WASHINGTON - President Obama on March 18 announced his intent to nominate UTU Illinois State Legislative Director Joe Szabo to head the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The formal nomination is expected to be sent to the Senate in the next few days. The Senate Commerce Committee will then schedule a confirmation hearing. A favorable recommendation on the nomination will send it to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote.
If confirmed, Szabo, age 51, would become the 13th FRA administrator since its founding as a Department of Transportation agency in 1967. The FRA administers and enforces federal rail safety laws and writes and enforces federal rail safety regulations.
UTU International President Mike Futhey, in congratulating Szabo, observed that Szabo is the first FRA administrator to come out of the ranks of rail labor. It is a validation that this Obama administration is a friend of organized labor."
Szabo is a fifth-generation railroader. He hired out with the Illinois Central (now part of Canadian National) in 1976, where he worked as a yard switchman, road trainman and commuter passenger conductor. In 1987, he went to Chicago Metra when IC sold its rail commuter division.
In 1984, Szabo was elected secretary/treasurer of UTU Local 1290, progressing to delegate and legislative representative. In 1992, he was elected vice chairperson of the Illinois State Legislative Board, and in 1996 elected state legislative director. He also has been serving as a vice president of the Illinois AFL-CIO.
He also has represented the UTU on the FRAs Rail Safety Advisory Committee, where he participated in the drafting of rail safety regulations.
In making the announcement, President Obama said that as the UTUs Illinois state legislative director, "Joe has provided vision and direction to rail safety and regulatory issues and worked with business and civic leaders in the advancement of freight and passenger rail service."
Obama also noted that Szabo had served as mayor of the Village of Riverdale -- a Chicago suburb -- "where he managed more than 100 employees and a budget of $9 million serving 15,000 residents."
The Senate's assistant majority leader, Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), said of the Szabo nomination, "I look forward to working with him to address our nation's next round of rail innovation."
A week ago, Obama named Karen J. Rae, a transportation executive with nearly 30 years' state and regional experience, as the FRAs deputy administrator. That position does not require Senate confirmation and she will begin work later this month.
Rae is currently deputy commissioner for policy and planning of the New York State DOT, a post she has held since June 2007, with responsibility for rail, aviation, and public transportation.
Her experience includes deputy secretary for local and area transportation at PennDOT, director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and general manager for the Austin, Texas, Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Earlier in her career, Rae was a ticket sales and tour representative for Adirondack Trailways, whose bus operators and mechanics are represented by the UTU.
In 2006, the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper said of Rae: "She is also known for taking a tough stand with CSX Corp., the Florida-based railroad that owns the tracks that run through the heart of Virginia. Rae said she was disappointed and frustrated with CSXs foot-dragging in starting a $65.7 million upgrade funded by the state. Her outspokenness led to a meeting between CSXs top executives, who apologized to then-Gov. Mark Warner."
Rae earned a B.S. in education from East Stroudsburg State College in Pennsylvania.
Following is a list of previous FRA administrators:
WASHINGTON The Association of American Railroads, which represents major rail carriers before Congress, has voiced its support of the UTUs Joe Szabo to be the next federal railroad administrator.
Szabo is President Obamas choice to head the FRA, and is awaiting Senate confirmation, which will be preceded by a yet to be scheduled hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee.
"We congratulate Joe Szabo on his nomination as administrator" of the FRA, said AAR President Ed Hamberger. "He brings a wealth of experience in the railroad industry to this assignment."
Also voicing support for Szabo is Richard Timmons, president of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.
"Szabo's railroad career spans work in both freight and passenger operations, as well as union leadership, which combined, prepare him to take the helm at FRA," Timmons said.
Support from the rail industry is essential to gaining Senate confirmation, as a single senator has the power to halt a confirmation vote on the Senate floor.
If confirmed, Szabo would be the 13th federal railroad administrator and the first to come out of the ranks of rail labor. He currently is UTU Illinois state legislative director.
