U.S. Department of Transportation Key Staff Appointments

Anthony Bedell, deputy assistant secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs

Anthony Bedell brings over 20 years’ experience in business and government relations to the Department. Bedell’s previous federal government experience includes serving as associate administrator for Congressional Affairs at the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as, a senior legislative officer at the Department of Labor from 2001-2005.

Michael Britt, senior advisor to the secretary for ATO Modernization

Michael Britt has been named senior advisor for ATO Modernization, one of the Trump Administration’s top priorities. Immediately prior to his appointment, Britt was vice president of corporate communications and government relations at UFC. Prior to that, he served as vice president of community and government affairs for Wynn Resorts. 

Chris Brown, associate administrator, Government and Industry Affairs, FAA 

Chris Brown has been named FAA’s associate administrator for Government and Industry Affairs. Brown most recently served as staff director at the House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on Aviation. He has previously served at the FAA as Associate Administrator and his experience also extends to positions as vice president, Legislative and Regulatory Policy at Airlines for America and as Senior Counsel of Legislative Affairs Practice Group for Manatt, Phelps & Phillips.

Geoff Burr, chief of staff

Geoff Burr has been named chief of staff. Prior to joining the Department, Geoff also served as deputy assistant secretary for Congressional & Intergovernmental Affairs under President George W. Bush. Outside of government, Geoff spent more than seven years at Associated Builders & Contractors, serving as their vice president of government affairs. He also served as vice president of government affairs for Cablevision. 

Thomas ‘Finch’ Fulton, deputy assistant secretary of Transportation Policy

A Capitol Hill veteran, Finch has served in the House of Representatives under Congressman Jim McCrery and John Fleming and in the Senate as a legislative aide for Senator Jeff Sessions. Most recently, Fulton was with VOX Global in Dallas Texas.

Wendy Gehring, director of scheduling

Wendy Gehring joins the Department of Transportation as director of scheduling after previously serving as special assistant at the Department of Labor between 2001 — 2007. Gehring obtained her MBA from the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University and has earned her PMP. Gehring has private sector experience from Fortune 100 to small business. Most recently, Gehring consulted with the Transportation Security Administration.

Laura Genero, senior ddvisor to the Secretary for Strategic Communications

Laura Genero has more than 25 years’ senior executive experience in government, having served as associate deputy secretary of Labor, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Humanitarian Affairs, and spokesman for the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.  

Todd Inman, director of operations

J. Todd Inman has been named the director of operations for the Department of Transportation. Inman, a native Kentuckian, brings over 20 years’ experience in the private sector as a small business owner and has served in a variety of organizational and leadership roles at the state and local level.

Ruth Drinkard Knouse, director of executive secretariat

Ruth Drinkard Knouse’s executive secretariat experience began at the Department of Transportation under Secretary Elizabeth Dole during the administration of President Ronald Reagan. Knouse served as director of the executive secretariat at the U.S. Department of Labor under George W. Bush.

Matthew Kopko, counselor to the deputy secretary

Previous to joining the Department, Matthew E. Kopko was an attorney in private practice in New York City, where he represented corporate clients on a variety of complex private equity, venture capital, infrastructure and M&A transactions. Kopko received his JD/MBA from the University of Chicago and his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Princeton University, where he wrote his thesis on infrastructure development.

Marianne McInerney, assistant to the secretary and director of public affairs

Marianne McInerney comes to the Department with 20 years of Transportation sector experience focused on the Electric Vehicle, New Energy, V2V and V2I technologies. Earlier in her career she served as president of the American International Automobile Dealers Assn and president of the National Business Travel Association.

Sean McMaster, deputy assistant secretary for congressional affairs

Sean McMaster previously served as professional staff in the Office of Oversight for the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. McMaster also served as deputy chief of staff for Congressman Mica where he managed the Congressman’s committee assignments and the development of Federal transportation policy and legislative initiatives.   

James Ray, special advisor to the secretary for infrastructure 

James Ray brings 20 years of leadership experience serving in various roles at the Department of Transportation, the White House Office of Management and Budget, and on Capitol Hill. Immediately prior to re-joining the Department, Ray served as a principal in KPMG's infrastructure consulting practice.

G. Bryan Slater, assistant secretary for administration

G. Bryan Slater is the assistant secretary for administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Previous to his current appointment, Slater served as the director of operations and facilities for Freedom Partners Shared Services. Throughout his highly lauded career, Slater has held many leadership positions within Federal and state governments.

Tamara Somerville, senior advisor

Tamara Somerville joins the Department of Transportation as a senior advisor, a role she previously held at the U.S. Department of Labor from 2004-2009. A veteran of Capitol Hill, Somerville’s service in the Senate included the positions of staff director for the U.S. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and chief of staff for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.