta testing and
    rolling out to larger regimes of adoptions, right, but trying
    to do so in a safe manner?
        I have always thought that, you know, just starting here
    and then just saying, well, we did a few betas and now we are
    going to open it up to the whole country, and that is too much.
    Like, so what--how do you see us continuing to move forward in
    the adoption? And what do you do about the trucking sector and
    the huge workforce that is involved there, because it is a very
    key part of the U.S. economy, hundreds of thousands of people?
        Ms. Oz. Senator Cantwell, well, it is an excellent
    question, a two-part question. The first part has to do with
    the fact that, as I mentioned in my testimony, we built this
    technology here in America, and so we have all of the
    foundational capability to scale it in the most safe way we can
    by using conservative planning and by using systems that are--
    fail operational.
        So that includes redundancies in the system. It includes
    ensuring we have secondary approaches like telematics,
    teleoperations, remote vehicle management, but most importantly
    we need a framework in which we can give clear guidance to
    industry on scaling, and deploying the capabilities on public
    roads in America in a safe way.
        And that is, I think, the challenge with this
    administration, with all of us, to incorporate many elements of
    the technical capabilities we currently have and just ensure
    that we coordinate them and work together on a national
    framework.
        Trucking is a very interesting--is a very interesting
    windfall benefactor for this technology because trucking and
    commerce is one of the areas that makes the most economic
    distinction on--on benefits as we have remote vehicle
    management. So I think it is one of the first use cases that we
    can emerge with and I am hoping to provide good clarity and
    good guidance on how we can do that on the technical side and
    with research that we have already got.
        Senator Cantwell. Well, yes, I am getting you a little out
    of your lane because you are not--we are not hiring you to
    figure out what to do with 200- or 300,000 Teamsters. But at
    the same time it is--when you sit there and you are looking at
    the framework which you describe which I think is a good plan,
    having a framework that then you can coordinate with industry
    and then get people to buy confidence in.
        I thought the same about the drone system. You know you--we
    had people, you know, visioning lots of drone use in the
    Northwest for a long, long time. I think we started 2001 with
    pushing the FAA to keep moving forward. So here it is the same
    thing, but you also have a huge employment sector, unlike the
    drone industry did not have that you know existing workforce
    issue.
        So we will look forward--my time has expired to discussing
    this more with you. Thank you.
        Ms. Oz. I appreciate it. Thank you, Senator.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Schatz.
        Senator Schatz. I will defer to Senator Curtis if he is
    ready.
        Senator Curtis. Always.
        The Chairman. All right, Senator Curtis.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN CURTIS,
                         U.S. SENATOR FROM UTAH

        Senator Curtis. Let me flip to the right page in my book,
    and put glasses on. All right, maybe I was a little over-
    optimistic.
        OK, Ms. Oz, Mr. Rutherford, and Mr. Zerzan, did I get that
    correct? Thank you all for being here today, and
    congratulations to each of you. I have greatly enjoyed the
    opportunity to work with Secretary Duffy this year and I
    appreciate the leadership he has brought to the Department. He
    has shown a great interest in Utah, he has personally been out
    there, and Utah has recognized that and is very appreciative.
        Mr. Zerzan, Utah is experiencing rapid growth and preparing
    to host the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. With that comes mounting
    pressure around environmental review, time lines, and
    permitting processes. How can DOT's Legal Office help
    streamline these processes while maintaining integrity and
    fairness?
        Mr. Zerzan. Thank you very much, Senator. It is an
    important question. The Supreme Court's recent Seven County's
    decision has certainly facilitated NEPA reviews that I hope are
    more consistent with what was intended by Congress. So that
    alone will help expedite the review process and hopefully
    mitigate some of the litigation risk that has delayed projects
    of all kinds.
        At the Department of the Interior, we have worked on
    facilitating streamlined processes that are focused on what is
    required by statute as opposed to other extraneous matters
    which may indicate policy preferences, but which ultimately end
    up slowing the process of permitting important projects. At the
    Department, I would hope to help bring some of those same
    permitting reform ideas that are designed again to streamline
    the process while also ensuring environmental integrity.
        Senator Curtis. Thank you. Mr. Rutherford, how do you plan
    to partner with State Department of Transportation to ensure
    freight planning reflects both national priorities and state-
    specific needs?
        Mr. Rutherford. Thank you for the question, Senator.
    Obviously, there are a number of things within the actual
    functions of the Freight Office in terms of the review of the
    individual State DOT freight plans, the development of the
    National Freight Strategic Plan, but I think what is really
    important is that we both seek to drive and align.
        The National Multimodal Freight Network is one area where
    we do that, where we make certain that all of the strategic
    inventory of our Nation's infrastructure is properly captured,
    because that is a point of departure not only at the Freight
    Office but also for many of the individual State DOTs.
        And I think also the work, similar to what Secretary Duffy
    has talked about last week, this need to identify initiatives
    of proper Federal interest that are going to be strategically
    important. By identifying them more clearly, it will help us,
    for example, at the Freight Office, if confirmed, to respond to
    questions like those from the Government Accountability Office
    about exactly what do we mean by an exemplary project.
        Senator Curtis. Thank you. That is great.
        Mr. Rutherford. Thank you.
        Senator Curtis. Thanks. Ms. Oz, Utah has established itself
    as a leader in transportation innovation, thanks to strong
    leadership from the Utah Department of Transportation, and
    willingness to invest in new technologies like electric
    aircraft. I am interested in your perspective on how the United
    States is competing with China when it comes to innovative
    transportation technologies?
        Ms. Oz. Senator Curtis, thank you very much for that
    important question and--but I wanted to also say thank you for
    your staff for meeting with me during my recent visits to the
    staff offices. I enjoyed our conversations around energy. So
    the biggest problem we have, and specifically with China, I
    think is--is that what your question is?
        Senator Curtis. Correct.
        Ms. Oz. OK. China has mandated as of their 2025 program,
    which is in effect right now, the asset commitment, the capital
    commitment, the unilateral decisionmaking of investing in this
    energy sector and automatic driving sector, in a very big way.
    And as of recently they are selling more cars than we are, they
    own about 70 percent of the EV market, and they are building on
    the chip sets that they have developed in the country locally,
    and probably to expand to other countries in the region.
        The U.S., in my estimate, built this technology as I
    discussed earlier with Senator Cantwell. We need to own it. We
    need to build regulatory involvement around it, and have the
    very best research that gives--that gives a direction for that
    capability. So that means that unilaterally we have to decide
    we want to make this part of our agenda which the President and
    Secretary Duffy have prioritized. So I guess I hope to support
    that effort going forward.
        Senator Curtis. Thank you. I am almost out of time. I would
    just like to double down with all three of you that Utah is
    ready to be innovative, and to lead, and I know the Secretary
    is as well. And any chance that Utah can be part of any
    innovation, or things that you want to work with, and
    experiment with, we would love to have those conversations.
        And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield my time.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Schatz.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. BRIAN SCHATZ,
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII

        Senator Schatz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you all for
    your willingness to serve.
        I have three questions and they are all for Mr. Zerzan.
    Thank you for being willing to step up, and thanks to your
    family for the sacrifice.
        And I am going to caveat this with, I know you are not in
    the Government, and I know that is an easy way not to answer
    the question, and a perfectly fair way to not answer the
    question. So I am actually trying to get to how you would
    approach this problem, because you would be within your rights
    to say: Well, I do not know yet. But I want you to try to
    answer this.
        The Department--and I have a good relationship with the
    Secretary--but the Department froze around 3,200 grant awards
    for review, and you know, I have spoken with him both publicly
    and privately of the problem of all of them being frozen, and
    then the bandwidth problem of unfreezing them individually. And
    he was pretty frank about the inability to process this in a
    timely fashion.
        I think we are now, out of the 3,200, somewhere between 4-
    and 500 who have now--that have now been approved. But this is
    the law and we are now talking about billions of dollars of
    transportation infrastructure, nonpartisan stuff, bipartisan
    stuff, kind of, you know, meat and potato stuff.
        I am wondering how, in the interest of fidelity to the law
    that we passed, both the Appropriations law and the IIJA, how
    do we effectuate a process that does not end up, you know,
    taking us 5 years to get money out that has been approved, you
    know, a couple of years ago now?
        Mr. Zerzan. Well, thank you very much, Senator. Manpower
    is, you know, a great way to solve a lot of problems, so
    ensuring that you have eyeballs on the grants. I will tell you
    from my own experience, you know, President Trump had ordered a
    review of all spending in order to ensure that the taxpayer
    dollars are being used faithfully.
        At the Department of the Interior, we go through each
    individual grant and review and see, because the Government is
    very good at putting in clauses for allowing it to do things
    like pause-it spending. And so to the extent there is a
    justifiable reason for doing so, then we have put a pause on
    it. If there is not, then the money goes out the door. So I
    completely sympathize with what you are saying, and I am
    familiar with the--with the challenge.
        Senator Schatz. I just want to offer that just
    operationally we may have to invert the assumption, right? You
    may want to review for impropriety, or you know, noncompliance
    with the law, or some other reason to freeze, but I think that
    as long as the Department of Transportation professionals have
    worked with a State Department of Transportation to engage that
    our assumption should be that that is lawful, subject to
    review, not that all of it does not go until it is individually
    sort of reapproved.
        Because if we do that, and again, I am not trying to, you
    know, reduce the prerogatives of the Department to align better
    with the new President's priorities, and the new Secretary's
    priorities, but you are just not going to get through this
    list, and you are going to get people on a bipartisan basis,
    you know, pretty angry.
        The other challenge is, I do not want to create a situation
    where it is Tammany Hall and I have got to appeal directly to
    the Secretary to kind of release my funds, right? And then we
    are--then it is a mayor, and a swimming pool in your Council
    District and that is not the way that we do transportation
    infrastructure.
        So this is not working right now, and I think the Secretary
    would agree, that we need a new process other--because more
    manpower, you know what is going to happen, it is going to take
    months to just fund, hire, train, and then we are into next
    year, and we will be one-third of our way through the list.
    This thing is going too slow.
        There is an Office of Tribal Transportation and an Office
    of Tribal Government Affairs, and I want to know how you are
    going to work with them to train lawyers and program staff on
    their obligations under the law regarding tribal consultation
    and transportation issues?
        The reason I mentioned this is that we did a bunch of
    things on a bipartisan basis to include tribes in ways that are
    novel, but they are now statutory. The problem is that, as you
    know from DOI, people kind of know what tribal consultation
    means. DOT, not as much, and you know, we had a problem with
    the Energy Department where they--this was all new to them, so
    they had like bonding requirements for like a--you know, a 300-
    person tribe as if that tribe were a municipal government that
    could go onto Wall Street and get a AAA rating.
        And so I just want your commitment to kind of work through
    these issues given your experience at DOI, and to help your
    team understand that tribes cannot be treated like counties,
    they have to--you have to understand the unique legal
    obligations and trust obligations between the U.S. Government
    and Tribes.
        Mr. Zerzan. Yes, absolutely, Senator, thank you. And I hope
    I can help create value in that respect.
        Senator Schatz. OK. Thank you. And then final question,
    with your indulgence, Mr. Chairman; in the last FAA
    Reauthorization I passed a law to create a standalone Aviation
    Consumer Protection Office to further empower this function at
    DOT. It is not fully established because it was subject to
    appropriations and we have not appropriated money for this
    purpose, so I just--so that functions would reside under the
    GC's shop, and I just want your commitment to just fight for
    consumers in the aviation context, and for us to be able to
    work together on a couple of specific things. There were some
    rulemakings that I think were broadly popular and rational. And
    I am hoping we can work together on just protecting aviation
    consumers.
        Mr. Zerzan. Thank you, Senator, absolutely.
        Senator Schatz. Thank you.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Lujan.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. BEN RAY LUJAN,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO

        Senator Lujan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Thank you all for being here today. Ms. Oz, is the safety
    of the American people on America's roads important to you?
        Ms. Oz. Critical.
        Senator Lujan. Would you say it is a top priority?
        Ms. Oz. Yes.
        Senator Lujan. Would you say it is a number one priority?
        Ms. Oz. It is a critical priority, sir.
        Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. You worked at Google X; is
    that correct?
        Ms. Oz. That is correct, sir.
        Senator Lujan. On their self-driving cars? It is my
    understanding that they logged over a 100,000 miles on public
    roads; is that about right?
        Ms. Oz. More than that.
        Senator Lujan. More than that? And there was no public
    disclosure of that; is that correct?
        Ms. Oz. Well, at the time it was much less. We are talking
    about 2010 period. I presume, right?
        Senator Lujan. Um-hum.
        Ms. Oz. The testing was--and compliant with what the
    company had.
        Senator Lujan. You were on the team at the time and later
    defended this question, saying, quote, ``Keeping the project
    quiet enabled Google to test under the radar of public opinion
    and lawmakers, we just did not want the program to slow down
    for any reason''. End quote.
        Ms. Oz. Yes, that was----
        Senator Lujan. If I could finish, Google took it upon
    themselves to make the decision for the public and for
    regulators, effectively, using public roads and by extension
    American lives as a testbed. Do you stand by this decision?
        Ms. Oz. The decision at the time was accurate, Senator,
    because there was no--there was no--there was an absence of any
    kind of regulatory framework. The testing framework had been
    received. There was no bill at the time, and the company went
    ahead and made testing in accordance with the compliance they
    received.
        Senator Lujan. Do you believe that innovation should be
    prioritized over public safety and oversight?
        Ms. Oz. Absolutely, not.
        Senator Lujan. Do you stand by that decision then at the
    time?
        Ms. Oz. I was not in the company during that period, during
    that 2010 period when the--when the vehicles were being tested.
    I came in 2011. So the comment you are making, sir, was much
    later on.
        Senator Lujan. Is this quote attributable to you though?
    Did you say this, ``Keeping the project quiet enabled Google to
    test under the radar of public opinion and lawmakers''?
        Ms. Oz. They met--the context was keeping the--keeping the
    engineering teams focused, keeping media and other concerning,
    you know, groups that wanted to know specifics was primarily
    the reason why we wanted to make sure that we kept this--the
    engineering teams focused, and that there was no distraction.
    That is the--that was the metaphor that was used to describe
    that in the context.
        Senator Lujan. Is that your quote, though, the one that I
    am reading?
        Ms. Oz. Probably, yes.
        Senator Lujan. ``Probably''?
        Ms. Oz. I have to see it, but I would imagine I made a
    comment----
        Senator Lujan. I will get that to you. I will also submit
    that into the record so----
        Ms. Oz. Sure.
        Senator Lujan.--that we can be certain there. What steps
    will you take to assure this Committee that you will prioritize
    safety of the American people over interests of the industry?
        Ms. Oz. While we were at Google and developing the program,
    I was presiding over some of the work that was being done to
    ensure that we had a program that could not be syncable, sir,
    so that meant having extremely caution exercised at every node
    on the point of departure to recovery that--to return the
    vehicle to the home base. So that record stands for itself, and
    it is still probably the safest record in the industry.
        Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. As you have heard from all
    of our colleagues, public safety matters very much to us. I
    appreciate you saying it is a top priority, a critical
    priority. That is something I think that we can all agree on.
        Ms. Oz. Thank you, Senator.
        Senator Lujan. So I appreciate your responses there.
        Mr. Zerzan, you are currently the Acting Solicitor and
    Principal Solicitor at the Department of Interior; is that
    correct?
        Mr. Zerzan. Yes, sir.
        Senator Lujan. And you previously served as the General
    Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of the Department of
    Interior; is that correct?
        Mr. Zerzan. No, sir. That, I think that was maybe an energy
    company I was in that role at.
        Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. So would you say you have
    experience leading a major legal office in advising on Federal
    law and regulatory issues?
        Mr. Zerzan. Yes, sir.
        Senator Lujan. Do you have substantive legal experience in
    transportation law?
        Mr. Zerzan. Not with respect to the Department itself, but
    given the interconnectedness of transportation with everything
    we do in this country, it is unavoidable.
        Senator Lujan. How about infrastructure policy or
    regulatory issues specific to the Department of Transportation?
    For example, aviation, rail, highway safety, motor carrier
    rules?
        Mr. Zerzan. I am not a lawyer who has a substantial amount
    of background with that set of laws.
        Senator Lujan. Now, the Department of Transportation
    General Counsel typically needs deep knowledge across
    transportation-specific sectors. And as you know, our country
    faces tremendous transportation and safety issues right now, as
    I was just questioning Ms. Oz, air traffic controllers,
    autonomous vehicles, rail safety, all the rest. This
    administration just continues to baffle me with its staffing
    decisions. There are experts out there that are deep in all of
    this policy. I appreciate your honesty and your candor in that
    response, sir.
        I just do not understand, Mr. Chairman, why, with all the
    depth of experts in and around specific areas that sometimes
    this happens. I just, I do not--I just do not understand that.
    Nothing against you personally, I appreciate the work you do at
    the Department of Interior. I am sure you are fabulous with the
    energy companies that you have supported as well. We should
    nominate you to be at the Department of Energy, or we should
    put you back into this spot at the Department of Interior,
    because you are doing well there. But nonetheless, that is just
    my opinion.
        Mr. Rutherford, one question I guess I have for you, sir,
    is January 6, so I am sorry to bring this up again, but you
    posted that--you said that January 6, that it was a
    ``disruption''. You said that your father, a former
    Congressman, was one of the few to continue to vote against
    certifying the votes after the January 6th disruption. Would
    you call January 6th an ``insurrection''?
        Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Senator, I will tell you, I am the son
    of a policeman, my father who is a Congressman, and I certainly
    do not condone violence against members of our law enforcement.
    So if you are speaking to that that is one thing. If you are
    speaking to the certification of the vote, I think every Member
    of Congress is required by law to certify the vote, and it is
    not until Congress has certified a vote that the President is
    elected.
        Senator Lujan. My question is not those, sir.
        Mr. Rutherford. OK.
        Senator Lujan. My question is very specific. Was January
    6th an insurrection?
        Mr. Rutherford. I would leave that to someone else to
    describe.
        Senator Lujan. So you stand by calling it a ``disruption''?
        Mr. Rutherford. It certainly disrupted the process of the
    day.
        Senator Lujan. I mean, look, to your point, I appreciate
    what you are saying there. People died that day. Officers were
    beaten. Some of them are no longer with us. Words matter, you
    all, and we are going to be leaders in these positions. There
    is just----
        Mr. Rutherford. Sir----
        Senator Lujan.--if I could finish, sir. Because my time is
    up as well and I appreciate the indulgence, Mr. Chairman, I
    just hope just down the road with some of these things, we just
    remember that. You know, it all matters. I appreciate the
    service of your father as well, and the work that was done in
    those spaces. You are you are all going to be confirmed. But
    just, words matter, as we just get through all this stuff, is
    all that I am asking.
        Thank you for the indulgence, Mr. Chairman.
        The Chairman. I would just, I thank my friend from New
    Mexico, and I would note that the Department of Transportation,
    Office of Multimodal Transportation is unlikely to have any
    direct responsibilities concerning January 6. And if we want to
    have a discussion about January 6, I am more than happy to do
    so. And I am happy to say under no way, shape, or form was
    January 6 an insurrection. I think that is a term that is
    loaded with partisan content and is--inaccurately describes
    what occurred that day. But given this hearing is on DOT
    nominees, this is probably not the right----
        Senator Lujan. Mr. Chairman, I think we can both agree it
    was a bad day, though.
        The Chairman. I think this is not the right forum for that
    discussion. Senator Moreno.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. BERNIE MORENO,
                         U.S. SENATOR FROM OHIO

        Senator Moreno. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. And
    congratulations to all of you on being nominated, I am sure it
    is--that you feel the way most people would feel in your
    position, which it is a great honor to be asked by the
    President of the United States to serve their country.
        Ms. Oz, I will start with you. When you look at your job
    and making certain that we are advancing research and
    technology in the automobile industry do you--where do you see
    a vision of where we are from a transportation perspective in,
    let us say, 10 or 15 years? Is private ownership of cars still
    a factor, or are self-driving autonomous vehicles going to be
    the primary and only means of transportation?
        Ms. Oz. Senator, first of all, it is good to see you. I
    enjoyed our time together in your offices, beautiful offices.
    And we touched on some of these subjects. And I appreciate your
    interest in the automotive industry and of your continued
    commitment. I do believe Americans deserve a choice. They
    deserve a choice on what type of modality they wish to use to
    get from point to--point A to point B.
        In some cases, we may not--we may no longer want or need to
    drive in traffic anymore. And in some cases, we want to turn on
    the ignition and just, you know, go on a deep rural drive
    somewhere in the back road. So we should have that choice.
    There are some learnings that we can take probably from the
    first use cases for the self-driving cars other than freight,
    will most likely be in the realm of fleet management, because
    it is going to be easier to maintain fleets of vehicles; turn
    them onto home base, get them maintained properly. But that
    will also mean more cars being sold in total volume, because if
    you can drive 100,000 miles in 1 year on a fleet vehicle with
    90 percent utility optimization, you can sell more cars.
        Senator Moreno. Well, again, I am not--I am not concerned
    about the number of vehicles sold. I am concerned about,
    ultimately, are we looking to replace private ownership of
    cars? Like that is my main question, because here is the
    concern I have. During the Biden administration, they had a
    very unhealthy obsession with EVs, and that led to a disastrous
    amount of government money, spent hundreds of billions of
    dollars in subsidies. They drove car companies almost off the
    cliff to make EVs, California, of course, lost their mind,
    whatever was left of it, and wanted everybody driving an
    electric vehicle.
        Thanks to the Congressional Review Act, we ended that.
    Thanks to our Chairman who did a lot of work with the one big
    beautiful bill, we have now made kind of an old-fashioned
    concept come true, which is car companies should make the cars
    that people want to buy.
        So my question to you, and what I worry about, is that we
    do not want to go from an obsession with EVs to an obsession
    with AVs. And we obviously understand level 1 autonomy, the
    level 4 autonomy, totally understand as long as it is optional,
    as long as it is not mandated that somebody buy that--you know,
    one of the things I find interesting is my colleagues talk
    about how all these safety technologies should be mandated. I
    took the time to find out what kind of cars they personally
    drive, and you would be shocked to know that they did not
    purchase, themselves, those advanced driving technologies.
        So they do not want to spend their own personal money to
    buy more safety systems in their own cars, but want to mandate
    that very same technology for all Americans. You know, rules
    for thee, but not for me.
        My question to you when you are advising our great
    Secretary of Transportation/NASA Administrator, maybe we will
    nominate him to be the Chairman of the Federal Reserve too. He
    would definitely do a better job than Jerome Powell. But that
    is a different topic for different day.
        The Chairman. I think they are giving that to Marco Rubio.
        [Laughter.]
        Senator Moreno. Well he, I think the quota is four jobs. So
    Sean still has a couple more left. But back to the point, when
    you are advising him, I just want to be clear-eyed about your
    advice to him. Is it going to be: Hey, we have to move to a
    level 5 autonomy and start down the path of eliminating private
    ownership of cars? Or is this: How do we invest more in level 1
    through level 4 to drive those technologies to be less
    expensive so that more customers, on their own, like my
    colleagues who currently have not chosen to buy those
    technologies because maybe they thought they were too expensive
    to have them? That is a big difference in that conversation.
        Ms. Oz. Senator, I appreciate the analysis, and costs and
    affordability is a critical measurement in terms of this
    freedom, and I think we support, and I will support all of the
    above in terms of level 1 through level 4. I do not think we
    will see level 5 in my lifetime, but I do think that we can see
    this capability deployed on all different types of engines,
    whether they are ICE, or electric. So in that case I think I
    would support your view on this. Thank you.
        Senator Moreno. Yes. Because what I do not want to live is
    in a dystopian future in which big tech controls the
    transportation industry in America. You know, as you know, we
    talked about this in my office, America did not invent the
    automobile, but we invented what the automobile became. And the
    automobile is the ultimate expression of freedom. The idea that
    I am here in Washington D.C., I can go wherever the heck I want
    in a car that I own. Not controlled by big tech, not controlled
    by government. I can decide what kind of car I buy with my own
    money. It is a concept that my Democrat colleagues, over the
    last four years, lost sight of.
        They said all of the above. They said we want to give
    consumers choice, but in reality, the heavy, heavy hand of
    government was taking away those choices. And I just want to be
    incredibly clear that from your perspective, this is not about
    mandating or driving America toward the point in time in which
    the only people that control transportation in this country is
    giant technology companies that would mine our data and have
    complete control over our lives because it can control where we
    went and how we went there. I just want to be clear that that
    is absolutely not something that you would support.
        Ms. Oz. I will support the freedom of choice, and the
    freedom to drive in this country, because it is a part of our
    way of life.
        Senator Moreno. OK. Thank you.
        Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Kim.

                      STATEMENT OF HON. ANDY KIM,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY

        Senator Kim. Thank you, Chairman.
        Mr. Rutherford, I would like to start with you. You know,
    the FAST Act of 2015 required the Department of Transportation
    established a National Multimodal Freight Network to assist
    states in strategically directing their resources, improving
    performance of our freight system. OSTF is currently in the
    process of developing this network and has published a draft
    map for public comment includes the rail line, highways, ports,
    rivers, and airports. I believe that this effort is crucial for
    effectively modernizing these systems and can serve as a larger
    purpose as well as to help guide our own support. So I just
    wanted to ask if you could commit that the National Multimodal
    Freight Network be finalized under your leadership, should you
    be confirmed?
        Mr. Rutherford. Thank you for the question, Senator. And
    first and foremost, I agree with you about the significance of
    it, not only for DOT--within DOT, but also at the individual
    State DOTs. It is a key area of alignment across the Federal,
    state, and local levels, and finalizing that is certainly a
    priority, day one, if confirmed.
        Senator Kim. OK, great. Is that something you would work
    with me on to make sure that we can keep that going?
        Mr. Rutherford. Absolutely. Because the way I look at the
    National Multimodal Freight Network is it really gives us a
    sense of the current state of play and that needs to be the
    point of departure from which we then develop a broader
    National Freight Strategic Plan. Yes.
        Senator Kim. Another part of that would be, you know, there
    is the Freight Logistics Optimization Works initiative, FLOW,
    it is crucial understanding and responding to the supply chain
    disruptions. This was something that was launched in 2022 in
    response to some of the supply chain disruptions that we are
    facing at that time establishes that public private partnership
    between the industry partners and the government so that we
    can, you know, have a better understanding of the purchase
    order data from importers, et cetera. So I just wanted to ask,
    if you are confirmed can you commit to continuing this program
    under your leadership and working with Congress to ensure its
    success?
        Mr. Rutherford. Yes, Senator. And supply chain visibility,
    it is everything. You know, I like to describe transportation
    as being an outdoor sport, you have got to be able to change as
    the operating environment changes. And that forward-looking
    visibility that FLOW provides, I think, is incredibly helpful.
    And we have got a great point of--a great base from which to
    build, but there is a lot more that we can do with that. And I
    look forward to exploring those opportunities, if confirmed?
        Senator Kim. Yes. Just, you know, it is something that, you
    know, when we look back on, I mean, we want to make sure we
    never have that kind of supply chain disruption for the effect
    that it caused on families, on higher prices, and all sorts of
    other issues. So I am glad to hear that, and hope to be able to
    work with you on that.
        And Ms. Oz, I would like to just kind of follow up on some
    points a colleague of mine had asked you earlier about the
    autonomous vehicle efforts, especially when it comes to Google,
    asked, you know, in terms of the issues about Google disclosing
    that their self-driving cars had logged over, you know, 140,000
    miles, they disclosed that in 2010.
        I guess I just wanted to ask you, kind of, point blank
    again, do you think that there was any reason for Google to
    disclose and to--you know to be able to be more transparent
    about the training as well as the testing that they were doing
    when it came to autonomous vehicles?
        Ms. Oz. Senator, thank you for the question. As I mentioned
    to Senator Lujan, Google was at the time operating under a
    testing scenario which was fully compliant with their
    capabilities, and the decision to test on public roads was also
    fully compliant. That was during the time that I actually had
    not joined yet. So my comments were made after the fact.
        And my comments were more related to the ability for them
    to test and to lead, and not being distracted, and focus on
    what they were doing, so as not to be, you know, distracted by
    outside comments and interests on what we were doing.
        Senator Kim. I guess I would be kind of curious now that
    you are seeking a position that is going to have some oversight
    over this in terms of understanding. I mean, I can see how you
    can have that position when you are working for Google. But
    where is a line here? Where is a line in which a company needs
    to be transparent about testing and testing technology that is
    still not fully proven, you know, still has concerns over
    accidents, and doing it in the general public without the
    public understanding that this is being tested? Uncertain when
    these tests are going to occur, you know, doing it alongside
    others.
        I guess I am just kind of--just trying to think through
    like, where does that go from here? Where do you--where do you
    draw that line?
        Ms. Oz. Well, the world has changed quite substantially
    since then. So right now we do have statewide regulations on
    what is required by each state. It is fairly--it is fairly open
    and transparent, but there is no there is no Federal framework
    right now. And that is mainly the reason why I am here, sir, is
    to help inform NHTSA and other regulatory policy bodies on how
    we can, most safely, with the most integrity using the most
    unbiased and objective data, ensure that we do this in the in a
    public domain and we can scale in an accelerated fashion.
        Senator Kim. Yes, I guess, you know, just as I am wrapping
    up here, I guess I just want to raise the point, I understand
    that and I do think that there needs to be conversation about a
    Federal level, across the states as well, you are talking about
    it. But I guess it just makes me uneasy about what position you
    would take, you know, when it comes to your position, if your
    position is going to basically stand by, you know, the kind of
    approach that Google and other companies should just be able to
    do whatever they do because any type of public criticism or
    transparency is going to get in the way. Is going to, you know,
    ``distract'' them, I think, is the word that you used.
        I do not think congressional oversight or our ability to
    look into what companies are doing, is about distracting these
    companies from what they are doing. I do think that there
    should be public transparency. So I would just raise, that I am
    worried about what position you will take when it comes to
    Federal rules, and Federal approaches to this all.
        And with that, I yield back.
        The Chairman. Thank you very much. And I want to thank each
    of the nominees for being here.
        Mr. Oz, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Zerzan, my final question is
    required of all nominees. If confirmed, do you pledge to work
    collaboratively with this Committee to provide thorough and
    timely responses to the Committee's requests and to appear
    before the Committee when requested?
        Ms. Oz. I do, Mr. Chairman.
        Mr. Rutherford. I do.
        Mr. Zerzan. Yes, sir.
        The Chairman. Thank you. Senators will have until the close
    of business on Friday, July 25 to submit questions for the
    record. The nominees will have until the close of business on
    Monday, July 28 to respond to those questions.
        That concludes today's hearing. The Committee stands
    adjourned.
        [Whereupon, at 11:14 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]

                                A P P E N D I X

      Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to
                                    Seval Oz
        Question 1. In your role as Assistant Secretary for Research and
    Technology, you will be tasked with overseeing the University
    Transportation Center program. UT Knoxville is home to one of these
    UTCs, focusing on improving freight transportation to ensure efficient
    and resilient supply chains. UTK is at the forefront of transportation
    innovation, please explain how you plan to partner with universities
    and other stakeholders outside of the Department of Transportation to
    ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of innovation in
    transportation, supply chain resiliency, and logistics?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with the UTCs on their
    important work in improving freight transportation, supply chain
    resiliency and logistics. I recognize that UTCs play a key role in
    transportation research.

        Question 2. I have focused on for years the right sizing the
    Federal government and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are going towards
    worthwhile, applicable research. I have been pleased that President
    Trump and Secretary Duffy share this concern for the smart allocation
    of taxpayer funds. How do you plan to ensure that Federal dollars are
    spent on worthwhile research, retaining the partnerships that keep us
    at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement?
        Answer. The role in which I am nominated to serve focuses on
    research for the Department and does not have a decision in the
    spending of Federal dollars.

        Question 3. We often hear that the patent process is broken,
    especially when it comes to critical and emerging technologies. China
    is working to surpass the United States in this field, leading the
    world in 57 of 64 critical technologies. That's why I introduced the
    Leadership in Critical and Emerging Technologies Act, which would
    require the USPTO to establish a pilot program to expedite the
    examination of 15,000 patent applications for certain critical and
    emerging technologies. Can you describe your experience patenting
    autonomous technologies and what barriers exist for innovators in this
    arena?
        Answer. While working at Continental, my team and I filed multiple
    patents, which was an expensive and labor-intensive process.
        China has capitalized our slow patent system to quickly file
    similar patents in other venues, essentially copying or stealing our
    innovations. If confirmed, I will work with the Senate Commerce
    Committee to fix this problem.

        Question 4. In your new role, you will coordinate with modal
    agencies on autonomous vehicle research and adoption. It is critically
    important to our competition with China for technological dominance
    that the United States get this right. Please explain how you will
    apply your experience to your new role, ensuring that the United States
    is the world leader in the technology of the future.
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with the modal agencies,
    such as NHTSA, to ensure the safety, efficiency, and reliability of
    advanced systems to improve the United States' competitive edge.

        Question 5. What specific advantages does China have over the
    United States in autonomous technology, and how will you work to
    mitigate those in your role as Assistant Secretary?
        Answer. The Chinese government has promoted a national framework
    for the acceleration of automated vehicles (AVs) across their
    metropolitan cities that also fueled commercialization of the robo-taxi
    and passenger vehicle industry.
        If confirmed, I plan to advise the Secretary and inform DOT's
    regulatory framework on the safest and most advanced research and
    technical knowledge to promote the safe deployment for advanced
    technologies.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Bernie Moreno to
                                    Seval Oz
    I. Preserving Individual Car Ownership
        Question 1. Ms. Oz, private car ownership is a foundational
    American value. In your view, can the future of autonomous vehicles
    coexist with widespread private vehicle ownership, and do you support
    or anticipate recommending any policies that would directly or
    indirectly limit the right to own a personal vehicle?
        Answer. Yes, these vehicles will co-exist as different communities
    will have different needs and demands. No, I absolutely will not
    recommend, nor do I support any policies to limit vehicle ownership.

        Question 2. Do you foresee a future in which AV fleets displace or
    restrict access to personally owned vehicles? If so, what would the
    impact be--particularly on rural and underserved communities that rely
    on car ownership?
        Answer. No, I do not foresee AV fleets displacing or restricting
    access to personally owned vehicles. If AV fleets exist in the future,
    it would be in response to a demand most likely in specific
    geographical locations.

        Question 3. Would you support a temporary suspension of AV
    technologies that do not have a human driver in the vehicle for five
    years?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would lead the Department's research
    efforts in advanced technology to ensure the safety and reliability of
    these systems. NHTSA, not OST-R, is responsible for such decisions. I
    will follow all the laws of Congress and the policies of the Department
    of Transportation as set by the President and the Secretary.
    II. Cost Impacts and Federal Mandates
        Question 1. In your testimony, you spoke about the life-saving
    potential of AVs. What measures are being taken to ensure that AV
    adoption does not increase the cost of vehicles for working Americans
    who may neither want nor need these technologies?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would lead the Department's research
    efforts in advanced technology to ensure the safety and reliability of
    these systems. The Office of Research and Technology does not make
    these decisions about which technologies to include in cars. However, I
    support vehicle choice and strongly support private ownership of
    vehicles.

        Question 2. Do you believe DOT should be prohibited from mandating
    that all new vehicles include AV technologies, especially if such
    mandates would price millions of Americans out of the new car market?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would lead the Department's research
    efforts in advanced technology to ensure the safety and reliability of
    these systems. The Office of Research and Technology does not make
    these decisions. However, I support vehicle choice, strongly support
    private ownership of vehicles, and support affordability. The Congress,
    the President, and the Secretary make these choices.
    III. Data Privacy and Big Tech
        Question 1. How can we prevent AV manufacturers, many of which are
    large technology companies, from collecting, storing, or selling
    personally identifiable location and behavioral data from vehicles?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure strong, updated data
    encryption privacy and cybersecurity is part of our AV framework.

        Question 2. What safeguards should be put in place to prevent
    government agencies or corporations from using AV data for
    surveillance, profiling, or commercial exploitation?
        Answer. Strong AV data encryption can prevent unauthorized actors
    from monitoring the movement of our vehicles and people. If confirmed,
    I will work with the Senate Commerce committee to analyze proposals to
    update and reinforce encryption safeguards.
    IV. Market Competition and Centralized Control
        Question 1. What would you say to concerns that the current AV
    policy landscape favors large, centralized fleets controlled by
    corporations or governments--at the expense of competition and private
    ownership?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would work to inform AV policy that
    supports innovation while supporting and preserving private ownership.

        Question 2. What policies are necessary to ensure a competitive
    marketplace that prevents monopolistic control of the AV ecosystem by a
    few dominant players in the tech or transportation sectors?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would lead the Department's research
    efforts in advanced technology to ensure the safety and reliability of
    these systems. The Office of Research and Technology does not make
    these decisions. However, I strongly support vehicle choice and private
    ownership of vehicles.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
                                    Seval Oz
        Safe NAS Integration. OST-R's Highly Automated Systems Safety
    Center of Excellence (HASS COE) issued a 2024 report on Electronic
    Conspicuity which indicated that equipping airspace users with
    technologies like ADS-B supports the safe integration of Unmanned
    Aerial Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS) and also
    creates a safe and secure environment for future evolutions.

        Question 1. Ms. Oz, if confirmed, how will you use your research
    role at the Department to help inform the safe integration of UAS into
    the NAS?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with OST-R's Highly Automated
    Systems Safety Center of Excellence to research and advance
    technologies like Electronic Conspicuity, and work cross modally with
    the FAA and OST-X to foster the deployment of new technologies that are
    safe and secure within the NAS.

        Question 2. Do you support ensuring that more operators in the NAS
    are equipped with ADS-B Out and other senses and avoid safety
    technologies to better achieve this goal and help the commercial drone
    industry move forward?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the Senate Commerce
    Committee to develop and deploy those safety technologies which are
    appropriate to help the commercial drone industry move forward.

        Volpe Center. The Volpe Center, which would fall under your
    authority if confirmed, is DOT's world-class transportation research
    center in Cambridge, MA. Its focus is on developing innovative
    solutions to transportation challenges. Most of Volpe's 600 Federal
    staff are technical professionals with advanced degrees. Volpe receives
    no direct appropriation from Congress. All of its work is funded by
    fees from project sponsors. About 85 percent of that work is sponsored
    by DOT modal offices, including FAA, FRA, and FHWA.

        Question 1. Do you support this business model and, if confirmed,
    would you commit to working with DOT operating administrations to
    continue to direct research to the Volpe Center?
        Answer. I am not yet at the agency and therefore do not know the
    specific details for Volpe's business model.

        Bureau of Transportation Statistics. If confirmed, the Bureau of
    Transportation Statistics (BTS) would fall under your authority. BTS is
    one of 13 Federal statistical agencies. BTS collects, compiles, and
    analyzes data on all modes of transportation, and that data provides
    critical context to transportation decision makers, including Congress.
    BTS data is expected to be objective, independent of political
    influence, and unbiased.

        Question 1. If confirmed, do you commit to supporting BTS in its
    mission of providing transportation data that is independent and free
    from political bias?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will support the entities under my
    authority, including BTS in its mission of providing transportation
    data that is independent and free from political bias.

        Question 2. If confirmed, would you support increasing resources
    for the Bureau?
        Answer. I am not yet at the agency and therefore cannot comment on
    the BTS' needs.

        University Transportation Centers. The Trump Administration $54
    million in funding to University Transportation Centers because they
    were too radical. This includes centers performing cutting edge
    research into how AI can improve the efficiency of transportation
    systems.

        Question 1. If confirmed, will you commit to awarding these funds
    through a new Notice of Funding Opportunity?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will support the agencies in the Department
    in their funding efforts, in consultation with the Office of Management
    and Budget.

        Question 2. If confirmed, would you commit to fairly and unbiasedly
    reviewing the applications of the Universities that lost funding?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will commit to following the policies in
    fairly and unbiasedly reviewing funding applications.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
                                    Seval Oz
        Question 1. Research Investments. The Department of
    Transportation's Office of Science & Technology Research works with
    public, private, and academic sector partners on research
    collaboration, coordinates research investment, and oversees the
    development of Annual Modal Research Plans.
        Do you commit to being an advocate for science and maintaining
    academic partnerships at the Department?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will be an advocate for application of the
    scientific method in analysis and replicable academic research.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to
                                    Seval Oz
        Question 1. The role of the Department of Transportation is to
    ensure all vehicles, including those equipped with partially or fully
    automated driving systems, are safe for all road users. Studies show
    that by 2030, nearly 70 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S. will
    have ``some level of driving automation, specifically SAE levels 2 and
    above'' \1\. One of the most prevalent issues leading to AV crashes is
    over-trust in the automated system, leading to lack of oversight by the
    human in the loop. Trust in these systems is built on the assumption
    that the government is performing its oversight duties to ensure cars
    and roads are safe for everyone.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \1\ https://www.autobodynews.com/news/majority-of-new-vehicles-
    will-have-level-2-autonomy-by-
    2030#::text=The%20analysis%20by%20ABI%20Research%20predicts%20almost,1%
    2C%20
    2024.%20*%20Read%20Time:%201%20Min.

        a. What do you plan to do to ensure drivers' trust in AV technology
    is not misguided?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with NHTSA on testing, and
    comprehensive educational and training programs to ensure drivers'
    trust in AV technology is not misguided.

        b. How do you plan to enforce safety mechanisms in all levels of
    autonomous vehicles so we can all benefit from the promise of these
    technologies?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will coordinate with NHTSA, key
    stakeholders, and the Secretary on the benefits of these safety
    mechanisms.

        Question 2. What do you believe are the biggest safety concerns or
    challenges that are unique to autonomous vehicles? Please outline your
    answers for varying levels of automation as necessary.
        Answer. In general, errors in vehicle control, cybersecurity,
    spoofing GPS/sensors, ransomware, and hacking are some of the primary
    safety concerns unique to AVs. If confirmed, I will work with NHTSA to
    coordinate appropriate safety mechanisms in all levels of autonomous
    vehicles.

            Levels 0-2 driver assistance/partial automation: Human Factors
            (Distractions)

            Level 3 conditional automation: Response Time (Disengagements)

            Level 4 self-driving: Environmental Conditions (E.g. Sensor and
            perception limitations include snow, fog, glare or heavy rain
            when the system cannot see or maneuver around road furniture or
            other vehicles

        Question 3. During your testimony, I asked you about a quote
    attributed to you, in which you stated ``Keeping the project quiet
    enabled Google to test under the radar of public opinion and lawmakers.
    We just didn't want the program to slow down for any reason.'' \2\ This
    was regarding Google's decision not to inform the public or lawmakers
    about testing its self-driving cars on public roads. You told me the
    goal was ``keeping the engineering teams focused'' and ensuring ``there
    was no distraction''. I understand you were not at the company at the
    time, but you did defend their decisions. Do you support Google's
    decision to keep the public and lawmakers in the dark while using
    public roads to test new technology?
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \2\ https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/teslas-tussle-with-feds-over-
    model-x-accident-is-a-fools-errand
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Answer. I support transparency, especially if the matter involves
    safety.

        Question 4. In your testimony, you stated that self-driving cars
    have ``proven to be safer by all metrics shown in the public records.''

        a. What data are you referencing in this answer? Please provide
    links to relevant reports or studies.
        Answer. Independently peer-reviewed publications:

            Comparison of Waymo Rider-Only Crash Data to Human Benchmarks
            at 7.1 Million Miles

            Comparative Safety Performance of Autonomous-and Human Drivers:
            A Real-World Case Study of the Waymo One Service

        b. Do you believe we collect sufficient safety data on autonomous
    vehicles? Please outline your answers for varying levels of automation
    as necessary.
        Answer. Since I am not yet at the agency, I do not have access to
    data that has already been collected.

        c. How do you plan to increase transparency and public access to
    safety data for autonomous vehicles, particularly when much of that
    information is currently treated as proprietary?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the relevant entities in the
    Department to protect proprietary data.

        Question 5. The purpose of the Department of Transportation is to
    ensure that every form of transportation is safe for Americans. Yes or
    No: Would you take an action that is in conflict with those goals due
    to political pressure?
        Answer. If confirmed, my primary goal would be to make advanced
    technologies as safe as possible.

        Question 6. Yes or No: Would you go against a direct order from the
    President or his cabinet if you believed it put lives at risk or was
    illegal?
        Answer. The President of the United States and his cabinet would
    never put lives at risk or give illegal orders.

        Question 7. Yes or No: Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 2020
    presidential election?
        Answer. Former President Joseph Biden was certified as the winner
    of the 2020 presidential election and sworn in as the forty-sixth
    President on January 20, 2021.

        Question 8. Yes or No: Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 2024
    presidential election?
        Answer. President Trump was certified as the winner of the 2024
    presidential election and sworn in as the forty-seventh President on
    January 20, 2025.
                                     ______

      Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to
                                    Seval Oz
        Question 1. The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides critical
    services to the U.S. economy. These include precise navigation
    services--including during natural disasters, support for precision
    farming to optimize crop yields and resource management, and efficiency
    in fleet management and public transportation. Today, our GPS system
    relies on a constellation of satellites that communicate with ground-
    based radars to transmit key information to users. In 2018, Congress
    directed the Department of Transportation to demonstrate the
    performance of a backup and complementary Positioning, Navigation, and
    Timing (PNT) system.

        Ms. Oz, if confirmed, how will you lead DOT to work with
    interagency partners such as DOD and DHS to demonstrate and advance a
    backup GPS capability?
        Answer. Since I'm not yet at the agency, I'm not aware of current
    backup GPS capabilities available. If confirmed, I will work with
    appropriate interagency partners to analyze this effort.
                                     ______

      Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to
                               Michael Rutherford
        Question 1. If confirmed, you will be tasked with updating the
    National Freight Strategic Plan, which outlines the DOT's policy goals
    to improve the movement of freight. Memphis, Tennessee, is known as the
    Logistics Hub of America and Tennessee is a vital artery of commerce
    and supply chain resiliency for our Nation. Please discuss specifically
    how you plan to prioritize and support America's intermodal hubs, like
    Memphis, when you're building out the National Freight Strategic Plan.
        Answer. If confirmed, I would work closely with the Senate Commerce
    Committee, TDOT and the broader freight community to make certain that
    DOT properly assesses the needs and opportunities in Memphis and
    Tennessee more generally through the National Freight Strategic Plan
    assessment.

        Question 2. It is vitally important for you to visit Memphis and
    see the important logistics and transportation work that is occurring
    there. Will you commit to visiting Memphis in your role and engaging
    with our many stakeholders as you focus on DOT's strategic plan?
        Answer. If confirmed, I gladly look forward to visiting Memphis
    again.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
                               Michael Rutherford
        Freight investments in the surface transportation reauthorization.
    Four out of 10 jobs in my state are in freight dependent industries.
    Freight cannot wait in the Pacific Northwest. Delays cost money for
    consumers, farmers and manufacturers. That is why I championed historic
    investments in our Nation's freight infrastructure in the bipartisan
    infrastructure law including:

      1.  a 78 percent increase for the INFRA freight grant program,

      2.  a historic $2.25 billion in port infrastructure investments, and

      3.  for the first time in a surface transportation reauthorization--
            freight rail investments through my grade crossing elimination
            grant program and CRISI.

        Question 1. Yes or No: Do you think the next infrastructure law
    needs to continue funding for the INFRA grant program?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would use every resource available to DOT
    to ensure we can advance the mission of the Freight Office, which will
    include any funding and programs Congress authorizes in the next
    Surface Transportation Reauthorization.

        Question 2. Yes or No: Do you think the next infrastructure law
    needs to continue funding for the Port Infrastructure Development
    Program?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would use every resource available to DOT
    to ensure we can advance the mission of the Freight Office, which will
    include any funding and programs Congress authorizes in the next
    Surface Transportation Reauthorization.

        Question 3. Yes or No: Do you think the next infrastructure law
    needs to continue funding for the CRISI Program?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would use every resource available to DOT
    to ensure we can advance the mission of the Freight Office, which will
    include any funding and programs Congress authorizes in the next
    Surface Transportation Reauthorization.

        Question 4. Yes or No: Do you think the next infrastructure law
    needs to continue funding for the Railroad Crossing Elimination grant
    program?
        Answer. If confirmed, I would use every resource available to DOT
    to ensure we can advance the mission of the Freight Office, which will
    include any funding and programs Congress authorizes in the next
    Surface Transportation Reauthorization.

        Question 5. How can DOT improve multimodal freight planning and
    coordination between the public and private sectors?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with state DOTs and engage the
    freight community-at-large, as appropriate, to ensure the success of
    the National Freight Strategic Plan.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
                               Michael Rutherford
        Question 1. Freight Bottlenecks. Efficient flow of freight across
    our transit systems is crucial to the competitiveness of our economy.
    When shippers are delayed by major congestion and outdated
    infrastructure, products don't arrive on time, businesses suffer, and
    costs for consumers go up.

        If confirmed, how will you work to address freight bottlenecks?
        Answer. The National Multimodal Freight Network draft process and
    the National Freight Strategic Plan, informed in part by the review of
    individual state DOT freight plans, will help to ensure that we drive
    and align on priorities across the federal, state and local levels.

        2. Container Supply Chain. During the pandemic, ocean carriers were
    unloading containers at American ports but refusing American exports
    and returning to Asia with empty containers. U.S. exporters saw the
    price of shipping containers increase four-fold, especially on Asia-
    Pacific routes. My Ocean Shipping Reform Act with Senator Thune worked
    to address these supply chain challenges by making it harder for ocean
    carriers to arbitrarily turn away goods at ports that are ready to be
    shipped abroad.

        If confirmed, how will you work to reduce supply chain disruption
    and enhance resiliency?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will use the Freight Logistics Optimization
    Works (FLOW) program to offer forward-looking supply chain visibility,
    enabling shippers to make timely decisions about how best to route
    their freight to destination in response to changes in the operating
    environment at our Nation's ports
                                     ______

       Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Tammy Duckworth to
                               Michael Rutherford
        Question. GAO released a report this week on air cargo. The report
    found DOT's Multimodal Freight Office--which is supposed to help reduce
    freight congestion--hasn't taken action to address challenges facing
    air cargo.
        In fact, it appears the office hasn't even been communicating with
    air cargo stakeholders or the FAA about infrastructure needs. According
    to GAO, ``Of the 30 stakeholders that responded to our question about
    coordination with DOT, none said they had communicated with the
    Multimodal Freight Office about air cargo issues. . .''
        If the office had been paying attention, it would have found, as
    GAO did, that there are a host of infrastructure problems causing
    congestion around airports. Poorly configured roadways and a lack of
    truck staging and parking areas are leading to trucks blocking traffic.
        Air cargo is huge for our Nation's economy. In 2022, it generated
    more than $106 billion in economic output and supported more than 1
    million jobs.
        Yet, DOT's Multimodal Freight Office appears to be doing nothing to
    address the critical surface transportation challenges to air cargo
    operations.
        DOT seems more focused on staff cuts than growing our economy and
    creating jobs.

        A. If confirmed, will you oppose staff cuts to the Multimodal
    Freight Office?
        Answer. I am not yet at the Department, and therefore, cannot
    testify to the staffing needs of any part of DOT.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to
                               Michael Rutherford
        The purpose of the Department of Transportation is to ensure that
    every form of transportation is safe for Americans.

        Question 1. Yes or No: Would you take an action that is in conflict
    with those goals due to political pressure?
        Answer. If confirmed, my primary goal would be to make freight
    transportation as safe and efficient as possible.

        Question 2. Yes or No: Would you go against a direct order from the
    President or his cabinet if you believed it put lives at risk or was
    illegal?
        Answer. The President of the United States and his cabinet would
    never put lives at risk or give illegal orders.

        Question 3. Yes or No: Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 2020
    presidential election?
        Answer. Former President Joseph Biden was certified as the winner
    of the 2020 presidential election and sworn in as the forty-sixth
    President on January 20, 2021.

        Question 4. Yes or No: Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 2024
    presidential election?
        Answer. President Trump was certified as the winner of the 2024
    presidential election and sworn in as the forty-seventh President on
    January 20, 2025.
                                     ______

     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to
                               Michael Rutherford
        Small businesses and retailers across the country rely on
    predictable supply chains for imported goods and services. Imports and
    key consumer products rely on railways, highways, and runways to
    deliver consumer products to store shelves or American's front doors.
    Since January, the President has announced a series of investigations
    across product sectors (e.g., aircraft parts, pharmaceuticals) while
    threatening to delay, pause, or issue new tariffs on imported goods
    from our trading partners.

        Question 1. Mr. Rutherford, what impact do you believe our tariff
    policies have had on the multi-modal freight network?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work to reduce congestion and increase
    performance of the multimodal freight network to ensure it continues to
    support importers, exporters, and domestic shippers. The Office of
    Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy does not address tariffs.

        Question 2. Mr. Rutherford, will you commit to working closely with
    small businesses to navigate any disruptions or bottlenecks in our
    multi-modal freight network?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with any stakeholders to improve
    disruptions and bottlenecks in our freight systems.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Fetterman to
                               Michael Rutherford
        Question 1. Pennsylvania has a vast system of inland waterways. In
    southwestern Pennsylvania alone, there are 200 miles of commercially
    navigable waterways, and Pittsburgh is home to one of the busiest
    inland ports in the Nation. Even so, our inland waterways are
    underutilized. Mr. Rutherford, what is your plan to incentivize
    shippers and carriers to increase their use of containers and
    palletized freight on our Nation's inland waterways? Do you see
    increased reliance of inland waterways as a means to decrease traffic
    on our roads and highways and address other potential bottlenecks in
    our supply chains?
        Answer. While shifting containerized freight by inland waterways is
    currently less common, it could provide benefits in specific
    circumstances. If confirmed, I look forward to exploring opportunities
    like these to better capitalize on our inland waterways.

        Question 2. Pennsylvania's three ports (Erie, Philadelphia, and
    Pittsburgh) move millions of tons in goods each year. These ports are
    critical to our supply chains and our national security. If confirmed,
    how will you prioritize opportunities for growth and infrastructure
    improvement at ports in Pennsylvania and across the nation?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that DOT prioritizes
    strategic investments in the broader context of changes in multimodal
    freight market trends to strengthen the economy in Pennsylvania and
    across the Nation.

        Question 3. The Port of Erie is a critical shipping hub along the
    Great Lakes. It's also a driver of jobs and economic opportunity in
    northwestern Pennsylvania. In your view, how should shipping and the
    movement of freight on the Great Lakes factor into our national freight
    strategy?
        Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the Great Lakes and St.
    Lawrences Seaway Administration to promote the use of Great Lakes ports
    as key contributors to our industrial revitalization.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
                                 Gregory Zerzan
        DOT's proposed new enforcement procedure. On May 16, 2025, the
    Transportation Department issued a proposed rule, ``Administrative
    Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures,'' which I believe
    significantly chills enforcement actions. This proposed rule creates a
    new process that would allow a company being investigated by the
    Department to accuse DOT inspectors of misconduct and then petition
    you, if confirmed as General Counsel, to intervene on the company's
    behalf. Alarmingly, the rule would authorize you to pursue disciplinary
    action against DOT investigators and other employees, such as
    suspensions, demotions, or even terminations. I have serious concerns
    that this new process may be used to retaliate against DOT inspectors
    and discourage robust enforcement of our safety laws.
        I understand my staff raised this proposed rule during your staff
    interview on July 21, 2025, so you are familiar with it.

        Question 1. Yes or No: Do you think this new process creates a
    chilling effect on enforcement?
        Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not familiar with
    the policy discussions that led to this proposal. In addition, because
    the rulemaking remains in the proposal stage it may appear
    predecisional for a nominee with potential policy or enforcement
    authority to comment on matters which may come under the purview of the
    office to which the person is nominated. However, if I am confirmed I
    commit to doing whatever is within my power to ensure the law is
    followed without fear or favor, partiality or prejudice.

        Question 2. Do you think exposing DOT safety officials to new
    personal liability like this will encourage them to pursue robust
    enforcement actions?
        Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not familiar with
    the policy discussions that led to this proposal. In addition, because
    the rulemaking remains in the proposal stage it may appear
    predecisional for a nominee with potential policy or enforcement
    authority to comment on matters which may come under the purview of the
    office to which the person is nominated. However, if I am confirmed I
    commit to doing whatever is within my power to ensure the law is
    followed without fear or favor, partiality or prejudice.

        Question 3. Yes or No: If confirmed, will you publicly disclose any
    petition a company files pursuant to this new process asking you to
    intervene in an enforcement matter?
        Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not familiar with
    the policy discussions that led to this proposal. In addition, because
    the rulemaking remains in the proposal stage it may appear
    predecisional for a nominee with potential policy or enforcement
    authority to comment on matters which may come under the purview of the
    office to which the person is nominated. However, if I am confirmed I
    commit to doing whatever is within my power to ensure the law is
    followed without fear or favor, partiality or prejudice.

        Question 4. Yes or No: If confirmed and this rule is finalized,
    will you publicly release detailed guidance on how you will enforce
    this new process?
        Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not familiar with
    the policy discussions that led to this proposal. In addition, because
    the rulemaking remains in the proposal stage it may appear
    predecisional for a nominee with potential policy or enforcement
    authority to comment on matters which may come under the purview of the
    office to which the person is nominated. However, if I am confirmed I
    commit to doing whatever is within my power to ensure the law is
    followed without fear or favor, partiality or prejudice.

        10 for 1 deregulatory requirement. In President Trump's first term,
    the requirement to repeal two Federal requirements for every new
    requirement delayed or obstructed DOT from completing important safety
    requirements. For instance, a requirement for aviation manufacturers to
    have mandatory Safety Management Systems to prevent safety risks
    languished on the previous General Counsel's desk despite its clear
    relevance to the Boeing 737 Max crashes.
        Now, this Administration is looking to repeal 10 safety
    requirements for every new one. There are a number of important
    bipartisan transportation safety requirements in the recent FAA
    reauthorization and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that would
    prevent crashes, save lives, and protect consumers.
        This includes common sense requirements like overhauling safety
    standards to prevent helicopter air tour crashes like the April Hudson
    River tragedy, automatic emergency brakes for large trucks, and
    preventing families from being charged extra fees to sit together on
    flights.

        Question 1. Should the 10 for 1 requirement apply to bipartisan
    life-saving safety requirements?
        Answer. I am not at the Department but it is my understanding that
    Secretary Duffy and the President are committed to ensuring the safety
    of the American people.

        Question 2. Will you commit to exempting congressionally mandated
    safety requirements from the 10-for-1 mandate?
        Answer. I commit to seeking to ensure that all rulemakings are
    consistent with the law as passed by Congress.

        Question 3. Please name 10 transportation safety requirements that
    you think should be repealed?
        Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not aware of what
    role, if any, the General Counsel will have in determining the
    appropriateness of individual safety standards, which may be a task
    best reserved for the relevant subject matter experts; however, it is
    my understanding that safety requirements are a priority for Secretary
    Duffy and the President.

        DOT workforce cuts and infrastructure investments. Politico
    recently reported that over 20 percent of the Federal Highway
    Administration and over 30 percent of the Federal Transit
    Administration have taken deferred resignation offers. These are the
    workers who approve NEPA documents, prepare grant agreements, and
    oversee grants to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.

        Question 1. Mr. Zerzan, as General Counsel, you will be responsible
    for approving grant agreements. I have heard from constituents who were
    concerned that the process to receive Federal funds was too slow
    before, how do you plan to ensure the efficient distribution of funding
    with this reduced workforce?
        Answer. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I will endeavor to
    ensure that funding is efficiently distributed consistent with the law
    and the direction of the Secretary.

        Question 2. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $350 billion
    for transportation projects--how will you work to prevent waste, fraud,
    and abuse of taxpayer dollars with a drastically reduced workforce to
    oversee these funds?
        Answer. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I will endeavor to
    ensure that funding is efficiently distributed consistent with the law
    and the direction of the Secretary.

        FAA Reauthorization Aviation Consumer Protections. After hearing
    directly from my constituents who had their travel plans ruined during
    the Southwest Airlines' meltdown, I knew we needed to make sure the
    flying public was not left holding the bag wondering if they would ever
    be made whole after getting their flight cancelled or delayed.
        Thanks to the FAA law, we ensured passengers are entitled to
    hassle-free refunds when their flights are cancelled or significantly
    delayed by an airline--no matter the cause. And we empower the DOT to
    be a strong cop on the beat by establishing a new Office of Aviation
    Consumer Protection and tripling fines for consumer protection
    violations.
        But I'm concerned that DOT will revert back to a 2020 Trump
    Administration rule that weakened airline oversight. We cannot afford a
    light-touch approach to consumer protections when Americans have
    experienced so many widespread travel disruptions in the past three
    years.

        Question 1. DOT must show they are committed to upholding and
    enforcing protections for everyday travelers. Yes or No: If confirmed,
    will you make protecting passenger rights a priority under your
    leadership?
        Answer. I will make protecting passenger rights a priority
    consistent with law and in accordance with the policy directions of the
    Secretary.

        Question 2. Our 2024 FAA law requires a stronger DOT approach to
    consumer protection. Yes or No: Do you commit to ensuring the Office of
    Aviation Consumer Protection gets fully stood up to protect passenger
    rights as required by the law?
        Answer. I commit to following the law as passed by Congress.

        Question 3. If confirmed, how would you leverage DOT's enforcement
    authorities to act on behalf of consumers who have had their rights
    violated by airlines?
        Answer. I will seek to ensure that all authorities are used to
    protect the rights of consumers, consistent with the law and the policy
    direction of Secretary Duffy. It is my understanding that Secretary
    Duffy and the President are committed to ensuring the rights of
    consumers are protected.

        Grant Review. The Trump Administration is in the process of
    reviewing 3,200 projects went through a rigorous selection process and
    were in the final stages of execution during the Biden Administration.
    Many of them were ready to go, but on day one, President Trump put a
    historic pause all 3,200 of those projects and created a new step in
    the grant approve process, requiring grants to be re-evaluated to make
    sure were not funding ``woke'' roads. As a result, grants that were
    selected under a fair and competitive process have been delayed.

        Question 1. Yes or No: Do you think it is fair to change the rules
    of the game and re-evaluate grants that have already been selected and
    announced based on criteria that weren't even part of the original
    application process?
        Answer. I believe it is the duty of the Department to follow all
    applicable laws.

        Question 2. Yes or No: Do you commit to improving the transparency
    of the Department's grant review process and working with recipients to
    get remaining grants obligated as soon as possible so that funds can
    start to benefit our communities?
        Answer. I believe it is important to follow the law as passed by
    Congress, including with respect to transparency.

        Question 3. Yes or No: Do you commit to making sure that DOT grant
    programs remain free from political bias and that projects under this
    Administration are selected based on merit?
        Answer. I believe it is important to follow the law as passed by
    Congress, including with respect to political bias.

        Immigration Cooperation to Receive Federal Transportation Funds.
    DOT sends billions of dollars every year to States and local
    communities for highways, airports, transit, ports, and all sorts of
    critical transportation projects.
        On April 24, 2025, Secretary Duffy issued a ``Follow the Law''
    letter to recipients of DOT funding stating that they are obligated to
    comply with all Federal laws, including cooperating with ICE in the
    enforcement of immigration law.
        Failure to follow those requirements could result in Federal
    transportation funding being terminated. I see this as just creating
    more red tape for construction projects.

        Question 1. As DOT General Counsel you will be providing legal
    advice to Secretary Duffy and your office will have final authority on
    questions of law for the Department. Do you believe the Federal
    government has the legal authority to compel States to cooperate with
    Federal immigration enforcement in order to receive critical
    transportation funding?
        Answer. It may be premature to discuss analysis related to legal
    authorities with respect to matters in which the United States may
    become a party to litigation.

        Department of the Interior ``M-Opinions.'' Mr. Zerzan, as the
    acting DOI Solicitor, you issued a memo on February 28, 2025, that
    placed every legal opinion by the Solicitor's office (known as ``M-
    Opinions'') issued under the Biden Administration under a ``Suspension
    Review.'' Twenty legal opinions were suspended, ranging from issues on
    migratory bird protections, mineral ownership in North Dakota, and land
    trusts for Alaska Natives. While previous solicitors in new
    Administrations have suspended or withdrawn certain M-Opinions, they
    had done so on a case-by-case basis.

        Question 1. What criteria, if any, did you apply when deciding
    which M-Opinions to suspend?
        Answer. I must respectfully demur with respect to questions related
    to the internal legal deliberations of the Department of the Interior.

        Question 2. Yes or No: If confirmed, do you plan on rescinding or
    otherwise targeting DOT legal decisions simply because they were issued
    during the Biden Administration?
        Answer. I commit to exercising legal judgments based on the
    substantive merits and applicable law and facts.

        Question 3. You also reinstated one M-opinion that a Federal
    district court ruled unlawful and vacated. Yes or No: Do you agree that
    an executive order does not give an agency the authority to violate a
    binding court order?
        Answer. Executive orders do not generally override court orders.

        Impartial Legal Advice. I understand you have held a personal
    friendship with Secretary Duffy for at least 15 years.

        Question 1. Please detail your relationship with Secretary Duffy,
    including when and how you become friends.
        Answer. I have known Secretary Duffy since he was a candidate for
    Congress. I consider him to be a patriot and a great American.

        Question 2. Yes or No: Do you agree that the role of DOT General
    Counsel is to provide sound legal guidance to advance the Department's
    interests, not any individual's personal interests?
        Answer. It is a fundamental principle of legal ethics that the duty
    of a lawyer is to uphold the interests of the lawyer's client,
    consistent with the law.

        Question 3. Will you commit to always providing impartial legal
    advice if confirmed?
        Answer. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I commit to
    upholding laws, rules and best ethical practices.
                                     ______

        Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
                                 Gregory Zerzan
        1. Oversight Cooperation. In previous administrations, the General
    Counsel has supervised Congressional oversight requests related to the
    Department of Transportation. The Department's cooperation is crucial
    to this Committee's work, including in investigating and working to
    prevent recent plane collisions and near-misses.
        If confirmed, will you work in good faith to provide prompt
    responses to congressional oversight as required by law?
        Yes.
                                     ______

      Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tammy Duckworth to
                                 Gregory Zerzan
        Question 1. Steven Bradbury was Department of Transportation (DOT)
    General Counsel during Congressional 737 MAX investigations, DOT did
    not cooperate with this committee's requests for documents and
    information.
        Chair Wicker's final report on our committee's investigation
    concluded, ``The level of cooperation by the FAA and DOT has been
    unacceptable and at times has bordered on obstructive.''
        The report specifically called out Bradbury's failure to produce
    relevant documents requested by Chair Wicker.
        If you are confirmed, Mr. Bradbury will be your boss at DOT.

        A. Why should this committee trust that you will be any more
    cooperative than Mr. Bradbury was with requests for documents and
    information?
        I cannot speak to the facts of the particular matter you mention,
    but I commit to work in good faith to provide prompt responses to
    congressional oversight as required by law.

        B. If confirmed, will you provide this committee with a breakdown
    of the number of Department of Transportation employees--by mode and
    job category--who have left or are scheduled to leave DOT employment,
    so far, this year? This is not a request for names or personal
    identifying information.
        I commit to work in good faith to provide prompt responses to
    congressional oversight as required by law

        Question 2. As you know, the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection
    (OACP) sits within the Office of General Counsel. The OACP handles
    complaints filed by flying passengers, including passengers with
    disabilities, who might want recourse when--for example--their
    wheelchair gets broken. Many of my priorities included in the FAA
    Reauthorization Act that was signed into law last year were intended to
    improve the travel experience for passengers with disabilities and
    would be implemented under the OACP. Please answer the following yes-
    or-no questions:

        A. If confirmed, will you ensure the various rulemaking
    requirements and issuance of sub-regulatory guidance required by the
    FAA Reauthorization Act, particularly under title V, will be published
    in the Federal Register on time? For any deadlines that may already
    have been missed, please list the date upon which we can expect to see
    these published.
        I commit to endeavoring to follow the law as passed by Congress.

        B. With respect to Sec. 549, which was a priority of Senator
    Baldwin and me, I am concerned about your past efforts to deregulate
    industries at other departments. If confirmed, will you ensure DOT will
    investigate disability-related complaints within 120 days of receiving
    the complaint, and notify the complainant and relevant airline of the
    facts underlying the complaint and any action DOT is taking in response
    to the investigation?
        I commit to endeavoring to follow the law as passed by Congress.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to
                                 Gregory Zerzan
        Question 1. The purpose of the Department of Transportation is to
    ensure that every form of transportation is safe for Americans. Yes or
    No: Would you take an action that is in conflict with those goals due
    to political pressure?
        I commit to follow the law as passed by Congress.

        Question 2. Yes or No: Would you go against a direct order from the
    President or his cabinet if you believed it put lives at risk or was
    illegal?
        I commit to follow the law as passed by Congress.

        Question 3. Yes or No: Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 2020
    presidential election?
        It is my understanding that Joseph Biden was certified the winner
    of the electoral college vote on January 7, 2021, thereby making him
    the lawfully elected President of the United States.

        Question 4. Yes or No: Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 2024
    presidential election?
        It is my understanding that Donald Trump was certified the winner
    of the electoral college vote on January 6, 2025, thereby making him
    the lawfully elected President of the United States.
                                     ______

     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to
                                 Gregory Zerzan
        The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included major programs designed
    to improve safety, strengthen the resiliency of supply chains that rely
    on rail, highway, or aviation modes of transportation and modernize
    critical infrastructure across each state. The American government
    includes a separation of powers where the Legislative Branch passes
    laws that, after enactment, are implemented by the Executive Branch. By
    next year, Congress and this Committee must decide on how we will
    reauthorize surface transportation programs to meet the needs of our
    states.

        Question 1.Mr. Zerzan, do you believe an Executive Order has the
    power to override the will of laws that are crafted by Congress? Why or
    why not?
        Executive orders do not generally override laws passed by Congress.

        Question 2. Mr. Zerzan, will you commit to advising Secretary Duffy
    to implement Federal policies, award discretionary grants or formula
    funds on a timely basis, and faithfully review project applications as
    intended by Congress?
        I commit to advising the Secretary to follow all applicable law.

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