S.Hrg.119-356

1[Senate Hearing 119-356]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                        S. Hrg. 119-35656                   NOMINATIONS TO THE UNITED STATES7                     DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION89=======================================================================1011                                HEARING1213                               before the1415                         COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,16                      SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION17                          UNITED STATES SENATE1819                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2021                             FIRST SESSION2223                               __________2425                             JULY 23, 20252627                               __________2829    Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation3031                 [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]3233                Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov3435                               ______3637                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE383963-393 PDF                WASHINGTON : 20264041       SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION4243                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS4445                             FIRST SESSION4647                       TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman48JOHN THUNE, South Dakota             MARIA CANTWELL, Washington,49ROGER WICKER, Mississippi                Ranking50DEB FISCHER, Nebraska                AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota51JERRY MORAN, Kansas                  BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii52DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska                 EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts53MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee          GARY PETERS, Michigan54TODD YOUNG, Indiana                  TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin55TED BUDD, North Carolina             TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois56ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri               JACKY ROSEN, Nevada57JOHN CURTIS, Utah                    BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico58BERNIE MORENO, Ohio                  JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado59TIM SHEEHY, Montana                  JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania60SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia  ANDY KIM, New Jersey61CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming              LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware6263                 Brad Grantz, Republican Staff Director64           Nicole Christus, Republican Deputy Staff Director65                   Lila Harper Helms, Staff Director66                 Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director6768                            C O N T E N T S6970                              ----------71                                                                   Page72Hearing held on July 23, 2025....................................     173Statement of Senator Cruz........................................     174Statement of Senator Cantwell....................................     275Statement of Senator Curtis......................................   14276Statement of Senator Schatz......................................   14377Statement of Senator Lujan.......................................   14578Statement of Senator Moreno......................................   14879Statement of Senator Kim.........................................   1508081                               Witnesses8283Seval Oz, Nominee to be Assistant Secretary of Transportation for84  Research and Technology, United States Department of85  Transportation.................................................     486    Prepared statement...........................................     587    Biographical information.....................................     788Michael Albert Rutherford, Nominee to be Assistant Secretary,89  Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, United90  States Department of Transportation............................    5191    Prepared statement...........................................    5392    Biographical information.....................................    5493Gregory Zerzan, Nominee to be General Counsel, United States94  Department of Transportation...................................   12995    Prepared statement...........................................   13096    Biographical information.....................................   1309798                                Appendix99100Response to written questions submitted to Seval Oz by:101    Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................   155102    Hon. Bernie Moreno...........................................   156103    Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................   157104    Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   158105    Hon. Ben Ray Lujan...........................................   158106    Hon. John Hickenlooper.......................................   159107Response to written questions submitted to Michael Rutherford by:108    Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................   159109    Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................   160110    Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   160111    Hon. Tammy Duckworth.........................................   161112    Hon. Ben Ray Lujan...........................................   161113    Hon. John Hickenlooper.......................................   161114    Hon. John Fetterman..........................................   162115Response to written questions submitted to Gregory Zerzan by:116    Hon. Maria Cantwell..........................................   162117    Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   165118    Hon. Tammy Duckworth.........................................   166119    Hon. Ben Ray Lujan...........................................   166120    Hon. John Hickenlooper.......................................   167121122                   NOMINATIONS TO THE UNITED STATES123                     DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION124125                              ----------126127                        WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2025128129                                       U.S. Senate,130        Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,131                                                    Washington, DC.132    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:04 a.m., in133room SR-253, Senate Russell Office Building, Hon. Ted Cruz,134Chairman of the Committee, presiding.135    Present: Senators Cruz [presiding], Curtis, Moreno,136Cantwell, Schatz, Lujan, and Kim.137138              OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,139                    U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS140141    The Chairman. Good morning. The Senate Committee on142Commerce, Science, and Transportation will come to order.143    Today, we will be considering three of President Trump's144nominees for key roles of the Department of Transportation.145Seval Oz, nominee for Assistant Secretary of Transportation for146Research and Technology; Michael Rutherford, nominee for147Assistant Secretary of Transportation, for the Office of148Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy; and Gregory149Zerzan, nominee for General Counsel of DOT.150    Transportation is and will remain the backbone of global151economies. We are entering a new era defined by autonomous152vehicles, smart infrastructure, and AI-driven logistics. These153advancements are happening around the world and in some cases154elsewhere because the Federal Government has been so hostile to155innovation.156    President Trump and Secretary Duffy are faced with a huge157undertaking, having to fix the mistakes of the last four years158by modernizing regulations and enhancing safety standards. To159succeed, they need advisers who understand the promise and the160complexity of what lies ahead. Today's nominees fit the bill.161    Ms. Oz is a pioneer in transportation technology. At162Google, she helped develop autonomous vehicles. In Nevada, she163brought the private sector and government together to license164the state's first self-driving car. And as Assistant Secretary165of Transportation for Research and Technology, a newly created166role, she will help align DOT's research efforts for the next167generation of transportation.168    Mr. Rutherford's experience with nearly every freight mode169will serve him well as Assistant Secretary of Transportation170for the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy.171At CSX, a major freight railroad, Mr. Rutherford led a 140-172person team. He recognizes that optimized supply chains keep173cost down for consumers. If confirmed, he will work alongside174Secretary Duffy, state and local governments, and the private175sector to eliminate bottlenecks and secure freight networks.176    Finally, Mr. Zerzan brings valuable managerial experience177from his time in both the Legislative and Executive branches.178As the current acting solicitor for the Department of the179Interior, he oversees a large team of political appointees and180career civil servants. He will do the same at DOT, providing181impartial strategic counsel to improve our skies, roadways, and182waterways.183    These nominees are ready to help transform the American184transportation system through responsible innovation, lean185regulation, and a renewed focus on safety. I look forward to186hearing from them today.187    With that, I will turn to Ranking Member Cantwell for her188opening remarks.189190               STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,191                  U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON192193    Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And welcome to194the nominees, congratulations on that nomination.195    We are here today to consider, as the Chairman said, Mr.196Zerzan to be General Counsel at Department of Transportation;197Mr. Rutherford to be Assistant Secretary for the Office of198Multi-Freight Infrastructure and Policy; and Ms. Oz to be199Assistant Secretary for the Office of Research and Technology.200    These three positions are critical to the core mission of201the Department in improving safety and investing in our202Nation's infrastructure. The Department's leaders must be203committed to upholding--to holding the transportation sector it204regulates to protect safety and consumer standards.205    Mr. Zerzan, the General Counsel plays a critical role in206everything the Department does, determining which safety207requirements are approved or eliminated, signing off on grant208agreements, allowing cities and states to begin building209projects. I have recently expressed my concern about the now210Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury, who as General Counsel during211the first Trump administration, orchestrated a number of212rollbacks on important safety issues. And I hope to ask you213questions about that and look for a different approach.214    I am alarmed that the Department's recent formalization of215a new process that would authorize you, if you were confirmed,216to take actions against safety inspectors if a company claims217the inspector violated DOT's enforcement procedures, especially218allowing regulated entities to regulate the very officials219charged with keeping public safety.220    We found in the ODA process at Boeing, and this became a221very big issue where the ODA, individuals responsible for222approving the process, were retaliated against, and thereby223hold their punches and a lot of it, the rest of it is history.224So we need--we need a strong safety regime.225    Maintaining the strongest safety process does not just save226lives, it spurs economic growth, enables the U.S. to stay227competitive and certainly is essential for selling U.S.228airplanes abroad. Now, we continue to see a huge opportunity in229which we want aviation to win as there is a world demand for23040,000 planes.231    At the same time we have to address other sectors of232transportation. Last week we saw reports indicating the loss of233more than 20 percent of the Federal Highway Administration's234workforce, and 30 percent of the Federal Transit235Administration's workforce. So clearly this is impacting our236ability to move quickly in improving projects and getting them237implemented. So I love to ask you about that and how you expect238to turn that around so that DOT can continue to move forward.239    Mr. Rutherford, I created the Freight Office to improve240multimodal freight planning, that sounds like a generous staff241right there, I am not sure if I created it, maybe I had242legislation, and we all approved it or something like that.243    [Laughter.]244    Senator Cantwell. But let us not get Al Gore-ish here.245    The Chairman. We are happy to give credit to the former246Chair.247    Senator Cantwell. OK. Well, to be clear, our state had a248freight office, why, because if you moved freight in the state249of Washington you got a percentage of the gas tax, because250moving freight was part of economic development. So why not251prioritize transportation investment that moved economic252development?253    So yes, we did say let us create a Federal Freight Policy254which, Ray LaHood, and others, and we all did. So OK, great, so255now we know.256    Freight cannot wait. We had yesterday's hearing on the257Surface Transportation Act, similar issue where we are saying258if we are not competitive as a nation in moving freight259quickly, then we are going to lose, and in our case, to British260Columbia, or somewhere else, and then the competitive--of the261United States is impacted. So definitely want to continue to262make sure that freight investments are prioritized, and we263talked about that yesterday, as we prepare for a Surface264Transportation Act.265    Ms. Oz, the DOT's research programs are vital for using266technology to improve both safety and efficiency, and it is267important to recognize that the industry--that we continue to268work together to on the development of these issues and get269them implemented. One thing that we are really concerned about270now is the interference on--spectrum interference and radio271altimeters.272    When we look at what happened in the DCA air crash, there273was a lot of discussion even about how the altimeters of those274helicopters might have been affected giving them different275altitudes. And as the--for the previous implementation and276discussion between DOT and NTIA, a lot of confusion over how to277have the airline industry safely transmitting and the278interference that might occur with 5- and 6-G. So look forward279to asking questions about that.280    Clearly, we have a lot to do to continue to improve281transportation. I am excited about the opportunities, excited282about the continuation of drone technology which we have283championed here in the Committee for many years, and the284applications are so numerous and continuing to pay dividends.285So obviously DOT has a very big role here to continue the roll286out of that drone technology, and so look forward to asking287about that.288    Thank you Mr. Chairman.289    The Chairman. Thank you. I now recognize Ms. Oz for her290opening statement.291292              STATEMENT OF SEVAL OZ, NOMINEE TO BE293294             ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION295296   FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF297                         TRANSPORTATION298299    Ms. Oz. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and300distinguished Members of the Committee, thank you for the301privilege to appear before you today. I am deeply honored, and302to be candid, profoundly aware of the magnitude and urgency of303the task ahead. The challenges are formidable, but the chance304to shape the future of transportation and American innovation305is even more compelling.306    I would like to acknowledge President Trump's unwavering307commitment to ensuring that the U.S. Department of308Transportation showcases the very best of American innovation309and technology leadership. I wish to thank Secretary Sean Duffy310for his confidence in my leadership and entrusting me with the311responsibility of delivering the safest, most efficient, and312forward-looking transportation systems.313    I am grateful to my family and friends for their love and314support throughout my journey. My daughter, a proud John315Hopkins graduate, is currently performing opera overseas, and316while she could not be here today, I am blessed to be joined by317my friends and colleagues.318    I begin with a simple but bold premise, I believe in the319mission of saving lives. Every year, nearly 40,000 people lose320their lives in traffic collisions. That is approximately 100321lives every single day. Yet, 90 percent of these deaths could322be avoided with self-driving cars. We have the technology to323save thousands of American lives. So why are not we doing so?324For every year we wait, more lives are lost. It is not just a325matter of innovation, it is a moral imperative.326    I look forward to working with you on a national framework327to advance our transportation technologies, many of which were328made in America and hold the promise to prevent countless329fatalities. The thought of restricting mobility is also deeply330unsettling for me. Movement is as natural to me as breathing.331When we lose our ability to move safely, our world shrinks. Our332health, both mental and physical, suffers. We become isolated.333We have all experienced the awkward moment of taking the keys334away from our aging parents, or lying awake at night anxiously335waiting for our teenagers to return home safely.336    The promise of a new generation of transportation will be337about building better drivers, ones who do not get distracted,338never drive under the influence, possess superior perception,339and react in an instant. My role would be to set clear vision340for how evidence-based research and innovation drive341transportation policy and infrastructure toward practical,342achievable solutions that advance public safety and serve the343American people.344    I was born to immigrant parents who deeply value the345opportunities this country offered. I learned the importance of346having a meaningful plan fueled by determination, hard work,347and commitment. These values became the cornerstone of my348career, guiding me as I built high performance teams in the349dynamic fast-pace world of global technology.350    That journey led me to leadership roles with Silicon351Valley's most innovative companies. I joined Google X because352they shared my vision of merging advanced automotive hardware353with intelligent software to solve real world challenges, human354challenges. My experience in global partnerships proved355invaluable as I negotiated complex multi-party agreements that356brought together traditionally competitive, and yes, even357adversarial stakeholders.358    By strategically leveraging urgency and a well-placed fear359of missing out, I aligned diverse interests and secure critical360cooperation. In just 18 months, we accomplished what many361thought impossible, delivering the first self-driving vehicle.362I earned the trust and support of key stakeholders across the363state and local governments, town halls, law enforcement, and364emergency services. I am most proud of leading this365extraordinary collaboration, resulting in an autopilot platform366with an exceptional safety record.367    Building on that success, I transitioned to a global368automotive supplier with over 200,000 employees where I faced369new challenges, driving digital transformation within a legacy370industry. Looking ahead, I have been advising top AI and data371science teams to assess transformative technology frontiers.372Together, we can establish U.S. transportation as the gold373standard by developing AI models built on the American374automation stack. I am eager to mobilize my office's full375resources to enhance safety, efficiency, and innovation across376all modes of our Nation's advanced transportation network.377    I have been--in closing, I have been in the lion's den of378the $4 trillion automotive engine projecting to grow to $7379trillion over the next decade. The Department of Transportation380is our national pride for demonstrating U.S. leadership and381driving the economic engine of our Nation.382    This moment is not years away. It is now. I shared parts of383my journey with you today to underscore that everything I have384done academically and professionally has prepared me for this385precise moment. We stand at the threshold of a generational386opportunity that will define the future, not only of387transportation, but of American economic growth, innovation,388and global influence. Success will require competent and389skilled leadership to earn the public's trust.390    I respectfully ask for the support of the Senate Committee391on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in achieving these392vital goals.393    I look forward to answering your questions today.394    [The prepared statement and biographical statement of Ms.395Oz follow:]396397 Prepared Statement of Seval Oz, Nominee to be Assistant Secretary for398              Research, U.S. Department of Transportation399    Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and distinguished Members400of the Committee, thank you for the privilege to appear before you401today. I am deeply honored, and to be candid, profoundly aware of the402magnitude and urgency of the task ahead. The challenges are formidable,403but the chance to shape the future of transportation and American404innovation is even more compelling.405    I would like to acknowledge President Trump's unwavering commitment406to ensuring that the U.S. Department of Transportation showcases the407very best of American innovation and technology leadership.408    I wish to thank Secretary Sean Duffy for his confidence in my409leadership and entrusting me with the responsibility of delivering the410safest, most efficient, and forward-looking transportation systems.411    I am grateful to my family and friends for their love and support412throughout my journey. My daughter--a proud Johns Hopkins413undergraduate--is currently performing opera overseas. While she414couldn't be here today, I'm blessed to be joined by dear friends.415    I begin with a simple but bold premise: I believe in the mission of416saving lives.417    Every year, nearly 40,000 people lose their lives in traffic418collisions--that's approximately 100 lives every single day. Yet, 90419percent of these deaths could be avoided with self-driving cars. We420have the technology to save 10s of thousands of American lives--why421aren't we doing so? For every year we wait, more lives are lost. It's422not just a matter of innovation--it's a moral imperative.423    I look forward to working with you on a national framework to424advance our transportation technologies--many of which were Made-in-425America and hold the promise to prevent countless fatalities.426    The thought of restricting mobility is also deeply unsettling for427me. Movement is as natural to me as breathing. When we lose our ability428to move safely, our world shrinks. Our health, both mental and429physical, suffers. We become isolated. We have all experienced the430awkward moment of taking the car keys away from our aging parents, or431lying awake at night, anxiously waiting for our teenagers to return432home safely. The promise of the new generation of transportation will433be about building better drivers--ones who don't get distracted, never434drive under the influence, possess superior perception, and react in an435instant.436    My role would be to set clear vision for how evidence-based437research and innovation drive transportation policy and infrastructure438towards practical, achievable solutions that advance public safety and439serve the American people.440    I was born to immigrant parents who deeply valued the opportunities441this country offered. I learned early the importance of having a442meaningful plan, fueled by determination, hard work, and commitment.443These values became the cornerstone of my career, guiding me as I built444high-performance teams in the dynamic, fast-paced world of global445technology. That journey led me to leadership roles with Silicon446Valley's most innovative companies.447    I joined Google[X] because they shared my vision of merging448advanced automotive hardware with intelligent software to solve real-449world human challenges. My experience in global partnerships proved450invaluable as I negotiated complex, multi-party agreements that brought451together traditionally competitive, even adversarial stakeholders. By452strategically leveraged urgency--and a well-placed ``fear of missing453out''--I aligned diverse interests and secured critical cooperation. In454just 18 months, we accomplished what many thought impossible:455delivering the first self-driving vehicle.456    I earned the trust and support of key stakeholders across state and457local governments, town halls, law enforcement, and emergency services.458I'm most proud of leading this extraordinary collaboration resulting in459an auto-pilot platform with an exceptional safety record. Building on460that success, I transitioned to a global automotive supplier with over461200,000 employees, where I faced new challenges: driving digital462transformation within a legacy industry.463    Looking ahead, I have been advising top AI and data science teams464to assess transformative technology frontiers. Together, we can465establish U.S. transportation as the global gold standard by developing466AI models built on the American automation stack. I am eager to467mobilize my office's full resources to enhance safety, efficiency and468innovation across all modes of our Nation's advanced transportation469network.470    I have been in the lion's den of this $4 trillion global automotive471engine--projected to grow to $7 trillion over the next decade. The472Department of Transportation is our national pride for demonstrating473U.S. leadership in driving the economic engine of our Nation. This474moment is not years away-it is now.475    I shared parts of my journey with you to underscore that everything476I've done--academically and professionally--has prepared me for this477precise moment. We stand at the threshold of a generational opportunity478that will define the future not only of transportation, but of American479economic growth, innovation, and global influence.480    Success will require competent and skilled leadership to earn the481public's trust. I respectfully ask for the support of the Senate482Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation in achieving these483vital goals.484    I look forward to answering your important questions.485                                 ______486487                      a. biographical information488    1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Born: Seval489Oz.490    Also use Seval Ozveren (married last name)491    2. Position to which nominated: Assistant Secretary for Research492and Technology, DOT.493    3. Date of Nomination: March 10, 2025.494    4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):495496        Residence: Information not released to the public.497        Office: Information not provided.498499    5. Date and Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia.500    6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your501spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your502children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).503    Spouse: Not applicable. Daughter: Ruya, 21504    7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not505you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the506institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of507the degree.508509        Wharton School of Business, 1983-1985, MBA (Finance and510        Marketing), 1985511512        Wellesley College, 1979-1983, BA in Economics and Political513        Science, 1983514515        MIT Joint Program with Wellesley College, 1979-1983516517    8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,518name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all519management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to520the position for which you are nominated. (All management-level jobs521are indicated by an *)522523------------------------------------------------------------------------524525------------------------------------------------------------------------526Consultant (Vice         Ceramic.ai               2025-present527 President, Finance and  Mountain View, CA528 Business Development)529530Advising AI startup founded by former Google-AI leadership and531 scientists.532Developed the strategic plan focusing on Enterprise AI opportunities.533Established commercial relationships and scaled for market impact.534------------------------------------------------------------------------535Advisor                  Moove.ai                 2020-present536                         Lafayette, CO537------------------------------------------------------------------------538Independent Consultant   San Jose, CA             2016-present539------------------------------------------------------------------------540Founding Partner*        Archimede Ventures       2024-2024541                         San Jose, CA542------------------------------------------------------------------------543Board Member*            Microvision              2021-2023544                         Redmond, WA545546Gained executive experience while advising C-suite leadership and the547 Board of public company on business strategy focusing on automotive548 LIDAR and design of high-speed safety features for Original Equipment549 Manufacturers (OEMs).550------------------------------------------------------------------------551Advisor                  Pioneer Corporation      2019-2021552                         San Jose, CA553------------------------------------------------------------------------554CEO*                     Aurima, Inc.             2017-2019555                         Mountain View, CA556------------------------------------------------------------------------557CEO and Senior Vice      Continental ITS          2014-2017558 President*              Santa Clara, CA559560Continental ITS provided me with extensive executive management561 experience with a full range of personnel management (responsible for a562 global team of approximately 200 people), organizational excellence,563 operational efficiency, quality assurance, financial, and fiduciary564 responsibilities.565------------------------------------------------------------------------566Senior Business          Google[X]                2011-2014567 Development Lead*       Mountain View, CA568569Google and Google[X] provided me with extensive industry intelligence,570 business acumen, and relationship management responsibilities for571 collaboration of cross-functional internal and external teams of572 engineers, scientists, and system developers.573------------------------------------------------------------------------574Vice President, Finance  Cuil, Inc.               2007-2011575 and                     Menlo Park, CA576Business Development*577------------------------------------------------------------------------578Cuil afforded me the opportunity to work with top Silicon Valley579 engineering teams in a start-up setting. I gained experience in problem580 solving and prioritization in a fast-paced technology development581 environment while managing cross-functional teams.582------------------------------------------------------------------------583Career Break                                      2003-2007584------------------------------------------------------------------------585Vice President,          Urban Media              2000-2003586 Finance*                 Communications587                         Palo Alto, CA588------------------------------------------------------------------------589Vice President, Finance  Versata, Inc.            1999-2000590 and Strategy*           Oakland, CA591------------------------------------------------------------------------592Advisor, VP Engineering  Berkeley Networks, Inc.  1998-1999593                         Milpitas, CA594------------------------------------------------------------------------595Formulated acquisition versus IPO financial models based upon optimal596 valuation scenarios leading to management's decision for a stock swap597 alliance with FORE, and subsequently GEC's $4.2 billion acquisition of598 FORE Systems.599------------------------------------------------------------------------600Executive Advisor        Berkeley Networks, Inc.  1998-1999601                         Milpitas, CA602------------------------------------------------------------------------603Principal*               Global Emerging Markets  1995-1998604                         Advisors, New York, NY605------------------------------------------------------------------------606Director, Institutional  Merrill Lynch & Co.      1992-1995607 Sales*                  New York, NY608------------------------------------------------------------------------609Vice President, Equity   Salomon, Inc.            1986-1992610 Trading*                New York, NY611------------------------------------------------------------------------612Teaching Assistant*      Wharton School           1984-1985613                         Philadelphia, PA614------------------------------------------------------------------------615Business Editor*         Wharton Journal          1984-1985616                         Philadelphia, PA617------------------------------------------------------------------------618Intern                   Booz Allen and Hamilton  1985619                         New York, NY620------------------------------------------------------------------------621Intern                   American Cyanamid Co.    1984622                         Wayne, NJ623------------------------------------------------------------------------624Documentary Reporter     WGBH                     1983625                         Boston, MA626------------------------------------------------------------------------627MIT News Study Group,    MIT                      1982628National TV Guide        Boston, MA629------------------------------------------------------------------------630Intern for Senator       U.S. Senate              1981631 William V. Roth, Jr.'s  Washington, DC632 Office633------------------------------------------------------------------------634Intern                   United Nations           1980635                          Association636                         Boston, MA637------------------------------------------------------------------------638639    9. Attach a copy of your resume. Resume attached.640    10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time641service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other642than those listed above after 18 years of age.643    In 1981, I interned with Senator William V. Roth, Jr, U.S.644Senator--DE, as a Foreign Affairs Assistant. I attended Senate Foreign645Relations Committee hearings, reported research findings, and prepared646material on a wide variety of topics debated in Congressional Hearings,647including OPIC, Iraqi nuclear facilities, and international terrorism.648    11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,649partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any650corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,651educational, or other institution.652653        Ceramic.ai, Consultant (VP Finance and Business Development)654655        Moove.ai, Advisor656657        Archimede Ventures, Founding Partner658659        Microvision, Inc., Board Member660661        Pioneer, Inc., Advisor (remote)662663        Aurima, Inc., Chief Executive Officer664665        Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems, LLC, Chief666        Executive Officer and Executive Vice President667668        Google [X], Senior Business Development and Global Partnerships669        Lead670671        Cuil, Inc. VP of Business Development and Finance672673        Urban Media Communications, Inc., VP of Finance and Strategy674675        Versata, Inc., VP of Finance and Strategy676677        Berkeley Networks, Consultant to VP of Engineering678679        Global Emerging Markets Advisors, L.P., Principal680681        Merrill Lynch & Co, Director of Emerging Market Equities682683        Salomon, Inc., VP of Equities684685        U.S. State Department Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)686        Program, Delegate687688        HealthCorps Foundation, Board of Advisors689690        Family Grandchildren Trust, Co-Trustee691692    12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or693currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,694political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously695affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization696(You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a697religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership698and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note699whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis700of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.701702        Zeta Alpha Society, President 1982-1983, Member since 1981703704        Wellesley College Alumni Association, Member since 1983705706        Women in Automotive Technology, Member since 2014707708        UPenn Alumni Association, Member since 1986709710        Endeavor Global Leadership Organization, Global Panel Selection711        Committee, International Panelist, 2010712713        San Francisco Opera, Patron since 2024714715        NASD registrations: Series 7,63 and 24 (1986-1995)716717        The Courtside Club, Los Gatos, CA, Member, 2000-2011718719        New York Public Library, Luncheon Committee Member since 2012720721        Connected Car Council (C3 Group), Council Member since 2014722        (Acquired by Informa 2018723724        Wharton School of Business--Wharton Interactive Media725        Department, Guest Lecturer and Panelist, 2010726727        Indian Institutes of Management (IIM), Menlo Park, CA, Steering728        Committee Member and Guest Lecturer, 2009729730    13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office731(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any732campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are733personally liable for that debt. No.734    14. List all memberships and offices held with and services735rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or736election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid737position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether738compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,739identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year740of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.741    Not applicable.742    15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign743organization, political party, political action committee, or similar744entity of $200 or more for the past ten years. None.745    16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary746society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition747for outstanding service or achievements.748749        Soroptimist International, Earthquake Volunteer Recognition750        Award, Adana, Turkey, 2024751752        The Most Influential Turkish-American Women Award, New York,753        NY, 2016754755        Automotive News 100 Leading Women Award, Detroit, MI, 2015--756        https://www.autonews.com/awards/2015-leading-women-seval-oz-757        continental-intelligent-transportation-systems-continental-ag/758759        Northeastern University, Women Who Inspire Speakers Series760        Award, Boston, MA, 2015761762        PWI Women in Technology Courage Award, San Francisco, CA, 2013763764        Google Bonus Award (5 consecutive awards) for the Creation and765        Production of the short film demonstrating self-driving car,766        Mountain View, CA, 2012767768        Google Bonus Award for Developing a Long-term Strategic Plan769        for the Google[X] Self-Driving Car Project, Mountain View, CA,770        2012771772        Barnette Miller Prize in Political Science, Wellesley College773        for Best Work in the Field of International Relations and774        Comparative Government, Wellesley, MA, 1981775776        BA, Political Science and Economics, Cum Laude, Wellesley777        College, 1983778779    17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,780Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,781individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when782possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the783publication when available.784785        Seval Oz, Clever Vehicles: The way we go online in our cars786        makes no sense, MIT Technology Review (February 18, 2015)787788        Seval Oz, Short film demonstrating Self-Driving Car for Google789        Inc., YouTube (2012)790791        Seval Oz, Global Equity and Derivative Trading: An Internal792        Trading Manual for Salomon Inc.'s Equity Desk, 1990793794    18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,795PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for796which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when797possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the798speech or presentation when available.799800        Featured Speaker, Rally International 2023, sponsored by801        Indiana Economic Development Corporation, Indianapolis, IN,802        2023803804        Keynote Speaker, The Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium805        (AVCC), sponsored by AVCC, Cambridge, United Kingdom, September806        2023. (PowerPoint)807808        Speaker, Roundtable on Autonomous Driving--Key Challenges with809        Seval Oz, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong,810        August 2021.811812        Panel Speaker, Roundtable on Autonomous Driving, sponsored by813        Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong, Hong Kong, August 2021.814815        Guest Speaker, Turkish Win Sponsored Corporate Event, sponsored816        by Turkish WIN, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2020.817818        Keynote Speaker, ITU Technology Summit and Award Ceremony ITU819        Presentation and Lunch, sponsored by Istanbul Technical820        University (ITU), Istanbul, Turkey, February 2020.821822        Discussion Panelist, Research Facility Visit, sponsored by GLG/823        Huawei, Shenzhen, China, January 2020.824825        Panel Speaker, Tokyo Motor Show, Tech Consultations and826        Workshops, sponsored by BPEA, Tokyo, Japan, October 2019.827828        Keynote Speaker, ADAS Expert Lunch Talk and Presentation,829        sponsored by NewStreet Research LLC, London, United Kingdom,830        August 2019.831832        Keynote Speaker, Digital Age Summit Keynote Speaker, sponsored833        by Capital Media Services, Istanbul, Turkey, April 2019.834835        Keynote Speaker, Ari Teknokent Workshop Lecturer, sponsored by836        ITU (Istanbul Technical University), Istanbul, Turkey, April837        2019.838839        Keynote Speaker, GLG-APAC Tour ``Pushing Autonomous Vehicles to840        The Finish Line With Seval Oz'', sponsored by GLG, Seoul, South841        Korea, March 2019.842843        Keynote Speaker, Roundtable Lunch--Speakers Series, sponsored844        by Gerson Lehrman Group, Hong Kong, March 2019.845846        Guest Speaker, March 13--APAC Roadshow and Roundtable Lunch847        Keynote Speaker, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong848        Kong, March 2019.849850        Keynote Speaker, International Women's Day Speech for GLG851        Consulting Services Keynote Luncheon Speaker on Tech, sponsored852        by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Sydney, Australia, March 2019.853854        Keynote Speaker, Rotary Club Lunch, sponsored by Rotary Club,855        Istanbul, Turkey, January 2019.856857        Speaker, AlphaSights/BCG Sponsored Neom Land Mobility Workshop,858        sponsored by AlphaSights/BCG, Barcelona, Spain, November 2018.859860        Guest Speaker, Guest Lecture Ozyegin University, sponsored by861        Ozyegin University, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2018.862863        Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: Who Will Win The Autonomous864        Vehicles Arms Race? Presentation On Autonomous Vehicle865        Overview, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), London,866        United Kingdom, July 2018.867868        Keynote Speaker, Global Women In Technology, sponsored by869        Turkish WIN (London chapter), London, United Kingdom, July870        2018.871872        Speaker, Roundtable: Beyond The Connected Car: Autonomous873        Vehicle Ecosystem, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG),874        Seoul, South Korea, May 2018.875876        Keynote Speaker, BNP Paribas Conference, sponsored by GLG, Hong877        Kong, May 2018.878879        Speaker, Roundtable Discussions Where I Presented On State of880        AV Technology, sponsored by GLG, Hong Kong, May 2018.881882        Keynote Speaker, BNP Paribas Conference, sponsored by GLG,883        Singapore, Singapore, May 2018.884885        Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: Beyond The Connected Car:886        Autonomous Vehicle Ecosystem, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group887        (GLG), Beijing, China, May 2018.888889        Guest Speaker, Sell-Side Call: With Seval Oz On Robotaxis,890        sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), London, United891        Kingdom, February 2018.892893        Keynote Speaker, Hurdles for Autonomous Driving Technology894        Roundtable: The Future of Automotive (Toronto), co-sponsored by895        Gerson Lehrman Group/AAA, Toronto, Canada, June 2017.896897        Speaker/Moderator, South By Southwest (SXSW) Annual Conference,898        Austin, TX, March 2017.899900        Guest Speaker, Roundtable: The Road to Autonomous Driving: New901        Technology Developments, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group902        (GLG), Hong Kong, February 2017.903904        Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: The Road to Autonomous Driving:905        Technology Developments (Singapore), sponsored by Gerson906        Lehrman Group (GLG), Singapore, Singapore, January 2017.907908        Panel Speaker, Autonomous Driving/AI Technology Roundtable,909        sponsored by GLG, Tokyo, Japan, January 2017.910911        Opening Keynote Speaker, ITS America Annual Conference and912        Expo, San Jose, June 2016.913914        Opening Keynote Speaker, ITS World Congress (22nd Annual), co-915        hosted by ERTICO and ITS Asia Pacific, Bordeaux, France,916        October 2015.917918        Keynote Speaker, Frankfurt Motor Show, sponsored by Continental919        AG, Frankfurt, Germany, September 2015.920921        Panel Speaker, Digital Web Summit Conference, sponsored by Web922        Summit Conference, Dublin, Ireland, November 2014.923924        Panel Selectionist, Endeavor.Org Annual Global Meeting,925        sponsored by Endeavor.org, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2012.926927        Keynote Speaker, Turkish Women's International Network--928        Microsoft Office, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2012.929930        Keynote Speaker, Turkish Women's International Network (Global)931        UK Chapter, sponsored by Turkish chapter of WIN (Women In932        Networking), London, United Kingdom, July 2012.933934        Delegate for Google, Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC)935        Conference, sponsored by U.S. State Department, Saint936        Petersburg, Russia, June 2012.937938        Guest Speaker and Panelist, Mentorship, Social Media and939        Corporate Development in Silicon Valley, Indian Institutes of940        Management (IIM), 2009941942    19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten943years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and944television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position945for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to946each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a947digital copy of the statement when available.948    I have made many public statements during the past fifteen years on949a wide range of topics, mostly addressed to autonomous vehicles and new950technology matters not directly relevant to DOT or the position of951Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.952953        Press Release, September 2023 (https://avcc.org/954        avcc2023_keynotes/)955956        Press Release, September 2023 (https://fox2now.com/business/957        press-releases/ein-presswire/656381965/arm-automotive-vp-suraj-958        gajendra-and-automated-vehicle-pioneer-seval-oz-to-deliver-959        keynotes-at-avcc2023/)960961        Podcast (Autonomous Roadblocks), Double Take, by Newton962        Research, November 2022 (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/963        autonomous-roadblocks/id14964        89131403?i=1000585324297)965966        Webinar, The Future of Movement, What's Next, by Reddit, April,967        2021 (https://www.reddit.com/r/MVIS/comments/mv3hyj/968        seval_oz_april_5_2021/)969970        Podcast (On the Move), Women in Automotive Technology, by971        Infoedge LLC, November 2020 (https://www.buzzsprout.com/972        1259042/episodes/6243379-seval973        -oz-senior-executive-advisor-at-pioneer-inc)974975        Interview, Fashion & Travel Magazine, 2019 (https://976        fashiontravelmagazine977        .com/a-passion-for-technology-seval-oz/)978979        Press Release, March 2021 (https://ir.microvision.com/news/980        press-releases/detail/327/seval-oz-joins-microvision-board-of-981        directorsdirector)982983        TEDx Talk, ``Changing the Way We Drive,'' Napa Valley, CA, 2014984        (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0NKkO3ZLPw)985986        Autonews Profile, 2015 (https://www.autonews.com/awards/2015-987        leading-988        women-seval-oz-continental-intelligent-transportation-systems-989        continental-ag/)990991        The Future of Disruptive Technologies on Vehicles, Northeastern992        University, Boston, MA, 2015 (https://www.youtube.com/993        watch?v=p9GwS36I4lQ)994995        ITS America Annual Conference, San Jose, CA, 2016 (https://996        youtube/YJFCTp997        MwliI?si=PN78NEES0L0zVXwV)998999        PR Newswire Press Release, August 2014 (https://1000        www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/continental-combines-key-1001        strengths-in-silicon-valley-for-pioneering-work-on-networked-1002        transportation-271668481.html)10031004        Podcast, Future of Publishing Conference, by Knowledge at1005        Wharton, 2010 Podcast (Knowledge at Wharton), Cuil's Seval Oz1006        Ozveren: Creating the Next Generation of Internet Search, 20101007        (https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/podcast/knowledge-at-1008        wharton-podcast/cuils-seval-oz-ozveren-creating-the-next-1009        generation-of-internet-search/)10101011    20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other1012digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated1013an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your1014name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',1015including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used1016on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,1017deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.10181019        LinkedIn: seval oz--https://www.linkedin.com/in/sevaloz/10201021        Facebook: Seval oz--https://www.facebook.com/sevaloz10221023        Instagram: sevalioz--https://www.instagram.com/sevalioz/10241025        X: @sosevaloz10261027        Personal website: www.sevaloz.com10281029    21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified1030orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-1031governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject1032matter of each testimony. None.1033    22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major1034operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation1035to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment1036experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment1037to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish1038to serve in that position?1039    I believe in the mission of saving peoples' lives. I also believe1040transportation should showcase the best of U.S. technology. In America,1041we have already developed and released critical technology systems--but1042they still haven't been made fully accessible to the American public.1043If confirmed, I will dedicate this Nation's resources to adopt and1044accelerate deployment readiness of automated technologies for increased1045safety of the U.S. transportation network.1046    If confirmed, my mission as the Assistant Secretary for Research1047and Technology at the U.S. DOT will be to promote safety across all1048modes of transportation. My goal is to accelerate nationwide deployment1049of automated and safety devices to effectively end the preventable 941050percent of 39,345 motor vehicle deaths and 2.8 million injuries per1051year in the United States. In parallel, the office will be dedicated to1052deploying the agency's advanced research resources to enable1053transportation to become more efficient, more accessible, more1054affordable--all within the term of this Administration.1055    I led the automotive tech partnerships and business development1056teams on the foundational self-driving car platform at Google[X]. I1057drove collaboration between the software, mapping, hardware and route1058planning teams in building a robust automotive platform to release the1059first ever road worthy self-driving cars. I am proud to share that my1060team worked with Detroit based U.S. automotive OEMs to reduce the1061traditional 5-year new vehicle development cycle down to 18-24 months.1062Our software engineering teams in Silicon Valley and Detroit based1063hardware engineering teams, all dedicated to developing a near perfect1064track record of safety, were highly motivated to deliver autonomous1065vehicles on public roads. I worked with Nevada DMV and municipal law1066enforcement to draft the first fully autonomous vehicle licensing1067legislation. I worked closely with the State of California to enable1068automated vehicle testing which resulted in the passage of Senate Bill1069(SB1298).1070    If I am fortunate to serve as the head of OST-R, I am confident1071that my team will inspire our finest scientists and graduate students1072with aligned and rewarded performance-based research tied to U.S. DOT's1073goals. I worked closely with the expert engineering software teams1074across the Nation some of who won the U.S. Government's DARPA and DARPA1075Grand Challenge million-dollar prize monies and transferred their1076talents into a multi-billion dollar new autonomous business. I will1077also be responsible for the continuous production of outcomes-oriented1078research from the OST-R program offices. High quality research data1079leads to relevant solutions, which informs robust, evidence-based1080policies. My firsthand knowledge of integrating ADAS (Advanced Driver1081Assistance System), perception software, and other highly technical1082end-to-end systems has given me the vantage to evaluate the different1083technical programs that may be presented to the Department.1084    One of my primary responsibilities will be to leverage the U.S.1085DOT's research, development, and technology investments to implement1086rapid research-to-deployment cycles. I share the transportation1087industry's collective frustration at the slow pace of technology1088adaptation. The U.S. DOT's world-class resources, including HASS COE,1089Volpe, ITS Joint Program Office, and ARPA-I, will be utilized as the1090foundational assets to build and invest in our transportation future.1091Our interdisciplinary approach will be more aligned to solve for new1092fields of problems. I will use my experience to accelerate the adoption1093of safety and operational technologies into our Nation's transportation1094system. As AI becomes ubiquitous, transportation is positioned to1095become one of the first scaled customer-facing interfaces to the1096physical world. The U.S. DOT should be and will become the launchpad1097for new AI driven technology.1098    23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to1099ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper1100management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in1101managing a large organization?1102    My responsibilities would be to position the U.S. transportation1103system to become the world's safest and most technologically advanced1104system through strategic investments to prepare us for the 22nd1105century. I plan to bring the full resources of the Department's1106extensive research centers to focus on our core mission while1107eliminating redundant research. My success at revolutionizing the rapid1108digital transformation of Continental AG, a 200,000-employee global1109Tier-1 automotive supplier's global business was attributed to1110onboarding tiger teams of hundreds of software engineers operating on1111short sprints with tight operating budgets to deliver our first1112products and services. This process taught me how to align and1113integrate heterogeneous workforces to revolutionize the pace of1114innovation. I was instrumental in transforming this hardware automotive1115giant into a leading transportation technology company-preparing them1116for the next wave of data driven mobility services.1117    If confirmed, I will coordinate a consortium of self-driving and1118V2X engineers and other visionaries drawn from DoD, DOE, DOC and ARPA-1119I. I will first present the vision and lay out mission tasks for which1120the U.S. DOT requires consensus on standards of interoperability,1121inter-departmental data sharing, and regulation reconfiguration. This1122short list is by no means comprehensive but serves to illustrate the1123purpose of the task force objectives.1124    My experience started in business development, partnerships that1125subsequently led to senior executive and finally board advisory roles.1126With my MBA from the Wharton School in Finance and Marketing, my prior1127work experience in investment banking, and later technology business1128development for hardware, software and AI companies, I am well versed1129in both management and marketing of innovative transportation1130technology.1131    I am eager to get started and will work hard to ensure that my1132responsibilities translate into executing on policy guidelines set1133forth by Deputy Secretary Bradbury, Secretary Duffy, and President1134Trump. Transparency and effective communication across agencies is1135paramount to ensuring we bring to bear the full extent of our1136innovation research and grant programs to upgrade and modernize our1137infrastructure.1138    24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the1139department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?1140    I am convinced that when people cannot move freely, their liberty1141is constrained, their connections to society erode, and they eventually1142stagnate. Safe, affordable, on-demand mobility should be a basic right1143for every citizen.1144    As we reset our goals, there are three primary challenges we must1145confront head-on:11461147    First, coordinating a broad and complex ecosystem to deliver a1148future-forward mobility system requires the alignment of an1149exceptionally wide range of professionals, agencies, and organizations.1150This effort demands strong leadership, the ability to manage cross-1151sector collaboration, and the willingness to find consensus amid1152competing priorities. Achieving this at scale will test our management1153systems and our capacity to lead with clarity.1154    Next, it is essential to communicate the OST-R mission across a1155diverse stakeholder landscape. To advance DOT's technology mission, we1156must effectively engage decision-makers from the Executive Branch,1157Congress, state governments, industry, and--most importantly--the1158American public. Gaining traction will require more than technical1159know-how; it will require credibility, clear and compelling1160storytelling, and trust-building with every stakeholder group. Respect1161for the ecosystem and precision in communication will be essential.1162    Finally, it is essential to modernize the government for speed and1163impact. Like many agencies, OST-R is large and not inherently designed1164for rapid transformation. Some legacy programs may no longer serve1165today's needs, while emerging priorities--like creating safe, seamless1166intermodal systems--require immediate focus. We must be willing to1167reassess and right-size our efforts. I aim to bring an entrepreneurial1168mindset to foster alignment between engineers, regulators, and policy1169leaders so that we can meet urgent safety and efficiency goals.1170                   b. potential conflicts of interest1171    1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation1172agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,1173clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement1174accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.1175    I have a 401K plan that was part of my previous employment;1176however, there has been no employer contributions to the plan since11772014.1178    2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,1179to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,1180association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,1181please explain.1182    I have several on-going consulting contracts. Any potential1183conflicts of interest involving these arrangements will be resolved1184consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement that I will enter1185into with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be1186provided to this Committee.1187    3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other1188relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in1189the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will1190resolve each potential conflict of interest.1191    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with1192the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation1193(DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts1194of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved1195consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I will enter into1196with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided1197to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of1198interest stemming from investments, obligations, liabilities or other1199continuing relationships.1200    4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial1201transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for1202yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in1203any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the1204position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve1205each potential conflict of interest.1206    The entities with whom I have had business relationships over the1207last ten years, and beyond that time period, are described in my1208responses to Questions A.8 and A.11. This includes Ceramic.ai,1209Moove.ai, Archimede Ventures, Microvision, Pioneer Corporation, Aurima,1210Inc., Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Guidepoint Global Services, Coleman1211Research, ThirdBridge, AlphaSights, and Continental ITS. To the extent1212that these positions meet the reporting requirements for the OGE Form1213278e (Nominee Report), they have been included on my Nominee Report. In1214connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with the1215Office of Government Ethics and the DOT Designated Agency Ethics1216Official to identify potential conflicts of interest. Any potential1217conflicts of interest will be resolved consistent with the terms of an1218ethics agreement I will enter into with the DOT Designated Agency1219Ethics Official, which will be provided to this Committee. I am not1220aware of any other potential conflicts of interest.1221    5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain1222how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.1223    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with1224the Office of Government Ethics and the DOT Designated Agency Ethics1225Official to identify potential conflicts of interest. Any potential1226conflicts of interest will be resolved consistent with the terms of an1227ethics agreement I will enter into with the DOT Designated Agency1228Ethics Official, which will be provided to this Committee. I am not1229aware of any other potential conflicts of interest.1230    6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the1231names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the1232purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or1233modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and1234execution of law or public policy. None.1235                            c. legal matters1236    1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,1237professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a1238complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special1239Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary1240committee, or other professional group? If yes:12411242  a.  Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or1243        group.12441245  b.  Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or1246        personnel action was issued or initiated.12471248  c.  Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or1249        personnel action;12501251  d.  Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,1252        complaint, or personnel action.12531254    No.1255    2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by1256any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,1257State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for1258a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain.1259    In February 2004, I had an incident at a local grocery store where1260I paid for my groceries; however, I overlooked an item in my cart.1261While I never left the store with the item, a security guard brought1262this to my attention and had to report the incident. The matter was1263discharged and dismissed.1264    3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were1265an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency1266proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please1267explain.1268    2021: Small claims court dispute for security deposit withheld from1269my tenant for property damages. A settlement was reached between the1270two parties, and I returned payment of $3751.60 to the tenant (on April127123, 2022).1272    2011: The lien was put on my property during the marriage1273dissolution by opposing counsel for my husband's unpaid bills which1274were held in jointly. The satisfaction of judgement and release of the1275lien document was made to the best of my knowledge.1276    1995: During the nomination process, I have been made aware of a1277prior judgment from the NY State Dept. of Taxation and Finance from1278June 1995. On June 2, 2025, I was informed by the NY State Dept. of1279Taxation and Finance that my record is in good standing and that I have1280a zero balance.1281    4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo1282contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic1283offense? If so, please explain. No.1284    5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual1285assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,1286race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain. No.1287    6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,1288favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in1289connection with your nomination. None.1290                     d. relationship with committee1291    1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/1292corporation complies with deadlines for information set by1293congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/1294corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information1295from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in1296the minority?1297    Yes, I will ensure to respond to such requests for information as1298appropriate.1299    2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/1300corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and1301whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.1302    3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested1303witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with1304firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee?1305    Yes, to the extent consistent with legal and customary1306requirements.1307    4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly1308constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be1309reasonably requested to do so? Yes.1310                                 ______13111312                           Resume of Seval Oz1313                      www.linkedin.com/in/sevaloz1314PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE1315Ceramic.ai, Mountain View, CA    2025-present1316Consultant (VP Finance and Business Development)1317   Advising the Business Development and go-to-market strategy,1318        including working closely with the leadership team to refine1319        value propositions, identify key opportunities, and establish1320        commercial relationships for scaling market impact.13211322Moove.ai, Lafayette, CO    2020-present1323Advisor1324   Advised management on business strategy and technical1325        matters.13261327Archimede Ventures, San Jose, CA    2024-20241328Founding Partner1329   Founder of early-stage Artificial Intelligence (AI) software1330        fund focused on global logistics, delivery, routing, Advanced1331        Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), and robotics industry1332        investments.13331334Independent Consultant, San Jose, CA    2016-present1335   Served as an independent consultant providing business,1336        financial, and technical analyses through several expert1337        network companies.13381339Microvision, Inc., Redmond, WA    2021-20231340Board Member1341   Advised senior leadership and the Board on business1342        strategies focusing on automotive Lidar technologies and design1343        of high-speed safety features for Original Equipment1344        Manufacturers (OEMs).13451346Pioneer, Inc., Tokyo, Japan    2019-20211347Advisor (remote)1348   Served as the investor's Senior Advisory Consultant and1349        liaison to senior leadership and operating teams building next1350        generation electric vehicle systems, while directly supervising1351        corporate development and business partnerships.13521353Aurima, Inc., Mountain View, CA    2017-20191354Chief Executive Officer1355   Led the development of this startup focusing on camera-radar1356        sensor fusion using radar algorithmic processing and machine1357        learning for ADAS and autonomous drive platforms, while later1358        managing the transition process into camera-radar hardware1359        development business line.13601361Continental Intelligent Transportation Systems, LLC, Santa Clara, CA13622014-20171363Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President1364   Built a new Business Unit for Continental AG based in the1365        U.S. with a growth target of =100M with an annual budget of1366        =37M. Starting from zero, hired and led a team of 150 software1367        engineers in 2.5 years.1368   Transformed Continental AG's services into a cloud-based1369        mobility platform, ADAS mapping, remote vehicle access, vehicle1370        diagnostics and Smart Cities infrastructure.13711372Google [X] Self Driving Car Program, Mountain View, CA    2011-20141373Senior Business Development and Global Partnerships Lead1374   Responsible for all business development initiatives and1375        strategic partnerships for hardware business, while also1376        serving as the executive for contract negotiations under the1377        technology integration program.1378   Served as the principal responsible for the entire1379        partnership portfolio supporting California policy initiatives,1380        which included city management and market development1381        analytics.13821383Cuil, Inc. (acquired by Google in 2011), Menlo Park, CA    2007-20111384VP of Business Development and Finance1385   Managed all partnerships, corporate development, strategic1386        funding, and internal financial planning and developed a1387        product roadmap to align corporate technical expertise with top1388        line growth strategy.13891390Career Break 2003-20071391   Took an extended break to focus on family and other1392        interests.13931394Urban Media Communications, Inc., Palo Alto, CA    2000-20031395VP of Finance and Strategy1396   Principal responsible for all funding and strategic1397        negotiations. Secured $32M in venture lending facility and $60M1398        in strategic equity round at $150M valuation.13991400Versata, Inc., Oakland, CA    1999-20001401VP of Finance and Strategy1402   Closed four acquisitions, maximized pre-IPO market1403        capitalization, while managing investment banking relationships1404        to bring the company public.14051406Berkeley Networks, Milpitas, CA    1998-19991407Consultant to VP of Engineering1408   As senior advisor, formulated acquisition versus IPO1409        financial models based upon optimal valuation scenarios leading1410        to management's decision for a stock swap alliance with FORE,1411        and subsequently GEC's $4.2 billion acquisition of FORE1412        Systems.1413FINANCE AND WALL STREET EXPERIENCE1414Global Emerging Markets Advisors, L.P., New York, NY    1995-19981415Principal1416   Involved in all aspects of business development including1417        marketing, sales, trading, research and administration for the1418        global emerging markets debt and equity fund, GEM Opportunity1419        Fund Ltd.14201421Merrill Lynch & Co, New York, NY    1992-19951422Director of Emerging Market Equities1423   Lead Merrill Lynch's worldwide institutional research sales1424        effort in Latin America enabling the firm to rank number one in1425        international underwriting. Coordinated privatizations of1426        Telcos, Telebras, TelMex, Telefonica de Argentina, and other1427        major corporate issuers in Latin America.14281429Salomon Brothers, Inc., New York, London, Frankfurt, Tokyo, Hong Kong14301986-19921431VP of Equities1432   Managed global emerging markets equity desk.1433VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENTS1434U.S. State Department Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Program,1435Washington, DC1436Delegate1437   Represented Google and Continental, respectively, at the1438        APEC Women's Conference for establishing economic equality1439        measures for Women in the Global Economy.14401441HealthCorps Foundation, New York, NY1442Board of Advisors1443   Providing strategic direction to the Dr. Oz family1444        foundation for its public and private national service program1445        in 52 schools across the United States.14461447Connected Car Council (C3 Group)1448Council Member1449   Frequent speaker at global auto shows, South by Southwest1450        (SXSW), Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and Fortune 5001451        Executive Conferences.14521453Wharton School of Business, Philadelphia, PA1454Wharton Interactive Media Department Guest Lecturer1455   Lecturer on ``Search, New Media and its Monetization'' as1456        part of a Monetizing Emerging Interactive Media class in the1457        new Wharton Interactive Media Initiative.1458EDUCATION1459   MBA, Finance and Marketing double major, The Wharton School1460        of Business, University of Pennsylvania14611462   BA, Political Science and Economics, Wellesley College/MIT1463        Joint Program, cum laude14641465PATENTS (developed during tenures with Google [X] Self Driving Car1466Program and Continental ITS)14671468  1.  Geo-proximity vehicle alert and access system for security and1469        package exchange efficiency US9821768B2 (2015).1470         Lead Inventor1471         Status: Granted14721473  2.  Technological and Financial Partnerships to Enable a Package1474        Exchange Service US20160098670A1 (2015).1475         Lead Inventor1476         Status: Published14771478  3.  Hacker security solution for package transfer to and from a1479        vehicle US20160099927A1 (2015).1480         Lead Inventor1481         Status: Granted14821483  4.  End to end system for service delivery to and from a vehicle1484        using a dongle US10002479B2 (2015).1485         Lead Inventor1486         Status: Granted14871488  5.  Package Exchange and Service System Using a Key Fob Simulator1489        US20160098871A1 (2015).1490         Lead Inventor1491         Status: Granted14921493  6.  In-vehicle consumer purchase system, US10796351B2 WO2017035011A11494        (2016).1495         Co-Inventor1496         Status: Granted14971498  7.  Package exchange service using local delivery services1499        US20180240067A1 (2016).1500         Lead Inventor1501         Status: Granted15021503  8.  Usage-based vehicle leasing and other services with a dongle1504        module WO2017053047A1 (2016).1505         Lead Inventor1506         Status: Published15071508  9.  On-demand and on-site vehicle maintenance service US20180285832A11509        (2016).1510         Lead Inventor1511         Status: Granted1512                                 ______15131514SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS1515Featured Speaker, Rally International 2023, sponsored by Indiana1516Economic Development Corporation, Indianapolis, IN, 202315171518Keynote Speaker, The Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium (AVCC),1519sponsored by AVCC, Cambridge, United Kingdom, September 2023.15201521Speaker, Roundtable on Autonomous Driving--Key Challenges with Seval1522Oz, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong, August 2021.15231524Panel Speaker, Roundtable on Autonomous Driving, sponsored by Gerson1525Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong, Hong Kong, August 2021.15261527Guest Speaker, Turkish Win Sponsored Corporate Event, sponsored by1528Turkish WIN, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2020.15291530Keynote Speaker, ITU Technology Summit and Award Ceremony ITU1531Presentation and Lunch, sponsored by Istanbul Technical University1532(ITU), Istanbul, Turkey, February 2020.15331534Discussion Panelist, Research Facility Visit, sponsored by GLG/Huawei,1535Shenzhen, China, January 2020.15361537Panel Speaker, Tokyo Motor Show, Tech Consultations and Workshops,1538sponsored by BPEA, Tokyo, Japan, October 2019.15391540Keynote Speaker, ADAS Expert Lunch Talk and Presentation, sponsored by1541NewStreet Research LLC, London, United Kingdom, August 2019.15421543Keynote Speaker, Digital Age Summit Keynote Speaker, sponsored by1544Capital Media Services, Istanbul, Turkey, April 2019.15451546Keynote Speaker, Ari Teknokent Workshop Lecturer, sponsored by ITU1547(Istanbul Technical University), Istanbul, Turkey, April 2019.15481549Keynote Speaker, GLG-APAC Tour ``Pushing Autonomous Vehicles to The1550Finish Line With Seval Oz'', sponsored by GLG, Seoul, South Korea,1551March 2019.15521553Keynote Speaker, Roundtable Lunch -Speakers Series, sponsored by Gerson1554Lehrman Group, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, March 2019.15551556Guest Speaker, March 13--APAC Roadshow and Roundtable Lunch Keynote1557Speaker, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong Kong, Hong Kong,1558March 2019.15591560Keynote Speaker, International Women's Day Speech for GLG Consulting1561Services Keynote Luncheon Speaker on Tech, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman1562Group (GLG), Sydney, Australia, March 2019.15631564Keynote Speaker, Rotary Club Lunch, sponsored by Rotary Club, Istanbul,1565Turkey, January 2019.15661567Speaker, AlphaSights/BCG Sponsored Neom Land Mobility Workshop,1568sponsored by AlphaSights/BCG, Barcelona, Spain, November 2018.15691570Guest Speaker, Guest Lecture Ozyegin University, sponsored by Ozyegin1571University, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2018.15721573Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: Who Will Win The Autonomous Vehicles Arms1574Race? Presentation On Autonomous Vehicle Overview, sponsored by Gerson1575Lehrman Group (GLG), London, United Kingdom, July 2018.15761577Keynote Speaker, Global Women In Technology, sponsored by Turkish WIN1578(London chapter), London, United Kingdom, July 2018.15791580Speaker, Roundtable: Beyond The Connected Car: Autonomous Vehicle1581Ecosystem, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Seoul, South Korea,1582May 2018.15831584Keynote Speaker, BNP Paribas Conference, sponsored by GLG, Hong Kong,1585Hong Kong, May 2018.15861587Speaker, Roundtable Discussions Where I Presented On State of AV1588Technology, sponsored by GLG, Hong Kong, Hong Kong, May 2018.15891590Keynote Speaker, BNP Paribas Conference, sponsored by GLG, Singapore,1591Singapore, May 2018.15921593Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: Beyond The Connected Car: Autonomous1594Vehicle Ecosystem, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Beijing,1595China, May 2018.15961597Guest Speaker, Sell-Side Call: With Seval Oz On Robotaxis, sponsored by1598Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), London, United Kingdom, February 2018.15991600Keynote Speaker, Hurdles for Autonomous Driving Technology Roundtable:1601The Future of Automotive (Toronto), co-sponsored by Gerson Lehrman1602Group/AAA, Toronto, Canada, June 2017.16031604Speaker/Moderator, South By Southwest (SXSW) Annual Conference, Austin,1605TX, March 2017.16061607Guest Speaker, Roundtable: The Road to Autonomous Driving: New1608Technology Developments, sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), Hong1609Kong, Hong Kong, February 2017.16101611Keynote Speaker, Roundtable: The Road to Autonomous Driving: Technology1612Developments (Singapore), sponsored by Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG),1613Singapore, Singapore, January 2017.16141615Panel Speaker, Autonomous Driving/AI Technology Roundtable, sponsored1616by GLG, Tokyo, Japan, January 2017.16171618Opening Keynote Speaker, ITS America Annual Conference and Expo, San1619Jose, June 2016.16201621Opening Keynote Speaker, ITS World Congress (22nd Annual), co-hosted by1622ERTICO and ITS Asia Pacific, Bordeaux, France, October 2015.16231624Keynote Speaker, Frankfurt Motor Show, sponsored by Continental AG,1625Frankfurt, Germany, September 2015.16261627Panel Speaker, Digital Web Summit Conference, sponsored by Web Summit1628Conference, Dublin, Ireland, November 2014.16291630Panel Selectionist, Endeavor.Org Annual Global Meeting, sponsored by1631Endeavor.org, Istanbul, Turkey, October 2012.16321633Keynote Speaker, Turkish Women's International Network-Microsoft1634Office, Istanbul, Turkey, July 2012.16351636Keynote Speaker, Turkish Women's International Network (Global) UK1637Chapter, sponsored by the Turkish chapter of WIN (Women In Networking),1638London, United Kingdom, July 2012.16391640Delegate for Google, Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC)1641Conference, sponsored by U.S. State Department, Saint Petersburg,1642Russia, June 2012.16431644Guest Speaker and Panelist, Mentorship, Social Media and Corporate1645Development in Silicon Valley, Indian Institutes of Management (IIM),164620091647                                 ______16481649  Addendum to the questionnaire submitted to the Senate Committee on1650   Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 119th Congress by Seval Oz.1651    Upon further review, as brought to my attention by the Committee, I1652have identified additional information that is responsive to the1653following questions on the Committee's questionnaire.1654Oz Questionnaire:1655    A.1--Please clarify if Oz or Ozveren is Ms. Oz's legal last name.1656    Oz is my birth last name. I retain the use of my legal maiden last1657name. I am currently in the process of updating this information on my1658legal documents.1659    A.11--Ms. Oz's LinkedIn mentions serving as a strategic advisor at1660``Bond Mobility'' which is not disclosed on her questionnaire or OGE1661278e. Please clarify this and provide a supplement as appropriate.1662    This was a friend and colleague's start-up which did not1663materialize into any formal arrangement. I did travel overseas to visit1664the company once and this trip was disclosed in my SF 86, under section166520C-Foreign travel item #39 in October 2018.1666    A.18--Please clarify whether a link or digital copy for each entry1667is available. If so, please provide the link or digital copy. If not,1668please state so for each.1669    Attached are three Power Point decks (AVCC, Autonomous Vehicle1670Computer Consortium September, 2023; Tokyo Motor Show Presentation,1671March 2013 and Turkish WIN Global, July 2018) which are the only1672presentations I have available from the items listed in A.18 on my1673Senate Questionnaire. All other presentations have no corresponding1674link or presentation available.16751676  1.  Keynote Speaker, The Autonomous Vehicle Computing Consortium1677        (AVCC), sponsored by AVCC, Cambridge, United Kingdom, September1678        202316791680  2.  Keynote Speaker, Turkish WIN, July 201816811682  3.  Speaker, Tokyo Motor Show Presentation, Tokyo Motor Show 201316831684    A.19--This item requests ``all public statements'' the nominee has1685made in the past ten years ``on topics relevant to the position for1686which you have been nominated.'' Ms. Oz's response references public1687statements she made ``addressed to autonomous vehicles and new1688technology matters not directly relevant to DOT or the position of1689Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.''1690    According to DOT, ``the Office of the Assistant Secretary for1691Research and Technology (OST-R), works at the dynamic intersection of1692new and emerging technologies, transportation data, policy, research1693and all modes of transportation across the Department.''1694    Please work with Ms. Oz to ensure all public statements she has1695made in the past ten years on any topics ``relevant'' to the Assistant1696Secretary position are included in her questionnaire. Please provide a1697supplement as appropriate.1698    Below is a broader list of public statements related to research I1699have been involved in, including a wider search of U.S. and1700International statements. Some do not have public links available.17011702        Interview, Techcrunch Live webinar, June 20241703        Topic: Startup investing in mobility investment trends in1704        autonomous driving startups. AI and Sensor Fusion.1705        No known link available.17061707        Social Media Announcement, LinkedIn, January 20231708        Topic: Archimede Ventures launch (entrepreneurship AI in1709        Transportation)1710        https://www.linkedin.com/posts/sevaloz_archimede-ventures-1711        announcement/17121713        Social Media Post LinkedIn, April 20, 20221714        Topic: Libraries and Education (personal commentary in support1715        of Libraries)1716        https://www.linkedin.com/in/sevaloz/17171718        Interview, Yahoo Finance, March 20211719        Topic: Microvision and Industry Outlook at the time of1720        appointment to the Board1721        No known link available.17221723        Interview/Keynote Highlights, Digital Age Summit, Gonul1724        Hadimli, MediaCat, May 16, 20191725        Topics: Road Safety, Autonomous Tech Adoption.1726        No known link available.17271728        Media Commentary, Digital Age Summit, Istanbul, Turkey, April1729        2, 20191730        Topic: Are we Ready to Leave the Steering Wheel to Artificial1731        Intelligence?''1732        https://digitalage.com.tr/digital-age-summit-2019-icin-hazir-1733        misiniz/17341735        Publication of Talk (IEEE TV) of Oz's Fog World Conference1736        Talk, July 26, 20181737        Topic: How deep learning-driven data and edge ``fog'' computing1738        can help fill remaining gaps in automation.1739        No known link available.17401741        Speaker, SXSW Conference, Austin, TX, March 20181742        Topic: Sensor Fusion for AV's1743        No known link available.17441745        Keynote Speech, Fog World Conference, October 20171746        Topic: Gaps in vehicle automation, future technology. Automated1747        Driving What's Next?1748        No known link available.17491750        Interview, Automotive World, Interview by Freddie Holmes, July1751        13, 20161752        Smart Cities, public -private partnerships.1753        No known link available.17541755        Public Address, ITS World Congress, Bordeaux, France, August1756        10, 20151757        Topic: Intelligent Transportation Systems Industry1758        Collaboration.1759        https://digitalage.com.tr/digital-age-summit-2019-icin-hazir-1760        misiniz/17611762        Web Summit 2014/Webrazzi Conference, Dublin, Ireland, November1763        6, 20141764        Topic: Autonomous Vehicles Timeline.1765        No known link available.17661767        Interview, Star Newspaper via Amerikan Bulteni, October 9,1768        2011, Asli Gur Interviewer Early reference to Autonomous1769        Vehicles.1770        No known link available.17711772    C.3--We identified several matters where Ms. Oz is a named party1773that are not disclosed in the questionnaire:17741775   Oliver Rowen et al vs. Seval Ozveren (CA Superior Court,1776        filed August 202117771778    This item was already disclosed in the senate committee1779questionnaire under C.3. as a small claims court dispute in 2021 which1780was settled on April 23. 2022. (Pls see questionnaire)17811782   K. Kirkland vs. S. Ozveren (CA Superior Court, filed August1783        2014)17841785    I was made aware of this item during the background interview. I1786was unaware of this filing by the marital dissolution lawyer whose fees1787have been settled by the other party.17881789   S. Ozveren vs. University Club of Palo Alto (CA Superior1790        Court, filed August 2012) This was an injury claim which was1791        settled.17921793   S. Ozveren vs. Los Gatos Dog and Cat Hospital, et al (CA1794        Superior Court, filed August 2008)17951796    This claim was for an unauthorized medical procedure for one of our1797pets. The claim was resolved and dismissed.17981799   S. Ozveren vs. Estate of Jane Escamilla, et al (CA Superior1800        Court, filed August 2007)18011802    Property damage claim filed in small claims court against a1803neighbor whose oak tree fell on our property. Neighbor deceased. Claim1804was not pursued.18051806   Cuneyt Ozveren and Seval Ozveren (CA Superior Court, filed1807        January 2007) This case was for matrimonial resolution.18081809   Recover Property for Inheritance Rights Pursuant to Article1810        683 of the Turkish Civil Code against Nazlum Oz.18111812    The case is pending before the Istanbul 29th Civil Court for First1813Instance. File number 2022/84e. It is associated with related1814proceeding in Turkey to resolve an ongoing trust and estate dispute1815among members of the Oz family regarding the proper distribution of1816father's estate.1817                                 ______18181819[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]18201821                                 ______18221823[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]18241825    The Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Rutherford, you are now1826recognized for your opening statement.18271828            STATEMENT OF MICHAEL ALBERT RUTHERFORD,18291830          NOMINEE TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY, OFFICE OF18311832         MULTIMODAL FREIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE AND POLICY,18331834           UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION18351836    Mr. Rutherford. Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, and1837Members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to be1838here today. It is an incredible honor to be President Trump's1839nominee as the Assistant Secretary of the Office of Multimodal1840Freight Infrastructure and Policy, more simply referred to as1841the Freight Office.1842    I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by both1843President Trump and Secretary Duffy to lead this relatively new1844office and to shepherd its continued development under their1845leadership in the years ahead.1846    I am also grateful for my family, who is here with me1847today. My wife Francesca who is not just the love of my life--1848but pardon me for saying senators--the most interesting person1849that I have ever met. She is joined by our daughter, Maria1850Vittoria, a rising freshman and research scholar in the honors1851program at the University of Florida; and our 12-year-old son,1852John Carlo, a source of both great pride and constant1853entertainment.1854    As I sit here today before the Senate Commerce, Science,1855and Transportation Committee, I am aware of the expectations1856for this position, especially outside this room. Industry has1857long lamented the fact that freight does not vote. The1858introduction of the Freight Office was hailed as finally giving1859a voice to freight, while much has been accomplished, still1860much more is expected.1861    I worked in industry after studying international finance1862and commerce at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and1863getting a Master's in International Economics and Management at1864SDA Bocconi in Milan, Italy. I worked in consumer goods at1865Johnson and Johnson, and Adidas in Europe, where I learned a1866lot about sourcing and distribution.1867    Then I joined CSX in 2008, starting out in intermodal1868before ultimately managing everything moving on the railroad1869except intermodal and coal. During that time, I participated in1870a number of strategic initiatives like the National Gateway1871Infrastructure Project, launching the UMAX Interline Container1872Program in conjunction with Union Pacific, championing 50-foot1873box car reinvestments, and assisting customers during the roll1874out of Precision Scheduled Railroading.1875    It is my sincere hope that all those who have long promoted1876the creation of a high-level freight office will view the first1877assistant secretary appointment of someone with my industry1878experience as a reflection of the commitment by President Trump1879and Secretary Duffy to advance the cause for freight.1880    The mission of the Freight Office goes well beyond simply1881creating ease of doing business by establishing a primary,1882though not sole point of contact, for all things freight1883related. Ad hoc coordination must make way for a more1884systematic and holistic approach to freight planning throughout1885U.S. DOT while partnering with state DOTs and across the1886administration as appropriate.1887    The proposed Draft National Multimodal Freight Network with1888over 78,000 roadway miles, 80,000 rail miles, 21,000 waterway1889miles, 140 marine ports, and 65 airports, plays a fundamental1890role in much of the activities of the Freight Office. Given1891this significance, we must get it right. If confirmed, the1892Freight Office will follow up on all concerns regarding the1893current draft, including those regarding missing mileage in1894some states.1895    Building upon this work, the National Freight Strategic1896Plan aims to drive and align with State DOT freight plans to1897bolster economic growth and international competitiveness based1898on a shared vision of the future. In addition to addressing1899bottlenecks and bringing key infrastructure back to a state of1900good repair, this requires identifying critical freight1901facilities and corridors with vital interconnections to enhance1902overall performance of our Nation's freight system.1903    And if confirmed, I will work to ensure the timely update1904of the National Freight Strategic Plan consistent with current1905market dynamics, including shifting trade flows, the reshoring1906of manufacturing, and a renewed emphasis on industries of1907national importance. I will also seek to ensure that freight1908grant programs within the Office of the Secretary, and across1909U.S. DOT support key priorities of proper Federal interest.1910    Another key function of the Freight Office is to facilitate1911data sharing opportunities among freight stakeholders.1912Recognizing that you cannot manage what you do not know,1913Freight Logistics Optimization Works, or FLOW, provides freight1914stakeholders with invaluable supply chain visibility, enabling1915them to react more proactively to forward-looking changes in1916the operating environment at our Nation's ports.1917    Despite early successes, there is still so much more that1918the Freight Office can do to build upon these earlier efforts.1919    If I am fortunate to be confirmed as the Assistant1920Secretary of the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure1921and Policy, I will devote myself to helping the Secretary1922promote safe, efficient, and resilient freight transportation1923across all modes, and along the full spectrum of supply chain1924and logistics, from sourcing to distribution, from America's1925heartland to the big city and beyond.1926    Thank you, Mr. Chairman, that concludes my statement. And I1927would be happy to answer the Committee's questions.1928    [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.1929Rutherford follow:]19301931    Prepared Statement of Michael Albert Rutherford, Nominee to be1932 Assistant Secretary, Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and1933           Policy, United States Department of Transportation1934    Chairman Cruz, Ranking Member Cantwell, Members of the Committee--19351936    Thank you for the opportunity to be here today. It is an incredible1937honor to be President Trump's nominee as the Assistant Secretary of the1938Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, more simply1939referred to as the Freight Office.1940    I am grateful for the confidence placed in me by both President1941Trump and Secretary Duffy to lead this relatively new office and to1942shepherd its continued development under their leadership in the years1943ahead.1944    I am also grateful for my family, who is here with me today. My1945wife Francesca, who is not just the love of my life but--pardon me for1946saying, Senators--the most interesting person that I have ever met. She1947is joined by our daughter, Maria Vittoria, a rising freshman and1948Research Scholar in the Honors Program at the University of Florida,1949and our 12 year old son John Carlo, a source of both great pride and1950constant entertainment.1951    As I sit here today before the Senate Commerce, Science, &1952Transportation Committee, I am aware of the expectations for this1953position--especially outside this room. Industry has long lamented the1954fact that ``freight doesn't vote.'' The introduction of the Freight1955Office was hailed as finally giving a voice to freight. While much has1956been accomplished, still much more is expected.1957    I worked in industry. After studying International Finance &1958Commerce at the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and getting a1959Masters in International Economics & Management at SDA Bocconi in1960Milan, Italy, I worked in consumer goods at Johnson & Johnson and1961Adidas in Europe, where I learned a lot about sourcing and1962distribution. Then I joined CSX in 2008, starting out in Intermodal1963before ultimately managing everything moving on the railroad except1964Intermodal and Coal. During that time, I participated in a number of1965strategic initiatives like supporting the National Gateway1966infrastructure project, launching the UMAX interline container program1967in conjunction with Union Pacific, championing 50-foot boxcar1968reinvestments, and assisting customers during the roll-out of Precision1969Scheduled Railroading (PSR).1970    It is my sincere hope that all those who have long promoted the1971creation of a high level Freight Office will view the first Assistant1972Secretary appointment of someone with my industry experience as a1973reflection of the commitment by President Trump and Secretary Duffy to1974advance the cause for freight.1975    The mission of the Freight Office goes well beyond simply creating1976ease-of-doing business by establishing a primary (though not sole)1977point of contact for all things freight-related. Ad hoc coordination1978must make way for a more systematic and holistic approach to freight1979planning throughout U.S. DOT, while partnering with state DOTs and1980across the Administration as appropriate.1981    The proposed Draft National Multimodal Freight Network with over 781982thousand roadway miles, 80 thousand rail miles, 21 thousand waterway1983miles, 140 marine ports and 65 airports, plays a fundamental role in1984much of the activities of the Freight Office. Given this significance,1985we must get it right. If confirmed, the Freight Office will follow up1986on all concerns regarding the current draft, including those regarding1987``missing mileage'' in some states.1988    Building upon this work, the National Freight Strategic Plan aims1989to drive and align with State DOT freight plans to bolster economic1990growth and international competitiveness based on a shared vision of1991the future. In addition to addressing bottlenecks and bringing key1992infrastructure back to a state of good repair, this requires1993identifying critical freight facilities and corridors with vital1994interconnections to enhance overall performance of our Nation's freight1995system. If confirmed, I will work to ensure the timely update of the1996National Freight Strategic Plan consistent with current market dynamics1997including shifting trade flows, the reshoring of manufacturing, and a1998renewed emphasis on industries of national importance. I will also seek1999to ensure that freight grant programs within the Office of the2000Secretary and across U.S. DOT support key priorities of proper Federal2001interest.2002    Another key function of the Freight Office is to facilitate data2003sharing opportunities among freight stakeholders. Recognizing that you2004cannot manage what you do not know, Freight Logistics Optimization2005Works or FLOW provides freight stakeholders with invaluable supply2006chain visibility, enabling them to react more proactively to forward-2007looking changes in the operating environment at our Nation's ports.2008Despite early successes, there is still so much more that the Freight2009Office can do to build upon it earlier efforts.2010    If I am fortunate to be confirmed as the Assistant Secretary of the2011Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy, will devote2012myself to helping the Secretary promote safe, efficient, and resilient2013freight transportation across all modes and along the full spectrum of2014Supply Chain and Logistics, from sourcing to distribution, from2015America's heartland to the Big City and beyond.2016    Thank you, Mr. Chairman. That concludes my statement, and I would2017be happy to answer the Committee's questions.2018                                 ______20192020                      a. biographical information2021    1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):20222023        Michael Albert Rutherford.20242025    2. Position to which nominated: Assistant Secretary of2026Transportation, Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy.2027    3. Date of Nomination: March 24, 2025.2028    4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):20292030        Residence: Information not released to the public.2031        Office: Information not provided.20322033    5. Date and Place of Birth: Tallahassee, FL.2034    6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your2035spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your2036children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).20372038        Francesca Romana Dal Savio (wife)2039        Vice President, Superior Medical Staffing Services2040        8850 Goodbys Executive Dr, Ste C--Jacksonville, FL 322172041        Maria Vittoria Rutherford--1820422043    7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not2044you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the2045institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of2046the degree.20472048        HARVARD BUSINESS SCHOOL2049        CSX Executive Development Program2050        Aug 2013 (8/9/2013) plus a long-term internal Team project20512052        SDA BOCCONI2053        MASTERS IN INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT2054        Jan-Dec 1998 (12/19/1998)20552056        GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF FOREIGN SERVICE2057        BSFS in International Economics--Specialization in2058        International Finance & Commerce2059        Aug 1992-May 1996 (5/25/1996)20602061    8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,2062name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all2063management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to2064the position for which you are nominated.20652066        SUPERIOR MEDICAL STAFFING SERVICES2067        President (2/2019 to present)*20682069        AMERICAN PETROLOG2070        Senior Vice President (1/2020-1/2021)20712072        CSX TRANSPORTATION2073        VP Sales & Marketing Merchandise (2017-8/2018)*2074        VP Sales & Marketing Industrial Products (11/2016-2017)*2075        AVP Sales & Marketing Industrial Products (8/2013-10/2016)*2076        Director VOC/Market Intelligence & Strategy (8/2011-7/2013)*20772078        CSX INTERMODAL2079        Director Marketing Intermodal (8/2008-8/2011)*2080        Director Strategic Planning (2/2008-7/2008)20812082        ADIDAS GROUP SpA2083        Head of Marketing Originals (2/2007-1/2008)*2084        Head of Marketing Services (2/2005-1/2007)*20852086        JOHNSON & JOHNSON ITALY SpA2087        Category Manager--Sales (5/2001-1/2005)*2088        Jr Product Manager Neutrogena/Penaten (7/2000-4/2001)2089        Assistant Product Manager Neutrogena/Penaten (11/1999-6/2000)20902091        JOHNSON & JOHNSON--EAME NEUTROGENA FRANCHISE (Paris)2092        Stageur (4/1999-10/1999)20932094        IEA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR GAS TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION2095        Research Associate (6/1996-12/1997)2096        Program Assistant (1995-6/1996)20972098    * = Management level20992100    9. Attach a copy of your resume. Attached.2101    10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time2102service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other2103than those listed above after 18 years of age. Not applicable.2104    11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,2105partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any2106corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,2107educational, or other institution.21082109   Rutherford Medical Holdings, LLC (dba Superior Medical2110        Staffing Services)--President (2019 to present)21112112   National Defense Transportation Association--Chair of Rail2113        Sub-Committee (2017-2018)21142115   Indiana Railroad--Board Member (2018)21162117   CSX Good Government Fund (PAC)--Board Member (2016-2018)21182119    12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or2120currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,2121political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously2122affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization2123(You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a2124religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership2125and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note2126whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis2127of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.21282129        Sons of the American Revolution (2021 to present)--Men Only21302131        Society of the Descendants of Washington's Army at Valley Forge2132        (2021 to Life)21332134        General Society of the War of 1812 (2021 to present)--Men Only21352136        National Italian American Foundation (2024 to present)21372138        Salvation Army of Northeast Florida--Advisory Board Member2139        (2017-2020)21402141        National Defense Transportation Association (2016-2018)21422143        Rail Shippers Associations: National, Northeast, Southeast,2144        Pacific-Northwest, Midwest, Southwest (2008-2018)21452146        Traffic Clubs: New York, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh (2008-2018)21472148        Truckload Carriers Association (2008-2010)21492150    Note that dates are approximated in some cases.21512152    13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office2153(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any2154campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are2155personally liable for that debt. No.2156    14. List all memberships and offices held with and services2157rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or2158election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid2159position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether2160compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,2161identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year2162of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None.2163    15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign2164organization, political party, political action committee, or similar2165entity of $200 or more for the past ten years.2166    See attached.2167    16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary2168society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition2169for outstanding service or achievements.21702171        Georgetown University School of Foreign Service Krogh Scholar21722173        Georgetown University European Studies Certificate21742175        Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar21762177        CSX Recognition for Outstanding Contribution 2010, 201121782179    17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,2180Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,2181individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when2182possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the2183publication when available.2184    See attached.2185    18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,2186PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for2187which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when2188possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the2189speech or presentation when available.21902191        NEARS--American PetroLog: Reflections on the Road Ahead (9/2192        2020)21932194        Paper & Forest Industry Transportation Committee (4/2018)21952196        CSX Southeast Rail Forum (3/2018)21972198        CSX Investor & Analyst Conference starting on slide 50 (3/1/2199        2018)--Article, highlight Video22002201        National Industrial Transportation League (1/2018)--Agenda22022203        National Grain & Feed Association (2018)--cited by CEO in2204        letter to STB RailTrends Conference (12/2017) with follow up2205        references here and here American Chemistry Council Meeting2206        (11/2017)22072208        NDTA Rail Sub-Committee--Railcars start on page 25 (10/12/2017)2209        & Award22102211        NEARS--PRECISION SCHEDULED RAILROADING AT CSX: Unlocking2212        Potential through Transformative Change (9/27/2017)22132214        SEARS--Precision Schedule Railroading (9/20/2017)--Presentation22152216        AMM's 22nd Mexican Steel Forum (2/2017)22172218        CSX Mexico Customer Meeting (10/2014)22192220        NEARS Freight Professionals Roundtable (9/2013)22212222        LATC: Value Chains: A New Role for Intermodal (6/14/2011)22232224        PNWARS Spring Conference (3/2014)22252226        Spirit of the Port (Philadelphia--4/2011)22272228    Please note that this list is complete to the best of my2229recollection. Know also that I no longer have access to all of my files2230and schedules since departing CSX. Some dates may be approximative. In2231addition to the links above, see attached for additional presentation2232files.2233    19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten2234years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and2235television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position2236for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to2237each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a2238digital copy of the statement when available.22392240        Bulk Transporter--American PetroLog solving problems with2241        multi-modal approach (2021)22422243        SWARS--American PetroLog Sponsorship (2020)22442245        CSX Honors Safe Chemical Shippers (2018)22462247        WSJ America's Boxcar Pool Has a Leak in CSX (2018)22482249        Customer Testimony to STB citing my personal handling of2250        service issues (2017)22512252        WSJ--Why Railroads Can't Keep Enough Boxcars in Service (2015)22532254        DC Velocity--Rails try new route to intermodal growth (2011)22552256        Fleet Management--The Changing Face of Trucking Part 2: Riding2257        the Rails (2010)22582259    20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other2260digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated2261an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your2262name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',2263including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used2264on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,2265deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.22662267        LinkedIn (active): Michael Rutherford2268        https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-a-rutherford/22692270        TRUTH Social (active): Pasquino (MA Rutherford)2271        https://truthsocial.com/@MARutherford22722273        YouTube (active for watching): Michael2274        https://www.youtube.com/@michaelrutherford226822752276        Facebook (deleted Fall 2018): Michael Rutherford22772278    21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified2279orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-2280governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject2281matter of each testimony. None.2282    22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major2283operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation2284to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment2285experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment2286to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish2287to serve in that position?2288    My experience as both a shipper and a transportation provider in2289both domestic and international markets will serve me well in this2290position. With the sole exception of Air, I have worked in some2291capacity with all major freight modes: Truck/Parcel, Rail (Class I &2292Short Lines), Ocean Carriers, Ports, Transload, and Warehousing.2293Although I did not work much directly with Barge, I am very familiar2294with their operations, as they were a key modal competitor in certain2295markets. Furthermore, I have worked with a wide range of freight2296markets: Domestic & International Intermodal, Metals, Forest Products &2297Paper, Aggregates, Chemicals, Phosphates & Fertilizer, Agricultural2298Commodities, Municipal Waste, Military, and Over-Dimensionals.2299    Thanks to this experience, I have a deep appreciation for the2300mission of the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy.2301This mission is all the more significant at this particular point in2302time. I would be honored to be given the opportunity to contribute by2303bringing to bear my experience in this position to drive progress in2304realizing the future of freight transportation in America.2305    23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to2306ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper2307management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in2308managing a large organization?2309    My primary responsibility is to help the Secretary to articulate a2310compelling vision for the National Freight Strategic Plan in support of2311the overall direction of the Administration while ensuring that the2312activities of the Office support this vision. My focus will be on2313making the most of every taxpayer dollar (e.g., grant programs, key2314initiatives), whether spent at U.S. DOT or by those partnering with us.2315This includes exploring ways to streamline processes; to provide2316guidance; and to accelerate project timelines in an effort to avoid2317potential cost overruns while maximizing the return on investment.2318    I have developed a strong sense of situational leadership in both2319line and staff positions at senior levels. I have led both small and2320large (120+) Teams with multiple reporting layers across broad and even2321international geographies. I have participated at every level in large2322capital investment in infrastructure (e.g., supported the business case2323for port and clearance projects); railcar fleets (e.g., championed2324reinvestment in 50' Plate F Boxcars); and technology (e.g., headed the2325CSX Intermodal Technology Steering Committee). I also became familiar2326with sourcing strategies and distribution issues while working in Fast-2327Moving Consumer Goods. Finally, I have extensive experience in managing2328department and personnel budgets. More specifically, I participated on2329a cross-functional team that helped the Adidas subsidiary in Italy2330receive an award for Most Profitable Country in 2005.2331    24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the2332department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?23332334  (1)  To articulate a compelling and shared vision of the National2335        Freight Strategic Plan, better clarifying what it means to be2336        part of the Multimodal Freight Network. This entails making2337        choices and providing clearer guidance based on both immediate2338        and long-term considerations.23392340  (2)  To achieve the proper balance between driving and aligning on2341        strategic and comprehensive national priorities at the state,2342        local and Federal levels. This also necessitates a more2343        holistic view of freight networks that necessarily transcends2344        more circumscribed considerations, while sponsoring solutions2345        like multi-state compacts to build sustained consensus for2346        larger, multi-year initiatives.23472348  (3)  To ensure an adequate return on investment by making certain2349        that every project supports our vision for the future, not the2350        past. Building consensus about the future presents a2351        constructive challenge in dynamic market environments,2352        encouraging strategic alignment and forward-thinking2353        collaboration.2354                   b. potential conflicts of interest2355    1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation2356agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,2357clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement2358accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.2359    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with2360the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation2361(DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts2362of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved2363consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I will enter into2364with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided2365to this Committee.2366    2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,2367to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,2368association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,2369please explain. No.2370    3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other2371relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in2372the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will2373resolve each potential conflict of interest.2374    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with2375the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation2376(DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts2377of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved2378consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I will enter into2379with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided2380to this Committee.2381    4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial2382transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for2383yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in2384any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the2385position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve2386each potential conflict of interest.2387    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with2388the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation2389(DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts2390of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved2391consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I will enter into2392with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided2393to this Committee.2394    5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain2395how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.2396    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with2397the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation2398(DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts2399of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved2400consistent with the terms of the ethics agreement I have entered into2401with the DOT Designated Agency Ethics Official, which will be provided2402to this Committee.2403    6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the2404names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the2405purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or2406modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and2407execution of law or public policy.2408    As shared previously, I served on the Board of CSX Good Government2409Fund (PAC), but I did not engage on specific policy issues.2410                            c. legal matters2411    1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,2412professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a2413complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special2414Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary2415committee, or other professional group? No.2416    If yes:24172418  a.  Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or2419        group;24202421  b.  Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or2422        personnel action was issued or initiated;24232424  c.  Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or2425        personnel action;24262427  d.  Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,2428        complaint, or personnel action.24292430    2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by2431any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,2432State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for2433a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. No.2434    3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were2435an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency2436proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please2437explain. No.2438    4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo2439contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic2440offense? If so, please explain. No.2441    5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual2442assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,2443race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain. No.2444    6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,2445favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in2446connection with your nomination. None.2447                     d. relationship with committee2448    1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/2449corporation complies with deadlines for information set by2450congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/2451corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information2452from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in2453the minority?2454    Yes, I will ensure that my office responds to such requests as2455appropriate.2456    2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/2457corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and2458whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.2459    3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested2460witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with2461firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee?2462    Yes. I will ensure the office provides witnesses as appropriate.2463    4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly2464constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be2465reasonably requested to do so?2466    Yes. I will ensure to appear as appropriate.2467                                 ______24682469                      Resume of Michael Rutherford2470Seasoned executive with international experience at Fortune 5002471companies and as a small business owner, with wide-ranging knowledge of2472industries, freight flows, and infrastructure across multiple modes2473(rail, road, water).2474SUPERIOR MEDICAL STAFFING SERVICES  Jacksonville, Florida2475Providing clinical and administrative staff to support large Managed2476Care Networks and independent medical providers across Northeast2477Florida, in a range of specialties from Primary Care to Neurosurgery.2478Licensed with AHCA in Florida.2479Supported a major Community Health Provider in a variety of state-2480sponsored health initiatives.24812482President | Feb 2019-Present2483AMERICAN PETROLOG  Lafayette, Louisiana2484Led focused initiatives aimed at achieving aggressive growth targets by2485expanding rail to truck transloading services with a particular2486emphasis on Texas and New York City markets, domestic ISO fleet and2487adding value for customers.24882489Sr Vice President | Jan 2020-Jan 20212490CSX TRANSPORTATION  Jacksonville, Florida2491A premier transportation company providing rail, intermodal and rail-2492to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad2493array of markets while generating over $11 billion in revenue.24942495Vice President Sales & Marketing Merchandise | Nov 2016-Aug 201824962497Reported to CCO with responsibility for the entire Merchandise2498portfolio generating over $7 billion in revenue, exceeding plan2499expectations despite significant service disruptions in 2017.25002501   Led a diverse Team of 140+ employees and contractors,2502        including bulk port operations and international sales:2503        Agriculture, Fertilizer, Chemicals, Metals, Minerals, Forest2504        Products, Automotive, Military and Municipal Waste.25052506   Drove significant share gains in markets supported by rail2507        assets despite significant fleet reductions, leading the2508        industry position on 50-ft boxcars while enabling reinvestment2509        for the first time in decades.25102511   Chaired Rail Sub-Committee for NDTA working with U.S.2512        TRANSCOM to champion military railcar fleet investments.25132514   Recognized as ``the point of the spear'' for CSX's outreach2515        in transition, engaging various stakeholders including2516        customers, trade associations, national media, investors2517        (shareholder meetings & conferences) and regulators (STB).25182519Assistant Vice President Sales & Marketing Industrial Products | Aug25202013-Oct 201625212522Reported to the Vice President and then CCO with a gradually expanding2523portfolio worth approximately $2 billion in revenue, encompassing the2524Metals, Minerals, Military and Forest Products markets.25252526   Accelerated margin expansion in three years through2527        portfolio optimization and focused growth.25282529   Generated over 30 percent more contribution dollars on lower2530        revenues and lower fuel surcharge for the Metals market in2531        2015, compared to similar market levels in 2010, thanks to a2532        radically different portfolio strategy.25332534   Sponsored fleet expansions after attaining reinvestment2535        criteria and key account strategy alignment.25362537   Championed 50' boxcar fleets in the North American market2538        despite initial industry opposition.25392540Director VOC/Market Intelligence and Strategy | Aug 2011-Jul 201325412542Assumed increasing levels of responsibility for customer and market2543intelligence activities across all business units.25442545   Led key strategic planning functions, providing updates for2546        the CSX Board and the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank.25472548   Garnered insights to inform Service Excellence initiatives,2549        contributing to a 9 percent improvement in Overall Satisfaction2550        to achieve record scores as measured in a proprietary survey2551        with J.D. Power & Associates.25522553   Deployed the J.D. Power Commitment Model generating insights2554        on key drivers of loyalty behaviors, which informed later2555        strategies to proactively shape customer perceptions about2556        service through real-time reporting in 2017.25572558Director of Marketing Intermodal | Aug 2008-Aug 201125592560Responsible for all marketing and communication efforts for Intermodal2561(Trucking, IMC, Ocean Carrier, Ports). Key deliverables included mark2562strategy, messaging, communications and customer engagement.25632564   Partnered in launch of the UMAX program with Union Pacific,2565        driving double-digit growth in rail asset revenue.25662567   Regular presenter at major industry conferences like2568        regional shipper associations, traffic clubs, IANA, TIA and2569        TPM.25702571   Developed corridor-specific strategies by identifying2572        competitive gaps in inter-regional traffic flows to increase2573        CSX's share in the east to 42 percent.25742575Director of Strategic Planning Intermodal | Feb 2008-Jul 200825762577Reported to the Assistant Vice President of Sales & Marketing in a2578staff position.25792580   Coordinated the development of the Intermodal Strategy,2581        including research for public-private partnerships like the2582        National Gateway Project improving route efficiencies from East2583        Coast Ports to Midwest markets.25842585   Prioritized investments in both productivity and service as2586        head of the Technology Steering Committee.25872588   Led and participated in CSXI Customer Advisory Council2589        Forums with Trucking Companies and Ocean Carriers.25902591   Facilitated Strategic Planning workshops with the Commercial2592        Leadership Team.2593ADIDAS GROUP  Monza, Italy2594Commercial Head | Feb 2005-Jan 200825952596Managed Marketing Services and later the Originals Collection across2597multiple retail channels.25982599   Implemented a new go-to-market and communications strategy2600        to reinvigorate sales and the multi-segment brand equity for2601        Originals (Style Division), while driving and aligning local2602        country plans with global and regional strategies.26032604   Championed the 2006 World Cup retail campaign in Marketing2605        Services, setting a new sales record.26062607   Delivered cost savings while ensuring campaign effectiveness2608        as part of a broader Budget Control Taskforce, contributing to2609        the subsidiary winning the award for Most Profitable Country in2610        2005.2611JOHNSON & JOHNSON  Paris, Rome & London, EAME2612Category Manager | May 2001-Jan 200526132614Coordinated strategic selling initiatives through category solutions2615based on consumer and shopper insights.26162617   Participated on the London-based team responsible for2618        standardizing procedures, roles and responsibilities for sales2619        organizations across the EAME region.26202621   Obtained ``Best in Class'' recognition for Category2622        Management in a 2002 Trade Survey by Research Business2623        International, as well as from EAME Leadership for FemCare and2624        Bath & Shower category strategies.26252626Product Manager | Apr 1999-Apr 200126272628Managed all marketing activities for the Neutrogena and Penaten brands2629in the Pharmacy Division.26302631   Helped EAME Franchise Leadership Team in Paris develop a2632        plan to realign Neutrogena brand equity in the region with the2633        Global Franchise strategy to support longer-term line2634        extensions before leading the execution in Italy.26352636   Developed TV copy for Neutrogena Clear Pore featuring2637        Jennifer Love Hewitt later adapted for other countries as part2638        of a new brand strategy, growing sales of the line in Italy by2639        over 40 percent.26402641   Increased Penaten sales by 9 percent or 13 percent net of2642        SKU rationalizations, while expanding margins 630 bps.26432644   Supported the Global Team responsible for the acquisition of2645        Aveeno.26462647IEA INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR GAS TECHNOLOGY  Washington, D.C. |2648Jun 1996-Dec 199726492650Research Associate supporting a Technology Collaboration Program of the2651International Energy Agency aimed at facilitating the commercialization2652of natural gas technologies among public and private partners worldwide2653with direction from DOE's Gas Research Institute.2654EDUCATION2655Harvard Business School | CSX Executive Development Program | Boston,2656Massachusetts (2013)26572658SDA Bocconi | Masters in International Economics and Management |2659Milan, Italy (1998)2660Distinction: Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar26612662Georgetown University | BS in International Finance & Commerce cum2663laude | Washington, D.C. (1996) Distinctions: Krogh Scholar (Weighing2664National Claims in Bosnia-Herzegovina: A Human Rights Perspective on2665Self-Determination), European Studies Certificate (Democratic Culture2666at Work: The Case of Enrico Mattei and Eni), U.S. Congress LBJ2667Internship (Congresswoman Tillie Fowler)2668ADDITIONAL INFORMATION2669Board Positions: The Indiana Railroad Company (2018), CSX Good2670Government Fund (2016-2018)2671Chair Positions: Rail Sub-Committee for the National Defense2672Transportation Association (2017)2673Languages: Fluent in English and Italian2674                                 ______26752676  Addendum to the questionnaire submitted to the Senate Committee on2677   Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 119th Congress by Michael2678                              Rutherford.2679    Upon further review, I have identified additional information that2680is responsive to the corresponding three questions on the Committee's2681questionnaire. They are:26822683   A.19--Please include the following public statements, which2684        are on topics relevant to the position for which I have been2685        nominated, including dates:26862687    American Metal Market Monthly--``Riding the Rails'' (August 2017)26882689    SAP Showcases Big Data Solutions Leveraging the SAP HANA Platform2690        (SAP Press Release--October 2014)26912692    As noted in A.18, the list is complete to the best of my2693        recollection. Know also that I no longer have access to all of2694        my files and schedules since departing CSX.26952696   B.3--As indicated in my OGE 278e, I am invested in Tesla,2697        Amazon, Chevron, and Exxon Mobil, among other entities, through2698        my Parametric Investment Account with Morgan Stanley. The2699        Parametric Account is managed independently by my broker2700        without my expressed approval for individual transactions2701        according to a proprietary model. If confirmed, I will2702        consequently divest from this account and all stocks in this2703        account consistent with my Ethics Agreement, which does not2704        permit managed accounts of this type without expressed2705        approval.2706    Likewise, the DOT Office of the General Counsel determined that2707        none of the above-stated stocks are currently a conflict-of-2708        interest, pursuant to 5 C.F.R. Sec. 2640.202(a). If any of the2709        individual stocks rise above the de minimis threshold prior to2710        my divestment, I will coordinate with the DOT Ethics Office on2711        next steps.27122713         Q15--POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS: MICHAEL ALBERT RUTHERFORD2714------------------------------------------------------------------------2715             COMMITTEE NAME               YEAR      DATE        AMOUNT2716------------------------------------------------------------------------2717CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     1/2/2014     $ 210.002718CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     2/3/2014     $ 210.002719CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     3/3/2014     $ 210.002720CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     4/1/2014     $ 210.002721CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     5/1/2014     $ 210.002722CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     6/2/2014     $ 283.252723CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     7/1/2014     $ 283.252724CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     8/1/2014     $ 283.252725CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014     9/2/2014     $ 283.252726CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014    10/1/2014     $ 283.252727CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014    11/3/2014     $ 283.252728CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2014    12/1/2014     $ 283.252729CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     1/2/2015     $ 283.252730CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     2/2/2015     $ 283.252731CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     3/2/2015     $ 283.252732CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     4/1/2015     $ 283.252733CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     5/1/2015     $ 283.252734CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     6/1/2015     $ 283.252735CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     8/3/2015     $ 283.252736CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015     9/1/2015     $ 283.252737CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015    10/1/2015     $ 283.252738CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015    11/2/2015     $ 283.252739CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2015    12/1/2015     $ 283.252740CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     1/4/2016     $ 283.252741CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     2/1/2016     $ 283.252742CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     3/1/2016     $ 283.252743CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     4/1/2016     $ 333.332744CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     5/2/2016     $ 333.332745CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2016    5/20/2016   $ 2,000.002746CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     6/1/2016     $ 333.332747CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     7/1/2016     $ 333.332748CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2016    7/31/2016     $ 700.002749CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     8/1/2016     $ 340.422750CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2016    8/10/2016     $ 300.002751CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016     9/1/2016     $ 340.422752CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016    10/3/2016     $ 340.422753CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2016   10/25/2016   $ 1,000.002754CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016    11/1/2016     $ 416.672755DONALD J. TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT, INC.       2016    11/6/2016     $ 500.002756CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2016    12/1/2016     $ 416.672757CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     1/3/2017     $ 416.672758CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     2/1/2017     $ 416.672759CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     3/1/2017     $ 416.672760CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     4/3/2017     $ 416.672761CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     5/1/2017     $ 416.672762CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     6/1/2017     $ 416.672763CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     7/3/2017     $ 416.672764CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     8/1/2017     $ 416.672765CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017     9/1/2017     $ 416.672766CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017    10/2/2017     $ 416.672767CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017    11/1/2017     $ 416.672768CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2017    12/1/2017     $ 416.632769CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2017    12/5/2017   $ 2,700.002770CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     2/1/2018     $ 454.552771CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     3/1/2018     $ 454.552772CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     4/2/2018     $ 454.552773CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2018    4/30/2018   $ 2,700.002774CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     5/1/2018     $ 454.552775CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     6/1/2018     $ 454.552776CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     7/6/2018     $ 454.552777DEB FISCHER FOR U.S. SENATE               2018    7/18/2018     $ 500.002778CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     8/1/2018     $ 454.552779CSX CORPORATION GOOD GOVERNMENT FUND      2018     9/4/2018     $ 454.552780CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2020    7/28/2020   $ 2,800.002781CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2020    7/28/2020   $ 2,800.002782DONALD J. TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT, INC.       2020   10/19/2020   $ 2,800.002783TRUMP VICTORY                             2020   10/19/2020   $ 1,000.002784BLACK, DEAN (REP) (STR)                   2022    2/28/2022     $ 750.002785TEAM HERSCHEL, INC                        2022    3/23/2022   $ 1,000.002786CITIZENS FOR JOHN RUTHERFORD              2022    3/25/2022   $ 2,900.002787COMMITTEE TO ELECT ERIC CUNNINGHAM FOR    2022    5/18/2022     $ 500.002788 CONGRESS2789SARAH FOR ALASKA                          2022    5/22/2022   $ 1,000.002790LARIZZA, R. J. (REP) (STA)                2020   10/08/2020     $ 250.002791------------------------------------------------------------------------27922793                  American PetroLog, LLC--May 19, 202027942795[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]27962797Back to the Future: Lookout for these 5 Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends2798    As individual states slowly begin to relax rules regarding2799nationwide COVID-19 quarantines, most are venturing back out a little2800more dazed and confused than before. One-third of the S&P 500 has2801withdrawn guidance with many cutting or suspending dividends. As CNBC's2802Bob Pisani noted at the end of last month, ``The dispersion-the2803difference between analyst estimates from the high to the low estimate-2804has never been higher.'' Increasingly views of the future have as much2805to do with pandemic and political factors as with where you are today2806on the curve.2807    McKinsey recently compared the perceived effectiveness of the2808public-health response to that of economic policies in their April2809survey of global executives. Almost 60 percent of respondents now2810expect more muted world growth with some virus recurrence. China was an2811interesting outlier in that they were decidedly more optimistic. This2812seems consistent with a later McKinsey consumer survey whereby,2813somewhat unsurprisingly, sentiment shows increasing levels of optimism2814as countries move along the curve. This bodes well for the broader2815economy longer-term.2816    Nevertheless, most do not anticipate a return to business as2817usual--and supply chains will be no different. Over the course of the2818next couple weeks we will share with you some thoughts on key trends2819likely to influence the evolution of U.S. supply chains in the coming2820months and years. Interestingly, most of these trends were already2821gaining momentum prior to the pandemic. Perhaps that is what makes them2822so compelling. For now, here is a brief overview of five supply chain2823trends for which to be on the lookout:28242825  1.  E-Commerce: Most agree that e-commerce will likely benefit from2826        the recent disruption, but accelerated growth in this space2827        will also highlight challenges in their supply chains.28282829  2.  Global Sourcing: Changes in consumer behavior along with2830        political pressures will continue to weigh on global supply2831        chains in particular, with equally disruptive consequences2832        across domestic modes of transportation.28332834  3.  Trucking: Near-term volatility combined with the potential for2835        structural changes in freight flows will favor industry2836        consolidation and higher prices, but leave shippers wanting2837        more.28382839  4.  Rail: The tension between the Precision Scheduled Railroading2840        (PSR) model and the need for growth, both for its own sake and2841        to keep regulators at bay, will make partnerships with short2842        lines and transloaders all the more important.28432844  5.  Technology: Longer term, new manufacturing technologies have the2845        potential to change how we respond to these supply chain2846        challenges with even more radical implications, especially in2847        large urban centers.28482849    That said, timing is everything. The pace at which these trends2850manifest themselves is important not only for planning purposes, but2851also because the relative timing of each can affect the magnitude with2852which other trends are realized. Just look at how volatility in truck2853capacity affects market pricing for all modes. In such an environment,2854shippers more than ever will need to partner with supply chain2855providers that can help them navigate these uncertain waters while2856designing resilient solutions that respond to their needs today and2857tomorrow.2858    If you are interested in learning more about our thoughts on this2859and other topics, follow American PetroLog on Linkedin. In our next2860article, we will explore in more depth our first trend regarding2861changes in consumer behavior and discuss some of the challenges for e-2862commerce supply chains.2863                                 ______28642865                  American PetroLog, LLC--May 20, 202028662867[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]28682869Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Need for Speed Will Drive Blended2870        e-Retail Solutions2871    Major disruptions often provoke fundamental shifts in customer2872behaviors, which in turn determine how value is created and lost across2873supply chains. While it seems certain that COVID-19 is one such2874example, it is still difficult to say which changes will endure.2875    For instance, a growing chorus (much of it backed by speculative2876investors) is again arguing, as they have periodically since the late28771960s, that the time for telehealth has finally arrived. Yet serious2878concerns persist from the over-prescription of antibiotics to2879misdiagnoses, undermining both quality of care and attempts to reign in2880overall healthcare costs. Dr. Jeremy Greene of John Hopkins University2881observed in his recent article that we appear to be embracing2882telehealth as ``good enough medicine.'' Harvard Medical School2883professor Ateev Mehrotra further warned in an interview last month that2884``telehealth could be overutilized to the point of hurting the target2885population.'' So despite the hype predicting a new normal in every area2886of our lives from healthcare to auto sales, we should be cautious not2887to draw too many conclusions too soon.2888    The same prudence is warranted when we think about similarly hyped2889expectations regarding e-commerce in a post-COVID world. Indeed, the2890predictions at times seem over-stated considering that e-commerce only2891accounted for 16 percent of total retail sales last year. Already there2892are a number of experts arguing that ``permanent dark stores are the2893future'' with curb-side pickup and delivery replacing traditional store2894formats. Yet at least one survey suggests that recent gains in certain2895areas may not be as long lasting, including the grocery segment.2896    Nevertheless, e-commerce sales were already forecasted to realize2897double-digit growth in the foreseeable future, albeit at a declining2898rate, prior to the current pandemic. Experience also suggests that2899increased penetration of online platforms during quarantine should2900favor some longer-term adoption and growth. Consequently, it seems2901reasonable to anticipate an acceleration of prevailing trends in e-2902commerce growth, though the details by segment remain somewhat2903nebulous.2904    However, accelerated growth will inevitably resurface challenges in2905e-commerce supply chains that started emerging in recent years.2906Consider the significance of same day deliveries to better compete with2907the instant gratification of shopping in brick-and-mortar stores--2908something in which Amazon is investing billions of dollars. RBC Capital2909predicted that Amazon shares would rally approximately 50 percent on 1-2910day Prime shipping; this gives whole new meaning to the old adage2911``time is money.''2912    The nascent See Now, Buy Now phenomenon demands rapid order2913fulfillment. Realizing this initially relied heavily on smaller, faster2914shipments using more costly air freight and LTL. Increasingly, however,2915we see a greater reliance on smaller warehouses closer to major urban2916centers, possibly favoring traditional modes like trucking. Some even2917anticipate a resurgence in third parties like industrial distributors2918to bring inventories closer to end-customers.2919    Where these redundancies already exist, they have proven successful2920during the pandemic at hardening supply chains compared to traditional2921models with just two national fulfillment centers, one in the east and2922one in the west. Glenn Gooding, president of iDrive Logistics summed it2923up best: ``In the most simplistic terms possible, the more fulfillment2924options within a network, the less the risk the network will lose core2925fulfillment capacity.'' Consequently, inventory carrying costs for2926online retailers unfortunately seem destined to rise. This poses the2927greatest challenge to just-in-time inventory management since Apple CEO2928Tim Cook's famous maxim that inventory is ``fundamentally evil.''2929    Ironically, the solution to forward deploy more inventory means2930that the e-commerce supply chain will increasingly resemble traditional2931brick-and-mortar thereby narrowing some of its cost advantage. Indeed,2932what we are now observing is a convergence of the two in a blended2933format that provides both in-store shopping with convenient e-commerce2934pick-up and delivery options. So just as Amazon is acquiring2935traditional retailers like Whole Foods, traditional retailers are now2936acquiring e-commerce capabilities to leverage their existing2937storefronts. News of Target's possible acquisition of technology2938company Deliv for the batching and routing of orders after expanding2939its delivery network with the acquisition of Shipt and Grand Junction2940in 2017, exemplifies this propensity for convergence.2941    The current pandemic will accelerate these trends towards a blended2942e-retail format in all probability with far-reaching implications not2943only on inventories and modal choices, but ultimately on production and2944sourcing decisions as managers try to reduce lead times in pursuit of2945more responsive supply chain models. After all there is precedence for2946retailers requiring that manufacturers contribute to, if not carry, the2947cost of the inventory through JIT fulfillment, listing fees, joint2948warehousing arrangements and the like. Ultimately expect this to shine2949a light on the cost of inventory in transit. We will delve into this in2950more detail in our next article. So be certain to follow American2951PetroLog on LinkedIn and look for it in your newsfeed.2952                                 ______29532954                  American PetroLog, LLC--May 21, 202029552956[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]295729585 Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Remapping of Global Supply Chains2959    Manufacturing has long enjoyed a privileged position in supply2960chains with an almost singular focus on efficiency. The need for2961flexibility was largely relegated downstream to logistics and2962distribution--at least until now. Production and sourcing decisions are2963garnering an ever-greater degree of interest in more recent years for a2964variety of reasons.2965    First, China is less and less desired as the ``world's factory.''2966On the one hand, China's manufacturing competitiveness has been eroding2967in key areas for some time, especially for those segments in which it2968had enjoyed early success due to low labor costs. This was to be2969expected as a growing urban population inevitably led to higher wages.2970Consider that Nike and Adidas had already shifted over half of their2971footwear production to Vietnam as far back as 2010 and 20132972respectively. On the other hand, there has been a growing realization2973that supply chains need to be more diversified in an effort to mitigate2974disruptions: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. The current2975pandemic has only served to reinforce this conviction.2976    Meanwhile, China's trade practices have undermined their2977credibility abroad. Five years ago the Chinese Communist Party (CCP)2978adopted the Made in China 2025 program, which not only sought to2979quickly climb the value chain of emerging technologies (like Huawei in2980the 5G sector) but also to dominate markets at home and more2981importantly abroad. The program was even more protectionist than prior2982economic policies, explicitly instructing Chinese companies to reduce2983their reliance on foreign multinationals with date-specific targets for2984domestic content.2985    After drawing criticism from the Trump administration in 2018, the2986CCP quickly dropped any official mention of the program. Unfortunately2987the Belt and Road Initiative appears to repackage many of the worrisome2988components of the prior program under a different name. This has2989attracted renewed criticism of China's predatory trade practices,2990commonly exemplified by its seizure of the Hambantota Port Development2991Project in Sri Lanka.2992    China's mishandling of the current pandemic is further complicating2993the situation, as a growing number of participating countries approach2994China about renegotiating Belt and Road loans as their economies falter2995with every new COVID-19 outbreak. Misguided propaganda efforts and2996poorly conceived threats are not helping either. For how long can2997executives and boards ignore the rapidly deteriorating risk profile of2998doing business in China? So it seems inevitable that supply chain2999managers will increasingly look elsewhere whether of their own volition3000or at the urging of governments and consumers back home. Indeed, 403001percent of Americans now do not want to buy products from China.3002    Thinking ahead, potential winners and losers start to come into3003focus. First and foremost, U.S. West Coast ports are increasingly less3004attractive as the preferred gateway for imports and may even3005consolidate at some point in the future. Although they will continue to3006play an important role in U.S. trade, their best days are probably3007behind them. Attempts to accommodate megaships through investments in3008larger gantry cranes and automation will not be enough. Lower3009intermodal rates will not make the difference. The bottom line is that3010much of the utility of these ports lies in their ability to be a3011gateway for primarily Chinese imports destined to the two-thirds of the3012U.S. population living east of the Mississippi River. The U.S.3013consumer, more than China, is the most important driver in the global3014economy--and for the most part lives on the East Coast.3015    Now consider some of the potential winners. Canada's Prince Rupert3016is growing share thanks to fewer sailing days to China and North Asian3017countries like Japan and Korea as well as to transcontinental rail3018networks that are increasingly penetrating south of the border, such as3019Canadian National's acquisition of the Massena Line earlier this year.3020But as freight is more likely to arrive direct via the Suez Canal the3021deeper production moves into Southeast Asian countries from India to3022Vietnam, East Coast ports, especially New York with its large local and3023regional populations, will continue to grow their share of imports.3024Interestingly, even costly and highly polluting air freight has been3025growing its share of the pie, though future availability of passenger3026planes for surge capacity seems less certain given changing attitudes3027about travel in a post-COVID world. Regardless, all three of these3028alternatives enjoy the same competitive advantage over U.S. West Coast3029ports, irrespective of trade wars and production leaving or staying in3030China--speed to markets along the U.S. East Coast.3031    But what if this is just the beginning? The pandemic has brutally3032exposed the ``fragile efficiency'' of global supply chains. Economist3033Mohamed El-Erian summed it up recently saying that ``companies now will3034put greater emphasis on resilience versus efficiency.'' The situation3035is compounded by public demands that politicians take an active role in3036ensuring supply chains of national interest. Consistent with this3037growing sentiment, President Trump is mulling an executive order to3038require that vital drugs and medical devices be produced in the US.3039That said, the U.S. government response is not unique. One might even3040say that it is tame compared to Japan's decision to invest $2.2 billion3041to help Japanese companies shift production out of China.3042    More importantly, as the consumer prevails on upstream interests,3043supply chains must evolve towards a more responsive pull model of3044fulfillment from a traditional push model. In a world where speed to3045market is paramount to the seemingly unassailable rise of e-commerce as3046discussed in our previous article in this series, manufacturers will3047not only better diversify sourcing but also strive to employ shorter3048and faster supply chains. They will explore strategies of regional3049sourcing and even partial reshoring of production. Heightened concerns3050regarding China will simply amplify the sense of urgency, even if some3051companies will need more time. In fact 64 percent of companies3052contacted in a recent Thomas survey indicated their likelihood to bring3053production and sourcing back to North America. Results from Bank of3054America's Global Fund Manager survey released earlier this week confirm3055their findings in the chart below.3056    All this should bode well for manufacturing not only outside China3057but especially in the U.S. and neighboring countries like Mexico. It3058will further entail far-reaching implications across supply chains at3059home. In the next couple articles, we will take a closer look at what3060this might mean for domestic modes of transportation, starting with the3061trucking industry. Be certain to follow the American PetroLog page on3062LinkedIn and look for the article in your newsfeed. If you have not yet3063had a chance to read them, check out some of the other articles in this3064series.30653066[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]30673068                  American PetroLog, LLC--May 22, 202030693070[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]30713072Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Reshaping the Trucking Landscape3073    The current pandemic has taken the trucking industry on a roller-3074coaster and the ride will not be over any time soon. After an initial3075surge, volumes fell off dramatically sending rates plunging to five3076year lows. Truckload linehaul data dropped to 15-year lows. ATA's Chief3077Economist Bob Costello noted in an interview with Transport Topics that3078``the U.S. economy is likely in the midst of its deepest recession3079since the end of World War II.'' He notes that the chronic driver3080dearth has now become a surplus, illustrating the wild swing in volumes3081over the last couple months.3082    Demand destruction due to the pandemic will again cull the herd of3083owner operators. Last year the trucking industry experienced a3084``bloodbath'' due to rising insurance costs and trade tensions3085especially with China. The ongoing war of words between owner operators3086and brokers is indicative of how desperate the situation has become3087during the pandemic. Many carriers already pushed to the brink will not3088make it.3089    As previously noted, most business executives expect an eventual3090return to more moderate growth. Historic government bailouts should3091enable consumers to resume spending more quickly. The market will start3092to tighten. The survivors will see rates rise and soar exponentially,3093as we again approach full capacity. That is why we must position3094ourselves now for success later, even as we just try to get through3095today. Neglect long-term strategic relationships at your own peril.3096Understanding this is critical for carriers and shippers alike.3097    However, you must first understand the long-term. For starters, the3098recovery will probably be uneven. What and who brought you this far,3099may not be able to carry you in the future. In previous articles, we3100discussed how the current pandemic will likely accelerate already3101strong growth in e-commerce. Then we examined possible impacts on3102global supply chains in particular, noting a bias for speed-to-market3103that seems to favor deglobalization whether through more regional3104sourcing or even partial re-shoring of production. Again, these3105developments pre-dated the current crisis. We simply conclude that they3106will gain momentum in a fuller recovery.3107    For trucking, this means that service parameters will continue to3108become more demanding. Delivery windows at major retailers like Walmart3109have already gotten tighter. But it also implies a further decline in3110the average length-of-haul that has shrunk to just 500 miles or 623111percent of what it was in 2005. Worse still, this trend has been3112accelerating in more recent years.3113    The day will come when trucking capacity expands once more--some3114things never change. But it will not simply return to where it was3115lost. For example, if more import flows keep shifting to East Coast3116ports, then the market will need less trucking capacity in the west and3117more in the east. The trucks will also tend to move shorter distances,3118since two-thirds of the U.S. population already lives east of the3119Mississippi River. Instead trucking will continue ``to pivot toward3120that last-mile need.'' To the extent that we experience a reshoring of3121production in the US, this, too, would favor shorter lengths-of-haul in3122the east. As for bulk freight trucking specifically, this development3123would be very auspicious in a resurgent economy, even as the near-term3124remains mixed with an uptick in some commodities and a downturn in3125others.3126    Drivers would still be needed, just on a different route. Perhaps3127this change in traffic flows could finally help mitigate a number of3128the most vexing issues in the trucking industry. Shorter lengths-of-3129haul could lessen the impact of Hours of Service (HOS) rules and3130improve the safety profiles of carriers. If drivers are able to get3131home most nights, this would dramatically improve their lifestyle3132thereby enabling companies to recruit and retain more drivers. It may3133even help to improve their overall health, which is receiving increased3134attention from regulators.3135    If the near-shoring of production to Mexico increases as long3136anticipated, then cross-border trucking must expand in kind with its3137own unique set of challenges. Indeed, manufacturing consultants at3138Kearney revealed that Mexico stands to benefit after the pandemic in3139its annual Reshoring Index released last month. Such a development may3140even partially reverse some of the overall decline in lengths-of-haul.3141    Be it a matter of months or years, truck rates will eventually turn3142higher as capacity will have fallen too far to support a fuller3143recovery. Ironically, the final HOS ruling will probably make things3144worse in the near-term by generating additional capacity. Know that the3145longer it takes the trucking market to turn, the sharper the rebound.3146At that point shippers will be looking for alternatives like the3147railroads. In the next article, we will examine what all this may mean3148for railroads and more importantly how they are likely to respond. So3149be certain to follow American PetroLog on LinkedIn and look for it in3150your newsfeed. In the meantime, be certain to check out some of the3151other articles in this series.3152                                 ______31533154                  American PetroLog, LLC--May 26, 202031553156[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]31573158Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Less Intermodal, More Third-Party Rail3159        Partnerships3160    ``Every major industry was once a growth industry. But some that3161are now riding a wave of growth enthusiasm are very much in the shadow3162of decline.'' Such is the unsettling introduction to Harvard Business3163School professor Theodore Levitt's 1960 paper simply entitled Marketing3164Myopia. Levitt quickly identified the railroad industry as his poster3165child for marketing myopia adding that ``they let others take customers3166away from them because they assumed themselves to be in the railroad3167business rather than in the transportation business.'' This is3168particularly noteworthy in the current context.3169    On the one hand, the adoption of Hunter Harrison's Precision3170Scheduled Railroading (PSR) model as the industry standard invites a3171whole new level of scrutiny. Critics argue that operational3172effectiveness is measured primarily in short-term financial3173performance, no longer customer satisfaction. Ironically, this is3174happening at the same time that the nearly 200 CEO's of the Business3175Roundtable issued a statement saying that shareholder value is no3176longer their main objective. Railroad analyst Tony Hatch regularly3177derides the prevailing group-think as the ``Cult of OR,'' a measure3178comparing operating expenses to revenue.3179    Such criticism is directed as much at investors as it is at the3180railroads themselves. After all, Wall Street--not customers and3181railroad executives--established PSR as the industry standard either3182through activist investors or risk of the same. Indeed, the only3183railroad not to have formally adopted the PSR operating model is Warren3184Buffet's privately held BNSF. David Nahass of3185    RailwayAge echoed this sentiment when he recently asked, ``By3186applying outsized multiples to railroad stocks, is Wall Street3187unintentionally `preventing' the railroads from growing their franchise3188and increasing loadings--growing the top line--in pursuit of the lowest3189OR?''3190    On the other hand, the pandemic has dramatically hit already3191struggling rail volumes, despite record-setting financial performance.3192At last reading, total U.S. year-to-date traffic was down 12.5 percent3193to nearly 9.1 million carloads and intermodal units. In fact, last week3194it was reported that U.S. weekly carloads had declined over 30 percent,3195their largest percentage decline ever since AAR began collecting rail3196volume data in 1988. The need to stay close to customers is greatest at3197times like these. Unfortunately, this month railroads and their3198customers are instead squaring off in front of the Surface3199Transportation Board over demurrage and other supplemental charges. At3200the root of the problem is the pressure on railroads to focus3201increasingly on more profitable linehaul movements while taking an up-3202or-out approach to lower margin value-added services and operations on3203which many shippers have come to rely.3204    Understanding these dynamics is critical to evaluating how the3205railroads will respond to supply chain challenges in a post-COVID3206world, as laid out in previous articles.3207    For example, intermodal rail service with its emphasis on finished3208goods may very well follow coal into a secular downturn of sorts,3209particularly in the US. Recall from our previous article that two-3210thirds of the U.S. population lives east of the Mississippi River, and3211U.S. West Coast ports have historically been the best way to get there3212from China. As production leaves China, U.S. West Coast ports will lose3213share. Meanwhile, what remains of Chinese exports will continue to3214divert to growing Canadian ports to the extent possible, thanks to3215fewer sailing days. That said, intermodal volumes from south of the3216border should grow, if Mexico can capitalize on near-shore production3217trends. U.S. East Coast ports are also likely to see an increase in3218intermodal traffic destined for the American heartland, as production3219shifts deeper into Southeast Asia or even relocates regionally. The3220potential for the reshoring of some U.S. manufacturing should further3221bolster domestic intermodal. All of this would significantly reshape3222the intermodal landscape for years to come.3223    As industry observer Larry Gross of Gross Transportation Consulting3224recently observed, this ``dispersal'' of freight flows has the3225potential to upend intermodal supply chains reliant on lane volume3226density. He writes, ``The current intermodal focus on running the3227simplest possible network of the largest trains will also need to3228change in the years to come in order to adapt to this new reality.''3229Unfortunately, the net effect on intermodal rail volumes is likely to3230be negative so long as short-haul intermodal remains elusive. The fact3231is that most people live near the coasts and so near the ports with3232Chicagoland being the main exception. Just think of where all the3233lights are in a satellite image of the U.S. at night. Trucks have3234always enjoyed a competitive advantage in shorter lengths-of-haul for3235finished goods. Meanwhile, intermodal networks have curtailed service3236lanes and shuttered terminals with the PSR roll-out. Unlike other3237countries such as Australia, there simply is not the same appetite of3238years past at U.S. railroads to invest in a short-haul solution for a3239segment with less compelling margins.3240    More promising are the prospects for traditional carload service.3241Any increase in manufacturing in the U.S. or neighboring countries3242should generate incremental bulk shipments. Unlike finished goods, dry3243and liquid bulk shipments often favor rail transportation. (Though3244Oliver Wyman's Rod Case warns that potential changes in technology3245could swing the competitive advantage to truck, stunting carload growth3246through 2045.) Rail is more suitable than truck for such commodities in3247terms of modal efficiency and safety. Rail is also more flexible than3248barge and pipeline. Furthermore, mother nature has the first word in3249supply chain design for these commodities, from crops and trees to3250aggregates and petroleum products. This dictates not only length-of-3251haul but also the need for significant capacity often in remote places.3252More interestingly, carload linehaul service seems to benefit most in3253the PSR model.3254    Even so, other aspects of the PSR model pose challenges to3255capitalizing on this opportunity. The Surface Transportation Board3256review of demurrage and other supplemental charges specifically regard3257carload policies affecting the overall cost of rail service, not to3258mention ease of doing business. As railroads focus increasingly on more3259profitable linehaul, similar issues may arise with other value-added3260operations and services.3261    Consider the willingness of railroads to spin-off portions of their3262network to Short Lines. These smaller rail segments typically lack the3263density necessary to deliver the same asset utilization as the ``core''3264network. In this way, the railroads retain more profitable linehaul3265operations while outsourcing the complexity and inefficiencies of local3266service in low density rail branches.3267    We may see a similar evolution in value-added logistics services in3268the moment that they no longer generate sufficiently attractive3269returns. Union Pacific's recent decision to close its Rotterdam3270warehouse and shipping center acquired in 2017, driven by a sharp3271decline in demand for fresh produce during the pandemic, is one such3272example. Perhaps Canadian Pacific's announcement last year to enlist3273the support of a local transload provider at their railyard in Montreal3274suggests a more sustainable path forward.3275    Despite the impressive financial results of the PSR model, service3276defined by Hunter as ``doing what we say we'll do'' fails to ask what3277customers need and want. Levitt certainly would not be impressed. Yet3278collaborations like these with Short Lines and other third-party3279providers may indicate a way to reconcile PSR demands with market3280demands--at least in part. Expect these strategic partnerships to3281figure ever more prominently in the future.3282    Admittedly none of this is new. As in previous articles, we simply3283conclude that certain prevailing supply chain trends prior to the3284pandemic are likely to gain momentum in a post-COVID world and then3285give our perspective on what that means going forward. In our next and3286final article, we will instead consider still emerging technologies in3287manufacturing and how they might reinforce these supply chain trends3288through a more radical disruption of production planning. Be certain to3289like the American PetroLog page on LinkedIn and look for the article in3290your newsfeed. We also invite you to read the other articles in this3291series.3292                                 ______32933294                  American PetroLog, LLC--May 29, 202032953296[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]32973298Post-COVID Supply Chain Trends: Industry 4.0 & the Rise of Distributed3299        Manufacturing3300    Thus far in the course of this six-part series, we have examined3301four supply chain trends that are likely to prevail in a post-COVID3302world. Let us quickly review them here:33033304  1.  The need for speed in e-commerce is fast evolving towards more3305        distributed warehousing closer to consumers, suggesting an3306        increase in forward deployed inventory carrying costs.33073308  2.  As sourcing and production diversify away from China, U.S. West3309        Coast ports will lose share to both U.S. East Coast and3310        Canadian ports. More importantly, the need for shorter, faster3311        supply chains encourages near-shoring of production in Mexico3312        and elsewhere in this hemisphere, as well as the re-shoring of3313        production in the US.33143315  3.  All this will ultimately reshape traffic flows and have a3316        dramatic impact on domestic modes of transportation. Expect an3317        increase in shorter lengths-of-haul off the East Coast for3318        trucking along with continued emphasis on the last-mile.33193320  4.  Similarly, railroads will experience significant volume declines3321        in intermodal potentially offset by an increase in carload3322        volumes. Third party partnerships will be critical to their3323        capitalizing on the opportunity given constraints imposed by3324        the PSR operating model.33253326    What all of these trends have in common is that they were already3327emerging prior to the current pandemic. That is what makes them so3328compelling. Yet author and business executive Seth Godin would remind3329us that ``Change is never perfect. Change means reinvention, and until3330something is reinvented, we have no idea what the spec is.''3331    Perhaps the greatest challenge to emerge as a result of these four3332trends would be a begrudging rise in inventories. Indeed, it seems to3333be as unassailable as the rise of e-commerce itself. As already3334anticipated, online retailers will again push as much of this cost as3335possible onto manufacturers. More difficult still, the current3336generation of business leaders that rose through the ranks thanks to3337their embrace of just-in-time inventory management will struggle to3338adapt to this new normal. Thus far, they have been able to stomach3339costly and highly polluting air freight to meet the ever-greater3340demands of e-commerce while maintaining longer supply chains.3341Nevertheless, in recent years air freight has started to struggle to3342keep pace.3343    Out of this necessity will eventually come our fifth and final3344supply chain trend likely to emerge after the current pandemic:3345distributed manufacturing. This form of decentralized manufacturing3346typically entails small-scale production closer to end consumers that3347is capable of churning out smaller batch quantities on demand. The3348long-term consequences for the manufacturing sector seem somewhat3349analogous to the impact of ``mini-mills'' on the domestic steel3350industry, which catapulted Nucor to a leadership position that it still3351holds today. Just as the invention of the electric-arc furnace was3352critical in the transformation of the steel industry, technology will3353be crucial to the evolution towards distributed manufacturing.3354    Indeed, Deloitte refers to it as the fourth industrial revolution3355or more simply Industry 4.0. Just do not look for a silver bullet. This3356vision relies on complex, tailored systems of interconnected digital3357and physical technologies. Value is created by combining real-time3358insights from big data, cloud computing and the Internet of Things with3359the small-scale efficiencies of robotics, automation and 3D printing.3360    The textile sector in particular is worth considering as this3361transformation unfolds. Thanks to both a heavy reliance on3362manufacturing and strong customer engagement with their products, these3363industries frequently serve as harbingers of trends to come. Indeed,3364textile industries have typically been among the early movers ever3365since the first industrial revolution. Their manufacturers were among3366the first to move production off-shore eventually finding their way to3367China. Then they were among the first to leave China for other3368countries like Vietnam. Even in the vast world of e-commerce, nowhere3369is the need for speed greater than with the emergence of the See Now,3370Buy Now phenomenon that has upended the way the fashion industry3371operates--and generated many inventory woes in the process.3372    The smaller scale of distributed manufacturing operations brings3373production closer to end-consumers. Not only does this cut down on the3374cost of inventories, but also helps to reduce and optimize3375transportation costs across the supply chain. After all, boxes of3376finished goods often contain a lot of air. Just think about a truck3377full of sneakers. However, distributed manufacturing would favor more3378shipments of bulk commodities and intermediate goods in lieu of3379finished products. After all, the final product can then be created or3380assembled just around the block.3381    The impact on supply chain costs will be akin to the shrinking of3382electronics and the reduced water content of detergents and household3383cleaners. Once these technologies and systems of technologies come of3384age, one could image a world of See Now, Buy Now . . . Produce Now.3385    Manufactures are already getting an early glimpse of the potential3386value of product customization made possible by better data combined3387with better technology. Nike is a great case in this regard starting3388with the launch of NikeID in 2000. The program has since expanded from3389being offered only online to over 100 in-store ``studios'' worldwide.3390Last year Nike rebranded the initiative as Nike by You in an effort to3391better communicate this notion of collaborative product development,3392helping to grow e-commerce sales by 42 percent in its first fiscal3393quarter. Daniel Edmundson, Strategy Director at Gretel, sums up the3394trend as such: ``The next generation of consumers is setting a high bar3395for customization to express all facets of their identity and3396individuality.''3397    Again the textile sector is at the forefront of this still emerging3398trend, though you can already formulate your own bespoke fragrance and3399cosmetics to complement your personalized clothes and sneakers.3400Meanwhile, the practical potential of Industry 4.0 is also fast3401emerging in other sectors, like healthcare where these technology3402systems are currently being leveraged for everything from personalized3403implants and prosthetics to workable models of tumors and organs for3404tailored treatments.3405    To a large extent, the advent of distributed manufacturing will be3406symbiotic with that of the other four trends. Digital e-commerce3407platforms play a crucial role in generating data insights critical to3408developing distributed manufacturing systems, in turn helping to drive3409further penetration and growth for online retailers. Whether producing3410or simply assembling the product closer to the consumer, distributed3411manufacturing takes the concept of faster, shorter supply chains to a3412whole new level. Consequently, the trucking industry will continue to3413focus on the last-mile, whereas railroads and their strategic third-3414party partners will instead focus more on carload shipments of dry and3415liquid bulk commodities and intermediate products.3416    Although private enterprise and national policies will be important3417to realizing the Industry 4.0 revolution, local governments and3418organizations must be willing to play a vital role in order to ensure3419its success. After all, the genius of distributed manufacturing is3420precisely the fact that it is local. The first forays will likely occur3421in the largest urban centers.3422    Watch for New York City to be an early winner. In addition to a3423large local and regional population of consumers, city government is3424already actively promoting distributed manufacturing to support local3425industries and entrepreneurs. The NY Economic Development Corporation3426frames the opportunity as follows: ``Technological advances and new3427ways of doing business are shaping a new manufacturing system, with a3428focus on smaller, more flexible production.'' Meanwhile, the Port3429Authority of New York and New Jersey has actively worked to ensure that3430the city's infrastructure satisfies both short and long-term needs. On3431the one hand, investments like raising the Bayonne Bridge to3432accommodate larger ocean carriers have proven critical to facilitating3433the shift in imports to the U.S. East Coast. On the other hand, recent3434upgrades to NYNJ Rail's carfloat operations and the opening of a new3435transload site right in the heart of Brooklyn at the 65th Street3436Railyard, guarantee that the local infrastructure can efficiently serve3437manufacturers in the big city. Not only do investments like these3438support existing industries in areas like the North Brooklyn Industrial3439Business Zone, but also lay the foundation for future growth through3440distributed manufacturing.3441    In closing, we would be remiss if we did not acknowledge the3442immense human and economic suffering caused by the pandemic.3443Specifically, New York City is among the hardest hit. The devastation3444in the Big Apple has captured the attention of the Nation and the3445world. At times uncertainty about the future abounds. As one New York3446Post opinion writer wrote earlier this week, ``NYC's urban model faces3447existential crisis in post-pandemic world.''3448    Yet as we reflect on the implications of these five post-COVID3449supply chain trends identified in this six-part series, we cannot help3450but to think that the city's best days are still ahead. New York, like3451many urban centers, is well positioned to capitalize on these five3452post-COVID supply chain trends. Rest assured that the impact of these3453trends is more enduring than that of the virus.3454                                 ______34553456[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]34573458    The Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Zerzan.34593460                  STATEMENT OF GREGORY ZERZAN,34613462                 NOMINEE TO BE GENERAL COUNSEL,34633464           UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION34653466    Mr. Zerzan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. My great fear that3467introductions would be done in alphabetical order has been3468realized.3469    Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Cantwell, and3470Members of the Committee for allowing me to appear before you3471today. I am Greg Zerzan, and I have been nominated for the3472position of General Counsel of the Department of3473Transportation.3474    To begin, I would like to thank President Trump for putting3475his faith in me by nominating me for this position. I was born3476in Portland, Oregon, as the youngest child of Charles and Joan3477Zerzan. My parents were both members of the greatest generation3478who lived through the Great Depression, the Second World War,3479and the Cold War. Dad fought in the China-Burma-India theater3480of the war; and mom served as a volunteer plane spotter while3481working on ranches in Southern Oregon and Northern California.3482    My parents met in college after dad returned from the3483fighting. At the end of their wedding ceremony in Milwaukee,3484Wisconsin, where dad was attending medical school, the priest3485gave my parents the standard injunction to be fruitful. Go3486forth and multiply. A task they took to with enthusiasm and3487alacrity, going on to have 12 children, mostly on army bases3488across America.3489    I am privileged to be the youngest of those 12. My parents3490taught us that God, family, and country are the three great3491causes to which one might profitably dedicate one's life. They3492also taught us that the things that unite us are far more3493important than the things that divide us.3494    One of my earliest political memories was my father's3495unbridled enthusiasm for Governor Ronald Reagan's campaign for3496the presidency in 1980. And in equal measure his frustration3497that he could not convince my mom not to vote to reelect3498President Carter, whom, she said seemed like an honorable man.3499I mentioned my parents because they taught us that it was3500important, indeed necessary, to work together even when we3501disagree.3502    It is my hope that if I am so fortunate as to be confirmed,3503I will bring these lessons with me to the Department. If I am3504so fortunate as to be confirmed, I promise I will do my best to3505live out the values my parents taught us, and to work with you3506with respect and humility, even if there are sincere policy3507disagreements.3508    Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, I would like to3509thank you for your service to this country. I would like to3510thank Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, for allowing me to serve3511at the Department these last 6 months. I would like to thank3512the excellent, professional, career civil servants with whom I3513have had the privilege of serving now in three administrations.3514I can say with no false modesty that to the extent I have3515enjoyed any professional success, it is in large measure3516because of our hardworking career Federal workforce.3517    Last, and most importantly, Mr. Chairman, I would like to3518thank my beautiful wife, Shannon. She made me a Texan, and a3519father to our boys, Charlie and George. No matter whatever else3520happens in my life, I will consider myself a success for having3521convinced her to marry me.3522    Thank you all very much for this opportunity.3523    [The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.3524Zerzan follow:]35253526  Prepared Statement of Gregory Zerzan, Nominee for General Counsel,3527                   U.S. Department of Transportation3528    Good morning, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Cantwell and Members of3529the Committee, and thank you for allowing me to appear before you3530today. My name is Greg Zerzan and I have been nominated for the3531position of General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Transportation.3532    To begin, I would like to thank President Trump for placing his3533faith in me by nominating me for this position.3534    I was born in Portland, Oregon, as the youngest child of Charles3535and Joan Zerzan.\1\ My parents were both members of the Greatest3536Generation, who lived through the Great Depression, the Second World3537War, and the Cold War. Dad fought in the China-Burma-India theater of3538the second world war; Mom served as a volunteer plane spotter while3539working on ranches in Southern Oregon and Northern California.3540---------------------------------------------------------------------------3541    \1\ The Honorable Greg Walden graciously eulogized my parents in3542the Congressional Record, which can be found here (Tribute to Dr.3543Charles Joseph Zerzan Jr., Congressional Record, Volume 154 Issue 903544(Tuesday, June 3, 2008) and here (Commemorating the Life of Joan3545Margaret Kathan Zerzan Congressional Record, Volume 159 Issue 363546(Wednesday, March 13, 2013)3547---------------------------------------------------------------------------3548    My parents met in college after Dad returned from the fighting. At3549the end of their wedding ceremony in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Dad3550was attending medical school, the priest gave my parents the standard3551injunction to ``be fruitful; go forth, and multiply.'' My parents took3552to this task with enthusiasm and alacrity, going on to have 12 children3553mostly on Army bases across America. I am the last and youngest of3554these 12.3555    My parents taught us that God, family and country are the three3556great causes to which one might profitably dedicate one's life. They3557also taught us that the things that unite us are far more important3558than those that divide us. One of my earliest political memories was my3559Dad's unbridled enthusiasm for Ronald Reagan during the 1980 campaign,3560and in equal measure, his frustration that he could not dissuade my Mom3561from voting for President Carter, who, she said, seemed like an3562honorable man.3563    I mention my parents because they taught us that it is important to3564disagree without being disagreeable. Our family was a large, diverse3565organization and my parents taught us that it was possible, indeed,3566necessary, to work together even when we disagreed. It is my hope, if I3567am so fortunate as to be confirmed, that I will bring these lessons3568with me to the Department. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I3569promise I will do my best to live out the values my parents taught us,3570and to work with you all with respect and humility, even if there are3571sincere policy disagreements.3572    Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee, if I may I would like to3573close by thanking you for your service to our country. I would like to3574thank Interior Secretary Burgum for having put his faith in me these3575last several months. I would like to thank the excellent, professional3576career civil servants with whom I have now had the privilege of serving3577in three Presidential Administrations--it is with no false modesty that3578I can say that, to the extent I have enjoyed any professional success,3579it is because of the hard working, dedicated, patriotic members of our3580career civil service.3581    Lastly and most importantly, Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my3582beautiful wife, Shannon. She made me a Texan and a father, to our two3583sons, Charlie and George. No matter whatever else happens in my life I3584will consider myself a success for having somehow convinced her to3585marry me.3586    Thank you all very much for this opportunity.3587                                 ______35883589                      a. biographical information3590    1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Gregory Peter3591Zerzan.3592    2. Position to which nominated: General Counsel, USDOT.3593    3. Date of Nomination: June 3, 2025.3594    4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):35953596        Residence: Information not released to the public.3597        Office: Information not provided.35983599    5. Date and Place of Birth: Portland, Oregon USA.3600    6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your3601spouse (if married) or domestic partner, and the names and ages of your3602children (including stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).3603    Shannon Zerzan3604    7. List all college and graduate schools attended, whether or not3605you were granted a degree by the institution. Provide the name of the3606institution, the dates attended, the degree received, and the date of3607the degree.36083609        Willamette University, BA--Political Science, May 19933610        Willamette University, JD, May 199636113612    8. List all post-undergraduate employment, including the job title,3613name of employer, and inclusive dates of employment, and highlight all3614management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to3615the position for which you are nominated. (Management Jobs are denoted3616with as asterisk; Please note dates are approximate)36173618        Law Clerk:3619        Kelly Clark, May 1994-March 199536203621        Legislative Assistant and District Office Assistant:3622        Congressman Jim Bunn, June 1995-March 199636233624        Attorney:3625        Kell Alterman and Runstein, May 1996-September 19963626        U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, September 1996-May 20003627        Dechert Price and Rhoads, May 2000-August 20003628        House Committee on Banking/Financial Services--August 2000-3629        March 200336303631        Deputy Assistant Secretary*:3632        U.S. Department of the Treasury, March 2003-July 200536333634        Chief of Strategy:3635        Thetus Corporation, September 2005-February 200636363637        Counsel and Head of Global Public Policy*:3638        International Swaps and Derivatives Association, March 2006-3639        November 200936403641        Director:3642        Koch Companies Private Sector, March 2010-July 201736433644        Attorney:3645        House Committee on Energy and Commerce, September 2017-March3646        20193647        U.S. Department of the Interior*, March 2019-January 20213648        Jordan Ramis* PC, April 2021-June 20223649        General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer*: encore3650        Energy Corp, July 2022-November 202336513652        Attorney:3653        Fisher Phillips LLP, May 2024-January 20253654        U.S. Department of the Interior*, February 2025 to present36553656    9. Attach a copy of your resume. Please see a copy of my current3657resume at attachment A.3658    10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time3659service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other3660than those listed above after 18 years of age. N/A.3661    11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,3662partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any3663corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,3664educational, or other institution (Please note, dates are approximate).36653666        Board Member, Commodity Markets Council (2016-2017)36673668        Board Member, CureSMA ((2014-2017)36693670        Board Member, Securities Investor Protection Corporation (2005)36713672        Board Member, Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation (2005)36733674        Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, encore Energy3675        Corp (2022-2023)36763677    12. List all memberships you have had after 18 years of age or3678currently hold with any civic, social, charitable, educational,3679political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or religiously3680affiliated organization, private club, or other membership organization3681(You do not have to list your religious affiliation or membership in a3682religious house of worship or institution). Include dates of membership3683and any positions you have held with any organization. Please note3684whether any such club or organization restricts membership on the basis3685of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.36863687        Portland, Oregon toastmasters club, 1995 to present, membership3688        restricted to males3689        Sigma Chi Fraternity, 1989 to present, membership restricted to3690        males36913692    13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office3693(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any3694campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are3695personally liable for that debt. N/A3696    14. List all memberships and offices held with and services3697rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or3698election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid3699position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether3700compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,3701identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year3702of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.37033704        Volunteer, Donald J Trump for President, 2016-2020-202437053706    15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign3707organization, political party, political action committee, or similar3708entity of $200 or more for the past ten years.3709    Please see Appendix D.3710    16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary3711society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition3712for outstanding service or achievements.37133714        Distinguished Service Award, U.S. Treasury, 200537153716    17. List all books, articles, columns, letters to the editor,3717Internet blog postings, or other publications you have authored,3718individually or with others. Include a link to each publication when3719possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the3720publication when available.3721    I have written and published extensively throughout my professional3722career. For a good faith attempt to gather these records please see3723Appendix B.3724    18. List all speeches, panel discussions, and presentations (e.g.,3725PowerPoint) that you have given on topics relevant to the position for3726which you have been nominated. Include a link to each publication when3727possible. If a link is not available, provide a digital copy of the3728speech or presentation when available. N/A3729    19. List all public statements you have made during the past ten3730years, including statements in news articles and radio and podcasts and3731television appearances, which are on topics relevant to the position3732for which you have been nominated, including dates. Include a link to3733each statement when possible. If a link is not available, provide a3734digital copy of the statement when available.37353736        They have only themselves to blame for high prices37373738        Energy prices are a result of policies: Former acting assistant3739        treasury secretary37403741        Government Regulation Lessons Learned and the Path Forward37423743        Will gas stoves prevail in the long run?37443745        The Biden admin has conducted an unprecedented war on fossil3746        fuels: Greg Zerzan37473748        Americans energy companies don't have oil and gas to export:3749        Greg Zerzan37503751        Klamath irrigators applaud new guidance on Endangered Species3752        Act37533754        Interior Department deals new setbacks to offshore wind37553756        Interior grounds some migratory bird protections37573758        Interior suspends Biden-era legal opinions37593760        Trump Administration Executive Order Sets Course for U.S.3761        Mineral Production and Supply Chain Resilience37623763    20. List all digital platforms (including social media and other3764digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated3765an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your3766name or an alias. Include the full name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'',3767including the complete URL and username with hyperlinks, you have used3768on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account is active,3769deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if possible.37703771        Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/share/16d1a2yVQp/3772        X--https://x.com/gzerzan?t=yGP-0-kjOBIwcHPj10licg&s=0937733774    21. Please identify each instance in which you have testified3775orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-3776governmental capacity and specify the date, committee, and subject3777matter of each testimony.37783779        ``Cleaning Up Cryptocurrency: The Energy Impacts of3780        Blockchain,'' House Committee on Energy and Commerce, January3781        20, 202237823783        Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation Policy, House3784        Committee on Agriculture, June 2, 200437853786        Commodity Exchange Act Policy, House Committee on Agriculture,3787        September 26, 200737883789        Commodity Exchange Act Policy, House Committee on Agriculture,3790        July 10, 200837913792    22. Given the current mission, major programs, and major3793operational objectives of the department/agency/commission/corporation3794to which you have been nominated, what in your background or employment3795experience do you believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment3796to the position for which you have been nominated, and why do you wish3797to serve in that position?3798    I have been privileged to serve in senior roles in both the public3799and private sector and have worked for or with the Federal government3800for most of my career. It has been my honor to work with career Federal3801civil servants and witness firsthand their commitment and dedication to3802fulfilling the mission of their agency and the U.S. government. I hope3803to use this experience to help the Department fulfill its statutory3804purpose as mandated by Congress, pursuant to the policy direction of3805President Trump and Secretary Duffy.3806    23. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to3807ensure that the department/agency/commission/corporation has proper3808management and accounting controls, and what experience do you have in3809managing a large organization?3810    If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I believe it will be my3811responsibility to comply with all laws, rules, regulations and best3812ethical practices. I will work with agency leadership and the career3813Federal workforce to help ensure departmental compliance with the same.3814I have held senior roles in both the Federal government as well as the3815private sector, including my current duties as acting Solicitor of the3816Department of the Interior, which has helped me to gain a firm3817understanding of the needs of managing a Federal agency legal3818department.3819    24. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the3820department/agency/commission/corporation, and why?3821    As I have not been working at the Department, I follow the lead of3822Secretary Duffy as stated in his response to this question wherein he3823identified the areas of Aviation Safety and Infrastructure,3824Infrastructure Development and Management, and Regulation of Emerging3825Transportation Technologies as the three top issues facing the3826Department. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I would work to3827support the Secretary in his efforts to remove regulatory barriers to3828innovation while continuing to ensure safety and security across3829transportation modes.3830                   b. potential conflicts of interest3831    1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation3832agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,3833clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement3834accounts, such as a 401(k) or pension plan.3835    I will continue to receive health insurance coverage from my former3836employer, encore Energy Corp, until December 1, 2025.3837    I also will continue to participate in a defined benefit plan with3838my former employer, Koch Industries.3839    These arrangements are fully described in Part 3 of my Public3840Financial Disclosure Report.3841    2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,3842to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,3843association, or other organization during your appointment? If so,3844please explain. No.3845    3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other3846relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in3847the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will3848resolve each potential conflict of interest.3849    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with3850the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's3851Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify any potential conflicts3852of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will continue to be3853resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I3854have entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics3855Official and that has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware3856of any other potential conflicts of interest.3857    4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial3858transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for3859yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in3860any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the3861position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve3862each potential conflict of interest.3863    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with3864the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's3865Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify any potential conflicts3866of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will continue to be3867resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I3868have entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics3869Official and that has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware3870of any other potential conflicts of interest.3871    5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest and explain3872how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.3873    In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with3874the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's3875Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify any potential conflicts3876of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will continue to be3877resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I3878have entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics3879Official and that has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware3880of any other potential conflicts of interest.3881    6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the3882names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the3883purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or3884modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and3885execution of law or public policy.3886    Koch Companies Public Sector, registered lobbyist, 2010-20163887(approx.)3888                            c. legal matters3889    1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,3890professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a3891complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special3892Counsel, an Inspector General, professional association, disciplinary3893committee, or other professional group? No.3894    If yes:38953896  a.  Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or3897        group;38983899  b.  Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or3900        personnel action was issued or initiated;39013902  c.  Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or3903        personnel action;39043905  d.  Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,3906        complaint, or personnel action.3907    N/A3908    2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by3909any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,3910State, county, municipal, or foreign government entity, other than for3911a minor traffic offense? If so, please explain. N/A3912    3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were3913an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency3914proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please3915explain. N/A3916    4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo3917contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic3918offense? If so, please explain.3919    N/A3920    5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual3921assault, sexual harassment, or discrimination on the basis of sex,3922race, religion, or any other basis? If so, please explain. N/A3923    6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,3924favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in3925connection with your nomination.3926    N/A3927                     d. relationship with committee3928    1. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/3929corporation complies with deadlines for information set by3930congressional committees, and that your department/agency/commission/3931corporation endeavors to timely comply with requests for information3932from individual Members of Congress, including requests from members in3933the minority?3934    Yes, I will respond to such requests for information as3935appropriate.3936    2. Will you ensure that your department/agency/commission/3937corporation does whatever it can to protect congressional witnesses and3938whistleblowers from reprisal for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.3939    3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested3940witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with3941firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee?3942    Yes, I will respond to the Committee's requests as appropriate.3943    4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly3944constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be3945reasonably requested to do so? Yes.3946                                 ______39473948                               Appendix A3949                        Resume of Gregory Zerzan3950U.S. GOVERNMENT3951U.S. Department of the Interior (March 2019-January 2021; February 20253952to present)39533954Senior Advisor, Acting Solicitor and Principal Deputy Solicitor3955Managing legal officer for a Federal agency focused on implementing3956President Trump's energy dominance agenda through project development,3957managing natural resources and reforming environmental policy.39583959United States House of Representatives, Committees on Financial3960Services, Agriculture and Energy & Commerce (Variously, 2000-2019)3961Senior Counsel3962Provided counsel to Members of Congress for congressional committees3963having jurisdiction in the areas of financial policy, energy,3964technology and natural resources.39653966U.S. Department of the Treasury (March 2003-July 2005)3967Deputy Assistant Secretary and Acting Assistant Secretary3968Policymaking official for financial markets, banking and GSEs.3969PRIVATE SECTOR3970Fisher Phillips, Dallas, TX and Washington, D.C. (May 2024-January39712025)3972Of Counsel and Senior Advisor3973Legal practice at multinational law firm.39743975enCore Energy Corp., Dallas, TX (July 2022-December 2023)3976Chief Administrative Officer, Corporate Secretary and General Counsel3977Managed legal and corporate affairs for NYSE-listed energy company.39783979Jordan Ramis LLC, Portland, Oregon/Washington, D.C. (April 2021-June39802022)3981Shareholder3982Partner at Pacific Northwest law firm focused on natural resources,3983energy, technology and finance.39843985Koch Industries (March 2010-July 2017)3986Director for Finance and Trading3987Managed matters related to government affairs and commodity trading3988compliance39893990International Swaps and Derivatives Association (March 2006-November39912009)3992Head of Global Public Policy and Counsel3993Managed government affairs for international financial services trade3994association.3995EDUCATION3996Juris Doctorate, Willamette University College of Law Bachelor of Arts,3997Willamette University3998BAR ADMISSIONS3999Oregon and District of Columbia4000                                 ______40014002                               APPENDIX B4003Corporate Transparency Act AGAIN Blocked Nationwide--All Filing4004Deadlines Once Again Suspended as of December 26 | JD Supra40054006Court Revives Corporate Transparency Act and Employers Have New January400713 Reporting Deadline: 3 Things Employers Need to Do | JD Supra400840093 Things Employers Need to Know About the Recent Corporate Transparency4010Act Injunction | JD Supra401140123 Things Employers Need to Know As Congress Returns from Summer Recess4013| JD Supra40144015White House Takes Aim at Inefficient Business Practices Through ``Time4016Is Money'' Initiative: 5 Things Employers Should Do | JD Supra401740183 Things Employers Need to Know About the Congressional Review Act and4019the Upcoming Elections | JD Supra40204021FP Snapshot on Manufacturing Industry: New Program Encouraging4022Corporate Whistleblowing Puts Manufacturers on Notice | JD Supra40234024Ignoring BRICS Expansion Threatens America's Economic Security To Fight4025Climate Change, Stop Discouraging American Innovation Why Governments4026Hate Cryptocurrency40274028West Coast Offshore Wind Closer to Becoming a Reality40294030Why Carbon Pricing Is Ultimately a Tax On Everything40314032Biden's Energy Policies Harm U.S. Producers While Helping America's4033Rivals Carbon pricing is an economic bomb and a tax on everything40344035Yellen Can't Save the Polar Bears40364037More Government Heal Care Means A Smaller U.S. Military40384039Will Walmart Pay for the Next Bailout? Wall Street Reform Hits Main4040Street The Emerging Threat of BRICS40414042Dollar is a National Security Issue Zombieland40434044Do Your Employees Get Time Off to Vote? A State-By-State Guide for4045Employers40464047How Will the Election and Recent Legislative Trends Impact Tipped4048Wages?40494050Crypto Needs a Section 23040514052China's `Digital Yuan' and the Race for a Global Digital Currency4053                                 ______40544055                               Appendix D4056405709-19-2022               $1,000   ABBOTT, GREG (R)    TX405810-18-2022                 $500   Patrick McHenry     Federal4059                                   (R)406010-05-2022                 $500   Mike Lee (R)        Federal406102-05-2021               $1,000   PULLIAM, STAN (R)   OR406206-30-2021                 $500   Patrick McHenry     Federal4063                                   (R)406409-14-2021                 $500   PULLIAM, STAN (R)   OR406509-16-2022               $1,000   DRAZAN, CHRISTINE   OR4066                                   (R)406709-30-2023               $1,000   Bill Huizenga (R)   Federal406806-15-2023                 $500   Bryan Steil (R)     Federal406906-30-2024               $1,500   Bill Huizenga (R)   Federal407009-30-2023                 $500   Jeff Duncan (R)     Federal407108-18-2022                 $250   Lori Chavez-        Federal4072                                   Deremer (R)407311-15-2021               $1,000   Bill Huizenga (R)   Federal407402-09-2022               $1,500   Bill Huizenga (R)   Federal407506-30-2021                 $500   Cathy McMorris      Federal4076                                   Rodgers (R)407704-04-2022                 $500   Cathy McMorris      Federal4078                                   Rodgers (R)407906-13-2023                 $500   Cliff Bentz (R)     Federal408006-29-2024                 $500   Cliff Bentz (R)     Federal408107-26-2024                $2500   BMW Victory         Federal4082                                   Committee40834084                                 ______40854086  Addendum to the questionnaire submitted to the Senate Committee on4087Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 119th Congress by Gregory Zerzan4088    Please find additional information as requested by Oversight and4089Investigations Minority Staff:40904091    A.6--Please specify whether Mr. Zerzan's spouse is employed. My4092spouse is not employed.4093    A.7--Please specify the dates Mr. Zerzan attended Willamette4094University for both his JD and bachelor's degree.4095    I attended Willamette University from August 1989 until May 1993.4096    I attended Willamette University College of Law from August 19934097until May 1996.4098    A.8--Please provide Mr. Zerzan's job title in each role as4099requested in the questionnaire.41004101        (Dates are approximate)41024103        Law Clerk, Kelly Clark, May 1994-March 199541044105        Legislative Assistant and District Office Assistant,4106        Congressman Jim Bunn, June 1995-March 199641074108        Associate, Kell Alterman and Runstein, May 1997-September 199741094110        Counsel, U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, September 1997-4111        May 200041124113        Associate, Dechert Price and Rhoads, May 2000-August 200041144115        Counsel, House Committee on Banking/Financial Services--August4116        2000-March 200341174118        Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of the Treasury,4119        March 2003-July 200541204121        Chief of Strategy, Thetus Corporation, September 2005-February4122        200641234124        Counsel and Head of Global Public Policy, International Swaps4125        and Derivatives Association, March 2006-November 200941264127        Director, Koch Companies Private Sector, March 2010-July 201741284129        Counsel, House Committee on Energy and Commerce, September4130        2017-March 201941314132        Deputy Solicitor and Principal Deputy Solicitor, U.S.4133        Department of the Interior, March 2019-January 202141344135        Shareholder, Jordan Ramis PC, April 2021-June 202241364137        General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Administrative4138        Officer, encore Energy Corp, July 2022-November 202341394140        Of Counsel, Fisher Phillips LLP, May 2024-January 202541414142        Counselor to the Secretary and Principal Deputy Solicitor, U.S.4143        Department of the Interior, February 2025 to present41444145    A.14--Mr. Zerzan identified he was a volunteer on the 2016, 2020,4146and 2024 presidential campaigns for Donald Trump. Please identify4147responsibilities held as requested in the questionnaire.41484149        Volunteer: 2016--phone banking41504151        Volunteer: 2020--ballot count monitor41524153        Volunteer: 2024--election day counseling41544155    C.1--Sub-questions a-d were removed. Please revise and submit a4156supplemental as appropriate.41574158  a.  Provide the name of the court, agency, association, committee, or4159        group;41604161  b.  Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or4162        personnel action was issued or initiated;41634164  c.  Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or4165        personnel action;41664167  d.  Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,4168        complaint, or personnel action.4169    None41704171    The Chairman. Well, I commend your wife on her excellent4172judgment making you a Texan.4173    All right. Ms. Oz, we know that human error is the leading4174cause of car crashes. In your judgment, how close are we to a4175world where AV technology can significantly reduce traffic4176fatalities, and what do you see as the biggest obstacle to that4177happening?4178    Ms. Oz. Senator Cruz, thank you very much for that critical4179question, and it is one that keeps most of us up at night. We4180have the ability to bring forward a Federal regulatory4181environment that will not only create clear consistent4182direction for the industry, but also enable us to surface above4183the deaths that we have had that are completely solvable. AV4184technology, and specifically safe self-driving vehicles and4185robotic technology has proven to be safer by all metrics shown4186in the public records. And so it is my responsibility, if4187confirmed, to ensure that we bring that to the forefront of4188this discussion.4189    The Chairman. The U.S. right now lacks a Federal framework4190for AVs. Our regulatory framework is fragmented with different4191rules deployed in each state. Meanwhile, countries like Germany4192and China have national-level coordination in testing,4193deployment, and product liability. How could the U.S. lose its4194competitive edge to other countries in advancing this tech if4195the continued fractured system remains?4196    Ms. Oz. The fractured system, Senator and Committee, is due4197to the fact that we have different regulatory standards across4198different states. And you can imagine, your state in4199particular, is pretty laissez-faire about it. But if you go to4200California----4201    The Chairman. We tend to be that way about a lot.4202    [Laughter.]4203    Ms. Oz.--if you go to California, you have driving permit4204requirements, data requirements, which are not bad, but they4205have to be some degree standardized. So my biggest concern is,4206China is proving to be a very healthy competitor in this area.4207I do not think of them as an enemy as much as I think of them4208as an adversary or a competitor that has taken a very strong4209mandate to making this a strategic, an economic decision to4210ensuring that--and as well as existential to their livelihood,4211to ensuring that AV technology gets on the roads in a very fast4212way.4213    They are building this technology orders of magnitude4214faster than we are, and have commanded now the 2025 mandate to4215use local chips on all robotaxis. And if they have 10,0004216robotaxis right now driving, that means you can imagine the4217number of chips they are going to be starting to build up. So4218as we think about the foundational expertise in this country4219and the technology we built here, we need to make sure that our4220stack gets built on U.S. chips. And in that respect, I would be4221very interested in the Made-in-America approach and ensuring4222that we protect that along the way. Thank you.4223    The Chairman. Mr. Zerzan, the Biden-Buttigieg DOT failed to4224replace the outdated air traffic control system, but they4225spent, it was just reported, roughly $80 billion on DEI grants4226and extraneous environmental goals. If confirmed, how would4227you, from a legal standpoint, help DOT refocus on its core4228safety mission, including by eliminating ideological grant4229requirements not justified by statute?4230    Mr. Zerzan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I believe it is4231important for the Department to follow the laws that Congress4232has passed. And so to the extent extraneous matters are put4233into rulemakings or other policies that are not justified by4234the law those should be addressed and remedied.4235    Obviously, I am not at the Department so I do not have a4236great deal of familiarity with Secretary Duffy's approach in4237this respect, but I can say at the Department of the Interior4238we have taken very seriously the President's mandate to ensure4239that the laws are being followed and that there are not4240extraneous matters being included in our regulatory policies.4241    The Chairman. Thank you. Mr. Rutherford, the Office of4242Multimodal Freight oversees the development of the National4243Multimodal Freight Network, the federally designated network of4244highways, railways, ports, airports, and other infrastructure4245are critical to the efficient movement of freight across the4246United States. Within this network, shippers and transportation4247operators are often at odds with each other.4248    For example, shippers may demand faster delivery, but4249carriers may be constrained by driver shortages or port4250congestion. Based on your experience working with both shippers4251and operators, how can the Office of Multimodal Freight help4252bridge these gaps?4253    Mr. Rutherford. Thank you for the question, Senator. One of4254the objectives clearly for the Freight Office is to address4255issues of congestion. And congestion is the enemy of asset4256utilization. When we fix problems of congestion, you are not4257just--you are not just driving down cost, but you are actually4258generating additional capacity so that you can also be more4259efficient.4260    And we saw that at CSX with the roll out of Precision4261Scheduled Railroading. So it becomes a virtuous cycle or circle4262if you will. And by working with the Multimodal Freight Network4263and identifying key strategic infrastructure, we will be able4264to make certain that we are focusing our emphasis on improving4265our overall infrastructure where it matters most to both4266shippers and transportation providers alike.4267    The Chairman. Thank you. Ranking Member Cantwell.4268    Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.4269    Mr. Zerzan, under your predecessor, Mr. Bradbury's role in4270the first Trump administration allowed for an exemption to the4271ADB-S (sic) Out system for the Department of Defense. And it4272was then later learned that this was not as the request--was4273requested in the exemption a very--not very often used thing,4274but it turned out to be something they did all the time.4275    So how can you make sure that as you are looking at4276regulations, particularly when the administration says they4277want to get rid of ten rules, how can you make sure that these4278kinds of oversights where people really were not paying4279attention to the fact that DoD and FAA did not really have a4280clear plan to keep these planes separated. What can you do to4281make sure that that kind of rulemaking and exemption is not4282followed in the future?4283    Mr. Zerzan. Thank you, Senator. I take the obligation of4284the General Counsel to ensure the laws are being followed very4285seriously. I also acknowledge my own limitations on technical4286matters and fortunately the Department is full of people who4287exercise excellent judgment in most cases. So I would certainly4288attempt to rely upon the experts and ensure that in following4289the law we are doing whatever we can do to maximize safety for4290the American people.4291    Senator Cantwell. So how would you in this case, when DoD4292came to the FAA and said, we want an exemption, how would you4293as counsel make sure that you are following what is the process4294to understand what the exemption really is? As opposed to, I am4295sure a lot of people would like to give DOT an exemption,4296right, those important missions that they have?4297    Mr. Zerzan. Yes. And I think it is an excellent question,4298and candidly, not being familiar with the particulars of this4299case, it is hard for me to give a precise answer. But I do4300encounter instances even in my current job where the DoD or4301other departments come to us and ask for various accommodations4302or agreements. And in each case, it is the same process, which4303is to rely upon the technical experts and seek their judgment,4304and then make a good-faith determination of what I think is4305compliant with the law.4306    Senator Cantwell. Thank you for that. And get up to speed4307on it because I think it will come up. This is an ongoing4308issue, and you know, this incident that just happened in the4309Upper Midwest also just a reflection of we do not--there is4310something amiss here if this kind of near-miss things are4311continuing to happen. So we need DOT to be on the ball.4312    Mr. Rutherford do we need to increase the investments in4313INFRA, and freight, and port infrastructure?4314    Mr. Rutherford. I think if we--Senator, if we are talking4315about investments in infrastructure generally, absolutely, but4316I think it would be premature to speak about individual grant4317vehicles, because as I mentioned in my opening remarks, I4318really want to make certain that we adopt a holistic and4319systematic approach. We have got a number of grant vehicles not4320only within the office more broadly----4321    Senator Cantwell. I am more looking at you. You come with4322this private sector experience saying, I understand the4323movement of goods and services.4324    Mr. Rutherford. Correct.4325    Senator Cantwell. And what I am trying to get at is that we4326are at a threatened point of not being competitive enough if4327you cannot get product safely and timely to market. And so in4328my world because we represent a lot of ports, I see exactly4329what that bottleneck can be and so infrastructure investment is4330going to help us be competitive as a nation. So I want an4331increase in that investment. I am just trying to see if you4332agree.4333    Mr. Rutherford. I agree. But not only those within the4334Office of the Secretary, but also elsewhere, you know, whether4335they be in MARAD, or what have you.4336    Senator Cantwell. Yes.4337    Mr. Rutherford. Any other investments.4338    Senator Cantwell. Yes, well----4339    Mr. Rutherford. And that is why for me the--I guess my4340point of----4341    Senator Cantwell.--you are saying make it an ecosystem that4342works together very effectively?4343    Mr. Rutherford. Correct.4344    Senator Cantwell. Great. Well we are all----4345    Mr. Rutherford. And so my point of the----4346    Senator Cantwell.--we are all for MARAD spending too. So4347only because the market is outside the United States, 954348percent of consumers are outside the United States, so if you4349are not getting U.S. products to them timely, we are not going4350to be competitive.4351    Mr. Rutherford. Absolutely. And I guess where I was trying4352to arrive is, my point of departure is really the National4353Freight Strategic Plan. And then that should be not only4354managing what we do at the Office of the Secretary, but also4355influencing grant-making decisions elsewhere within DOT.4356    Senator Cantwell. Thank you. Thank you for that.4357    Ms. Oz, I would love to ask about what your daughter sings4358in opera, but we might not have time for that. So this----4359    Ms. Oz. To be discussed.4360    Senator Cantwell. Pardon me?4361    Ms. Oz. To be discussed later.4362    Senator Cantwell. To be discussed. So what do you think4363is--you know, you have now had this private sector experience4364where, you know, we are really basically beta testing and4365rolling out to larger regimes of adoptions, right, but trying4366to do so in a safe manner?4367    I have always thought that, you know, just starting here4368and then just saying, well, we did a few betas and now we are4369going to open it up to the whole country, and that is too much.4370Like, so what--how do you see us continuing to move forward in4371the adoption? And what do you do about the trucking sector and4372the huge workforce that is involved there, because it is a very4373key part of the U.S. economy, hundreds of thousands of people?4374    Ms. Oz. Senator Cantwell, well, it is an excellent4375question, a two-part question. The first part has to do with4376the fact that, as I mentioned in my testimony, we built this4377technology here in America, and so we have all of the4378foundational capability to scale it in the most safe way we can4379by using conservative planning and by using systems that are--4380fail operational.4381    So that includes redundancies in the system. It includes4382ensuring we have secondary approaches like telematics,4383teleoperations, remote vehicle management, but most importantly4384we need a framework in which we can give clear guidance to4385industry on scaling, and deploying the capabilities on public4386roads in America in a safe way.4387    And that is, I think, the challenge with this4388administration, with all of us, to incorporate many elements of4389the technical capabilities we currently have and just ensure4390that we coordinate them and work together on a national4391framework.4392    Trucking is a very interesting--is a very interesting4393windfall benefactor for this technology because trucking and4394commerce is one of the areas that makes the most economic4395distinction on--on benefits as we have remote vehicle4396management. So I think it is one of the first use cases that we4397can emerge with and I am hoping to provide good clarity and4398good guidance on how we can do that on the technical side and4399with research that we have already got.4400    Senator Cantwell. Well, yes, I am getting you a little out4401of your lane because you are not--we are not hiring you to4402figure out what to do with 200- or 300,000 Teamsters. But at4403the same time it is--when you sit there and you are looking at4404the framework which you describe which I think is a good plan,4405having a framework that then you can coordinate with industry4406and then get people to buy confidence in.4407    I thought the same about the drone system. You know you--we4408had people, you know, visioning lots of drone use in the4409Northwest for a long, long time. I think we started 2001 with4410pushing the FAA to keep moving forward. So here it is the same4411thing, but you also have a huge employment sector, unlike the4412drone industry did not have that you know existing workforce4413issue.4414    So we will look forward--my time has expired to discussing4415this more with you. Thank you.4416    Ms. Oz. I appreciate it. Thank you, Senator.4417    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Schatz.4418    Senator Schatz. I will defer to Senator Curtis if he is4419ready.4420    Senator Curtis. Always.4421    The Chairman. All right, Senator Curtis.44224423                STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN CURTIS,4424                     U.S. SENATOR FROM UTAH44254426    Senator Curtis. Let me flip to the right page in my book,4427and put glasses on. All right, maybe I was a little over-4428optimistic.4429    OK, Ms. Oz, Mr. Rutherford, and Mr. Zerzan, did I get that4430correct? Thank you all for being here today, and4431congratulations to each of you. I have greatly enjoyed the4432opportunity to work with Secretary Duffy this year and I4433appreciate the leadership he has brought to the Department. He4434has shown a great interest in Utah, he has personally been out4435there, and Utah has recognized that and is very appreciative.4436    Mr. Zerzan, Utah is experiencing rapid growth and preparing4437to host the 2034 Winter Olympic Games. With that comes mounting4438pressure around environmental review, time lines, and4439permitting processes. How can DOT's Legal Office help4440streamline these processes while maintaining integrity and4441fairness?4442    Mr. Zerzan. Thank you very much, Senator. It is an4443important question. The Supreme Court's recent Seven County's4444decision has certainly facilitated NEPA reviews that I hope are4445more consistent with what was intended by Congress. So that4446alone will help expedite the review process and hopefully4447mitigate some of the litigation risk that has delayed projects4448of all kinds.4449    At the Department of the Interior, we have worked on4450facilitating streamlined processes that are focused on what is4451required by statute as opposed to other extraneous matters4452which may indicate policy preferences, but which ultimately end4453up slowing the process of permitting important projects. At the4454Department, I would hope to help bring some of those same4455permitting reform ideas that are designed again to streamline4456the process while also ensuring environmental integrity.4457    Senator Curtis. Thank you. Mr. Rutherford, how do you plan4458to partner with State Department of Transportation to ensure4459freight planning reflects both national priorities and state-4460specific needs?4461    Mr. Rutherford. Thank you for the question, Senator.4462Obviously, there are a number of things within the actual4463functions of the Freight Office in terms of the review of the4464individual State DOT freight plans, the development of the4465National Freight Strategic Plan, but I think what is really4466important is that we both seek to drive and align.4467    The National Multimodal Freight Network is one area where4468we do that, where we make certain that all of the strategic4469inventory of our Nation's infrastructure is properly captured,4470because that is a point of departure not only at the Freight4471Office but also for many of the individual State DOTs.4472    And I think also the work, similar to what Secretary Duffy4473has talked about last week, this need to identify initiatives4474of proper Federal interest that are going to be strategically4475important. By identifying them more clearly, it will help us,4476for example, at the Freight Office, if confirmed, to respond to4477questions like those from the Government Accountability Office4478about exactly what do we mean by an exemplary project.4479    Senator Curtis. Thank you. That is great.4480    Mr. Rutherford. Thank you.4481    Senator Curtis. Thanks. Ms. Oz, Utah has established itself4482as a leader in transportation innovation, thanks to strong4483leadership from the Utah Department of Transportation, and4484willingness to invest in new technologies like electric4485aircraft. I am interested in your perspective on how the United4486States is competing with China when it comes to innovative4487transportation technologies?4488    Ms. Oz. Senator Curtis, thank you very much for that4489important question and--but I wanted to also say thank you for4490your staff for meeting with me during my recent visits to the4491staff offices. I enjoyed our conversations around energy. So4492the biggest problem we have, and specifically with China, I4493think is--is that what your question is?4494    Senator Curtis. Correct.4495    Ms. Oz. OK. China has mandated as of their 2025 program,4496which is in effect right now, the asset commitment, the capital4497commitment, the unilateral decisionmaking of investing in this4498energy sector and automatic driving sector, in a very big way.4499And as of recently they are selling more cars than we are, they4500own about 70 percent of the EV market, and they are building on4501the chip sets that they have developed in the country locally,4502and probably to expand to other countries in the region.4503    The U.S., in my estimate, built this technology as I4504discussed earlier with Senator Cantwell. We need to own it. We4505need to build regulatory involvement around it, and have the4506very best research that gives--that gives a direction for that4507capability. So that means that unilaterally we have to decide4508we want to make this part of our agenda which the President and4509Secretary Duffy have prioritized. So I guess I hope to support4510that effort going forward.4511    Senator Curtis. Thank you. I am almost out of time. I would4512just like to double down with all three of you that Utah is4513ready to be innovative, and to lead, and I know the Secretary4514is as well. And any chance that Utah can be part of any4515innovation, or things that you want to work with, and4516experiment with, we would love to have those conversations.4517    And with that, Mr. Chairman, I yield my time.4518    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Schatz.45194520                STATEMENT OF HON. BRIAN SCHATZ,4521                    U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII45224523    Senator Schatz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you all for4524your willingness to serve.4525    I have three questions and they are all for Mr. Zerzan.4526Thank you for being willing to step up, and thanks to your4527family for the sacrifice.4528    And I am going to caveat this with, I know you are not in4529the Government, and I know that is an easy way not to answer4530the question, and a perfectly fair way to not answer the4531question. So I am actually trying to get to how you would4532approach this problem, because you would be within your rights4533to say: Well, I do not know yet. But I want you to try to4534answer this.4535    The Department--and I have a good relationship with the4536Secretary--but the Department froze around 3,200 grant awards4537for review, and you know, I have spoken with him both publicly4538and privately of the problem of all of them being frozen, and4539then the bandwidth problem of unfreezing them individually. And4540he was pretty frank about the inability to process this in a4541timely fashion.4542    I think we are now, out of the 3,200, somewhere between 4-4543and 500 who have now--that have now been approved. But this is4544the law and we are now talking about billions of dollars of4545transportation infrastructure, nonpartisan stuff, bipartisan4546stuff, kind of, you know, meat and potato stuff.4547    I am wondering how, in the interest of fidelity to the law4548that we passed, both the Appropriations law and the IIJA, how4549do we effectuate a process that does not end up, you know,4550taking us 5 years to get money out that has been approved, you4551know, a couple of years ago now?4552    Mr. Zerzan. Well, thank you very much, Senator. Manpower4553is, you know, a great way to solve a lot of problems, so4554ensuring that you have eyeballs on the grants. I will tell you4555from my own experience, you know, President Trump had ordered a4556review of all spending in order to ensure that the taxpayer4557dollars are being used faithfully.4558    At the Department of the Interior, we go through each4559individual grant and review and see, because the Government is4560very good at putting in clauses for allowing it to do things4561like pause-it spending. And so to the extent there is a4562justifiable reason for doing so, then we have put a pause on4563it. If there is not, then the money goes out the door. So I4564completely sympathize with what you are saying, and I am4565familiar with the--with the challenge.4566    Senator Schatz. I just want to offer that just4567operationally we may have to invert the assumption, right? You4568may want to review for impropriety, or you know, noncompliance4569with the law, or some other reason to freeze, but I think that4570as long as the Department of Transportation professionals have4571worked with a State Department of Transportation to engage that4572our assumption should be that that is lawful, subject to4573review, not that all of it does not go until it is individually4574sort of reapproved.4575    Because if we do that, and again, I am not trying to, you4576know, reduce the prerogatives of the Department to align better4577with the new President's priorities, and the new Secretary's4578priorities, but you are just not going to get through this4579list, and you are going to get people on a bipartisan basis,4580you know, pretty angry.4581    The other challenge is, I do not want to create a situation4582where it is Tammany Hall and I have got to appeal directly to4583the Secretary to kind of release my funds, right? And then we4584are--then it is a mayor, and a swimming pool in your Council4585District and that is not the way that we do transportation4586infrastructure.4587    So this is not working right now, and I think the Secretary4588would agree, that we need a new process other--because more4589manpower, you know what is going to happen, it is going to take4590months to just fund, hire, train, and then we are into next4591year, and we will be one-third of our way through the list.4592This thing is going too slow.4593    There is an Office of Tribal Transportation and an Office4594of Tribal Government Affairs, and I want to know how you are4595going to work with them to train lawyers and program staff on4596their obligations under the law regarding tribal consultation4597and transportation issues?4598    The reason I mentioned this is that we did a bunch of4599things on a bipartisan basis to include tribes in ways that are4600novel, but they are now statutory. The problem is that, as you4601know from DOI, people kind of know what tribal consultation4602means. DOT, not as much, and you know, we had a problem with4603the Energy Department where they--this was all new to them, so4604they had like bonding requirements for like a--you know, a 300-4605person tribe as if that tribe were a municipal government that4606could go onto Wall Street and get a AAA rating.4607    And so I just want your commitment to kind of work through4608these issues given your experience at DOI, and to help your4609team understand that tribes cannot be treated like counties,4610they have to--you have to understand the unique legal4611obligations and trust obligations between the U.S. Government4612and Tribes.4613    Mr. Zerzan. Yes, absolutely, Senator, thank you. And I hope4614I can help create value in that respect.4615    Senator Schatz. OK. Thank you. And then final question,4616with your indulgence, Mr. Chairman; in the last FAA4617Reauthorization I passed a law to create a standalone Aviation4618Consumer Protection Office to further empower this function at4619DOT. It is not fully established because it was subject to4620appropriations and we have not appropriated money for this4621purpose, so I just--so that functions would reside under the4622GC's shop, and I just want your commitment to just fight for4623consumers in the aviation context, and for us to be able to4624work together on a couple of specific things. There were some4625rulemakings that I think were broadly popular and rational. And4626I am hoping we can work together on just protecting aviation4627consumers.4628    Mr. Zerzan. Thank you, Senator, absolutely.4629    Senator Schatz. Thank you.4630    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Lujan.46314632               STATEMENT OF HON. BEN RAY LUJAN,4633                  U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO46344635    Senator Lujan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.4636    Thank you all for being here today. Ms. Oz, is the safety4637of the American people on America's roads important to you?4638    Ms. Oz. Critical.4639    Senator Lujan. Would you say it is a top priority?4640    Ms. Oz. Yes.4641    Senator Lujan. Would you say it is a number one priority?4642    Ms. Oz. It is a critical priority, sir.4643    Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. You worked at Google X; is4644that correct?4645    Ms. Oz. That is correct, sir.4646    Senator Lujan. On their self-driving cars? It is my4647understanding that they logged over a 100,000 miles on public4648roads; is that about right?4649    Ms. Oz. More than that.4650    Senator Lujan. More than that? And there was no public4651disclosure of that; is that correct?4652    Ms. Oz. Well, at the time it was much less. We are talking4653about 2010 period. I presume, right?4654    Senator Lujan. Um-hum.4655    Ms. Oz. The testing was--and compliant with what the4656company had.4657    Senator Lujan. You were on the team at the time and later4658defended this question, saying, quote, ``Keeping the project4659quiet enabled Google to test under the radar of public opinion4660and lawmakers, we just did not want the program to slow down4661for any reason''. End quote.4662    Ms. Oz. Yes, that was----4663    Senator Lujan. If I could finish, Google took it upon4664themselves to make the decision for the public and for4665regulators, effectively, using public roads and by extension4666American lives as a testbed. Do you stand by this decision?4667    Ms. Oz. The decision at the time was accurate, Senator,4668because there was no--there was no--there was an absence of any4669kind of regulatory framework. The testing framework had been4670received. There was no bill at the time, and the company went4671ahead and made testing in accordance with the compliance they4672received.4673    Senator Lujan. Do you believe that innovation should be4674prioritized over public safety and oversight?4675    Ms. Oz. Absolutely, not.4676    Senator Lujan. Do you stand by that decision then at the4677time?4678    Ms. Oz. I was not in the company during that period, during4679that 2010 period when the--when the vehicles were being tested.4680I came in 2011. So the comment you are making, sir, was much4681later on.4682    Senator Lujan. Is this quote attributable to you though?4683Did you say this, ``Keeping the project quiet enabled Google to4684test under the radar of public opinion and lawmakers''?4685    Ms. Oz. They met--the context was keeping the--keeping the4686engineering teams focused, keeping media and other concerning,4687you know, groups that wanted to know specifics was primarily4688the reason why we wanted to make sure that we kept this--the4689engineering teams focused, and that there was no distraction.4690That is the--that was the metaphor that was used to describe4691that in the context.4692    Senator Lujan. Is that your quote, though, the one that I4693am reading?4694    Ms. Oz. Probably, yes.4695    Senator Lujan. ``Probably''?4696    Ms. Oz. I have to see it, but I would imagine I made a4697comment----4698    Senator Lujan. I will get that to you. I will also submit4699that into the record so----4700    Ms. Oz. Sure.4701    Senator Lujan.--that we can be certain there. What steps4702will you take to assure this Committee that you will prioritize4703safety of the American people over interests of the industry?4704    Ms. Oz. While we were at Google and developing the program,4705I was presiding over some of the work that was being done to4706ensure that we had a program that could not be syncable, sir,4707so that meant having extremely caution exercised at every node4708on the point of departure to recovery that--to return the4709vehicle to the home base. So that record stands for itself, and4710it is still probably the safest record in the industry.4711    Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. As you have heard from all4712of our colleagues, public safety matters very much to us. I4713appreciate you saying it is a top priority, a critical4714priority. That is something I think that we can all agree on.4715    Ms. Oz. Thank you, Senator.4716    Senator Lujan. So I appreciate your responses there.4717    Mr. Zerzan, you are currently the Acting Solicitor and4718Principal Solicitor at the Department of Interior; is that4719correct?4720    Mr. Zerzan. Yes, sir.4721    Senator Lujan. And you previously served as the General4722Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer of the Department of4723Interior; is that correct?4724    Mr. Zerzan. No, sir. That, I think that was maybe an energy4725company I was in that role at.4726    Senator Lujan. Appreciate that. So would you say you have4727experience leading a major legal office in advising on Federal4728law and regulatory issues?4729    Mr. Zerzan. Yes, sir.4730    Senator Lujan. Do you have substantive legal experience in4731transportation law?4732    Mr. Zerzan. Not with respect to the Department itself, but4733given the interconnectedness of transportation with everything4734we do in this country, it is unavoidable.4735    Senator Lujan. How about infrastructure policy or4736regulatory issues specific to the Department of Transportation?4737For example, aviation, rail, highway safety, motor carrier4738rules?4739    Mr. Zerzan. I am not a lawyer who has a substantial amount4740of background with that set of laws.4741    Senator Lujan. Now, the Department of Transportation4742General Counsel typically needs deep knowledge across4743transportation-specific sectors. And as you know, our country4744faces tremendous transportation and safety issues right now, as4745I was just questioning Ms. Oz, air traffic controllers,4746autonomous vehicles, rail safety, all the rest. This4747administration just continues to baffle me with its staffing4748decisions. There are experts out there that are deep in all of4749this policy. I appreciate your honesty and your candor in that4750response, sir.4751    I just do not understand, Mr. Chairman, why, with all the4752depth of experts in and around specific areas that sometimes4753this happens. I just, I do not--I just do not understand that.4754Nothing against you personally, I appreciate the work you do at4755the Department of Interior. I am sure you are fabulous with the4756energy companies that you have supported as well. We should4757nominate you to be at the Department of Energy, or we should4758put you back into this spot at the Department of Interior,4759because you are doing well there. But nonetheless, that is just4760my opinion.4761    Mr. Rutherford, one question I guess I have for you, sir,4762is January 6, so I am sorry to bring this up again, but you4763posted that--you said that January 6, that it was a4764``disruption''. You said that your father, a former4765Congressman, was one of the few to continue to vote against4766certifying the votes after the January 6th disruption. Would4767you call January 6th an ``insurrection''?4768    Mr. Rutherford. Mr. Senator, I will tell you, I am the son4769of a policeman, my father who is a Congressman, and I certainly4770do not condone violence against members of our law enforcement.4771So if you are speaking to that that is one thing. If you are4772speaking to the certification of the vote, I think every Member4773of Congress is required by law to certify the vote, and it is4774not until Congress has certified a vote that the President is4775elected.4776    Senator Lujan. My question is not those, sir.4777    Mr. Rutherford. OK.4778    Senator Lujan. My question is very specific. Was January47796th an insurrection?4780    Mr. Rutherford. I would leave that to someone else to4781describe.4782    Senator Lujan. So you stand by calling it a ``disruption''?4783    Mr. Rutherford. It certainly disrupted the process of the4784day.4785    Senator Lujan. I mean, look, to your point, I appreciate4786what you are saying there. People died that day. Officers were4787beaten. Some of them are no longer with us. Words matter, you4788all, and we are going to be leaders in these positions. There4789is just----4790    Mr. Rutherford. Sir----4791    Senator Lujan.--if I could finish, sir. Because my time is4792up as well and I appreciate the indulgence, Mr. Chairman, I4793just hope just down the road with some of these things, we just4794remember that. You know, it all matters. I appreciate the4795service of your father as well, and the work that was done in4796those spaces. You are you are all going to be confirmed. But4797just, words matter, as we just get through all this stuff, is4798all that I am asking.4799    Thank you for the indulgence, Mr. Chairman.4800    The Chairman. I would just, I thank my friend from New4801Mexico, and I would note that the Department of Transportation,4802Office of Multimodal Transportation is unlikely to have any4803direct responsibilities concerning January 6. And if we want to4804have a discussion about January 6, I am more than happy to do4805so. And I am happy to say under no way, shape, or form was4806January 6 an insurrection. I think that is a term that is4807loaded with partisan content and is--inaccurately describes4808what occurred that day. But given this hearing is on DOT4809nominees, this is probably not the right----4810    Senator Lujan. Mr. Chairman, I think we can both agree it4811was a bad day, though.4812    The Chairman. I think this is not the right forum for that4813discussion. Senator Moreno.48144815               STATEMENT OF HON. BERNIE MORENO,4816                     U.S. SENATOR FROM OHIO48174818    Senator Moreno. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. And4819congratulations to all of you on being nominated, I am sure it4820is--that you feel the way most people would feel in your4821position, which it is a great honor to be asked by the4822President of the United States to serve their country.4823    Ms. Oz, I will start with you. When you look at your job4824and making certain that we are advancing research and4825technology in the automobile industry do you--where do you see4826a vision of where we are from a transportation perspective in,4827let us say, 10 or 15 years? Is private ownership of cars still4828a factor, or are self-driving autonomous vehicles going to be4829the primary and only means of transportation?4830    Ms. Oz. Senator, first of all, it is good to see you. I4831enjoyed our time together in your offices, beautiful offices.4832And we touched on some of these subjects. And I appreciate your4833interest in the automotive industry and of your continued4834commitment. I do believe Americans deserve a choice. They4835deserve a choice on what type of modality they wish to use to4836get from point to--point A to point B.4837    In some cases, we may not--we may no longer want or need to4838drive in traffic anymore. And in some cases, we want to turn on4839the ignition and just, you know, go on a deep rural drive4840somewhere in the back road. So we should have that choice.4841There are some learnings that we can take probably from the4842first use cases for the self-driving cars other than freight,4843will most likely be in the realm of fleet management, because4844it is going to be easier to maintain fleets of vehicles; turn4845them onto home base, get them maintained properly. But that4846will also mean more cars being sold in total volume, because if4847you can drive 100,000 miles in 1 year on a fleet vehicle with484890 percent utility optimization, you can sell more cars.4849    Senator Moreno. Well, again, I am not--I am not concerned4850about the number of vehicles sold. I am concerned about,4851ultimately, are we looking to replace private ownership of4852cars? Like that is my main question, because here is the4853concern I have. During the Biden administration, they had a4854very unhealthy obsession with EVs, and that led to a disastrous4855amount of government money, spent hundreds of billions of4856dollars in subsidies. They drove car companies almost off the4857cliff to make EVs, California, of course, lost their mind,4858whatever was left of it, and wanted everybody driving an4859electric vehicle.4860    Thanks to the Congressional Review Act, we ended that.4861Thanks to our Chairman who did a lot of work with the one big4862beautiful bill, we have now made kind of an old-fashioned4863concept come true, which is car companies should make the cars4864that people want to buy.4865    So my question to you, and what I worry about, is that we4866do not want to go from an obsession with EVs to an obsession4867with AVs. And we obviously understand level 1 autonomy, the4868level 4 autonomy, totally understand as long as it is optional,4869as long as it is not mandated that somebody buy that--you know,4870one of the things I find interesting is my colleagues talk4871about how all these safety technologies should be mandated. I4872took the time to find out what kind of cars they personally4873drive, and you would be shocked to know that they did not4874purchase, themselves, those advanced driving technologies.4875    So they do not want to spend their own personal money to4876buy more safety systems in their own cars, but want to mandate4877that very same technology for all Americans. You know, rules4878for thee, but not for me.4879    My question to you when you are advising our great4880Secretary of Transportation/NASA Administrator, maybe we will4881nominate him to be the Chairman of the Federal Reserve too. He4882would definitely do a better job than Jerome Powell. But that4883is a different topic for different day.4884    The Chairman. I think they are giving that to Marco Rubio.4885    [Laughter.]4886    Senator Moreno. Well he, I think the quota is four jobs. So4887Sean still has a couple more left. But back to the point, when4888you are advising him, I just want to be clear-eyed about your4889advice to him. Is it going to be: Hey, we have to move to a4890level 5 autonomy and start down the path of eliminating private4891ownership of cars? Or is this: How do we invest more in level 14892through level 4 to drive those technologies to be less4893expensive so that more customers, on their own, like my4894colleagues who currently have not chosen to buy those4895technologies because maybe they thought they were too expensive4896to have them? That is a big difference in that conversation.4897    Ms. Oz. Senator, I appreciate the analysis, and costs and4898affordability is a critical measurement in terms of this4899freedom, and I think we support, and I will support all of the4900above in terms of level 1 through level 4. I do not think we4901will see level 5 in my lifetime, but I do think that we can see4902this capability deployed on all different types of engines,4903whether they are ICE, or electric. So in that case I think I4904would support your view on this. Thank you.4905    Senator Moreno. Yes. Because what I do not want to live is4906in a dystopian future in which big tech controls the4907transportation industry in America. You know, as you know, we4908talked about this in my office, America did not invent the4909automobile, but we invented what the automobile became. And the4910automobile is the ultimate expression of freedom. The idea that4911I am here in Washington D.C., I can go wherever the heck I want4912in a car that I own. Not controlled by big tech, not controlled4913by government. I can decide what kind of car I buy with my own4914money. It is a concept that my Democrat colleagues, over the4915last four years, lost sight of.4916    They said all of the above. They said we want to give4917consumers choice, but in reality, the heavy, heavy hand of4918government was taking away those choices. And I just want to be4919incredibly clear that from your perspective, this is not about4920mandating or driving America toward the point in time in which4921the only people that control transportation in this country is4922giant technology companies that would mine our data and have4923complete control over our lives because it can control where we4924went and how we went there. I just want to be clear that that4925is absolutely not something that you would support.4926    Ms. Oz. I will support the freedom of choice, and the4927freedom to drive in this country, because it is a part of our4928way of life.4929    Senator Moreno. OK. Thank you.4930    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.4931    The Chairman. Thank you. Senator Kim.49324933                  STATEMENT OF HON. ANDY KIM,4934                  U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY49354936    Senator Kim. Thank you, Chairman.4937    Mr. Rutherford, I would like to start with you. You know,4938the FAST Act of 2015 required the Department of Transportation4939established a National Multimodal Freight Network to assist4940states in strategically directing their resources, improving4941performance of our freight system. OSTF is currently in the4942process of developing this network and has published a draft4943map for public comment includes the rail line, highways, ports,4944rivers, and airports. I believe that this effort is crucial for4945effectively modernizing these systems and can serve as a larger4946purpose as well as to help guide our own support. So I just4947wanted to ask if you could commit that the National Multimodal4948Freight Network be finalized under your leadership, should you4949be confirmed?4950    Mr. Rutherford. Thank you for the question, Senator. And4951first and foremost, I agree with you about the significance of4952it, not only for DOT--within DOT, but also at the individual4953State DOTs. It is a key area of alignment across the Federal,4954state, and local levels, and finalizing that is certainly a4955priority, day one, if confirmed.4956    Senator Kim. OK, great. Is that something you would work4957with me on to make sure that we can keep that going?4958    Mr. Rutherford. Absolutely. Because the way I look at the4959National Multimodal Freight Network is it really gives us a4960sense of the current state of play and that needs to be the4961point of departure from which we then develop a broader4962National Freight Strategic Plan. Yes.4963    Senator Kim. Another part of that would be, you know, there4964is the Freight Logistics Optimization Works initiative, FLOW,4965it is crucial understanding and responding to the supply chain4966disruptions. This was something that was launched in 2022 in4967response to some of the supply chain disruptions that we are4968facing at that time establishes that public private partnership4969between the industry partners and the government so that we4970can, you know, have a better understanding of the purchase4971order data from importers, et cetera. So I just wanted to ask,4972if you are confirmed can you commit to continuing this program4973under your leadership and working with Congress to ensure its4974success?4975    Mr. Rutherford. Yes, Senator. And supply chain visibility,4976it is everything. You know, I like to describe transportation4977as being an outdoor sport, you have got to be able to change as4978the operating environment changes. And that forward-looking4979visibility that FLOW provides, I think, is incredibly helpful.4980And we have got a great point of--a great base from which to4981build, but there is a lot more that we can do with that. And I4982look forward to exploring those opportunities, if confirmed?4983    Senator Kim. Yes. Just, you know, it is something that, you4984know, when we look back on, I mean, we want to make sure we4985never have that kind of supply chain disruption for the effect4986that it caused on families, on higher prices, and all sorts of4987other issues. So I am glad to hear that, and hope to be able to4988work with you on that.4989    And Ms. Oz, I would like to just kind of follow up on some4990points a colleague of mine had asked you earlier about the4991autonomous vehicle efforts, especially when it comes to Google,4992asked, you know, in terms of the issues about Google disclosing4993that their self-driving cars had logged over, you know, 140,0004994miles, they disclosed that in 2010.4995    I guess I just wanted to ask you, kind of, point blank4996again, do you think that there was any reason for Google to4997disclose and to--you know to be able to be more transparent4998about the training as well as the testing that they were doing4999when it came to autonomous vehicles?5000    Ms. Oz. Senator, thank you for the question. As I mentioned5001to Senator Lujan, Google was at the time operating under a5002testing scenario which was fully compliant with their5003capabilities, and the decision to test on public roads was also5004fully compliant. That was during the time that I actually had5005not joined yet. So my comments were made after the fact.5006    And my comments were more related to the ability for them5007to test and to lead, and not being distracted, and focus on5008what they were doing, so as not to be, you know, distracted by5009outside comments and interests on what we were doing.5010    Senator Kim. I guess I would be kind of curious now that5011you are seeking a position that is going to have some oversight5012over this in terms of understanding. I mean, I can see how you5013can have that position when you are working for Google. But5014where is a line here? Where is a line in which a company needs5015to be transparent about testing and testing technology that is5016still not fully proven, you know, still has concerns over5017accidents, and doing it in the general public without the5018public understanding that this is being tested? Uncertain when5019these tests are going to occur, you know, doing it alongside5020others.5021    I guess I am just kind of--just trying to think through5022like, where does that go from here? Where do you--where do you5023draw that line?5024    Ms. Oz. Well, the world has changed quite substantially5025since then. So right now we do have statewide regulations on5026what is required by each state. It is fairly--it is fairly open5027and transparent, but there is no there is no Federal framework5028right now. And that is mainly the reason why I am here, sir, is5029to help inform NHTSA and other regulatory policy bodies on how5030we can, most safely, with the most integrity using the most5031unbiased and objective data, ensure that we do this in the in a5032public domain and we can scale in an accelerated fashion.5033    Senator Kim. Yes, I guess, you know, just as I am wrapping5034up here, I guess I just want to raise the point, I understand5035that and I do think that there needs to be conversation about a5036Federal level, across the states as well, you are talking about5037it. But I guess it just makes me uneasy about what position you5038would take, you know, when it comes to your position, if your5039position is going to basically stand by, you know, the kind of5040approach that Google and other companies should just be able to5041do whatever they do because any type of public criticism or5042transparency is going to get in the way. Is going to, you know,5043``distract'' them, I think, is the word that you used.5044    I do not think congressional oversight or our ability to5045look into what companies are doing, is about distracting these5046companies from what they are doing. I do think that there5047should be public transparency. So I would just raise, that I am5048worried about what position you will take when it comes to5049Federal rules, and Federal approaches to this all.5050    And with that, I yield back.5051    The Chairman. Thank you very much. And I want to thank each5052of the nominees for being here.5053    Mr. Oz, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Zerzan, my final question is5054required of all nominees. If confirmed, do you pledge to work5055collaboratively with this Committee to provide thorough and5056timely responses to the Committee's requests and to appear5057before the Committee when requested?5058    Ms. Oz. I do, Mr. Chairman.5059    Mr. Rutherford. I do.5060    Mr. Zerzan. Yes, sir.5061    The Chairman. Thank you. Senators will have until the close5062of business on Friday, July 25 to submit questions for the5063record. The nominees will have until the close of business on5064Monday, July 28 to respond to those questions.5065    That concludes today's hearing. The Committee stands5066adjourned.5067    [Whereupon, at 11:14 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]50685069                            A P P E N D I X50705071  Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to5072                                Seval Oz5073    Question 1. In your role as Assistant Secretary for Research and5074Technology, you will be tasked with overseeing the University5075Transportation Center program. UT Knoxville is home to one of these5076UTCs, focusing on improving freight transportation to ensure efficient5077and resilient supply chains. UTK is at the forefront of transportation5078innovation, please explain how you plan to partner with universities5079and other stakeholders outside of the Department of Transportation to5080ensure that the United States remains at the forefront of innovation in5081transportation, supply chain resiliency, and logistics?5082    Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with the UTCs on their5083important work in improving freight transportation, supply chain5084resiliency and logistics. I recognize that UTCs play a key role in5085transportation research.50865087    Question 2. I have focused on for years the right sizing the5088Federal government and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are going towards5089worthwhile, applicable research. I have been pleased that President5090Trump and Secretary Duffy share this concern for the smart allocation5091of taxpayer funds. How do you plan to ensure that Federal dollars are5092spent on worthwhile research, retaining the partnerships that keep us5093at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement?5094    Answer. The role in which I am nominated to serve focuses on5095research for the Department and does not have a decision in the5096spending of Federal dollars.50975098    Question 3. We often hear that the patent process is broken,5099especially when it comes to critical and emerging technologies. China5100is working to surpass the United States in this field, leading the5101world in 57 of 64 critical technologies. That's why I introduced the5102Leadership in Critical and Emerging Technologies Act, which would5103require the USPTO to establish a pilot program to expedite the5104examination of 15,000 patent applications for certain critical and5105emerging technologies. Can you describe your experience patenting5106autonomous technologies and what barriers exist for innovators in this5107arena?5108    Answer. While working at Continental, my team and I filed multiple5109patents, which was an expensive and labor-intensive process.5110    China has capitalized our slow patent system to quickly file5111similar patents in other venues, essentially copying or stealing our5112innovations. If confirmed, I will work with the Senate Commerce5113Committee to fix this problem.51145115    Question 4. In your new role, you will coordinate with modal5116agencies on autonomous vehicle research and adoption. It is critically5117important to our competition with China for technological dominance5118that the United States get this right. Please explain how you will5119apply your experience to your new role, ensuring that the United States5120is the world leader in the technology of the future.5121    Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with the modal agencies,5122such as NHTSA, to ensure the safety, efficiency, and reliability of5123advanced systems to improve the United States' competitive edge.51245125    Question 5. What specific advantages does China have over the5126United States in autonomous technology, and how will you work to5127mitigate those in your role as Assistant Secretary?5128    Answer. The Chinese government has promoted a national framework5129for the acceleration of automated vehicles (AVs) across their5130metropolitan cities that also fueled commercialization of the robo-taxi5131and passenger vehicle industry.5132    If confirmed, I plan to advise the Secretary and inform DOT's5133regulatory framework on the safest and most advanced research and5134technical knowledge to promote the safe deployment for advanced5135technologies.5136                                 ______51375138   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Bernie Moreno to5139                                Seval Oz5140I. Preserving Individual Car Ownership5141    Question 1. Ms. Oz, private car ownership is a foundational5142American value. In your view, can the future of autonomous vehicles5143coexist with widespread private vehicle ownership, and do you support5144or anticipate recommending any policies that would directly or5145indirectly limit the right to own a personal vehicle?5146    Answer. Yes, these vehicles will co-exist as different communities5147will have different needs and demands. No, I absolutely will not5148recommend, nor do I support any policies to limit vehicle ownership.51495150    Question 2. Do you foresee a future in which AV fleets displace or5151restrict access to personally owned vehicles? If so, what would the5152impact be--particularly on rural and underserved communities that rely5153on car ownership?5154    Answer. No, I do not foresee AV fleets displacing or restricting5155access to personally owned vehicles. If AV fleets exist in the future,5156it would be in response to a demand most likely in specific5157geographical locations.51585159    Question 3. Would you support a temporary suspension of AV5160technologies that do not have a human driver in the vehicle for five5161years?5162    Answer. If confirmed, I would lead the Department's research5163efforts in advanced technology to ensure the safety and reliability of5164these systems. NHTSA, not OST-R, is responsible for such decisions. I5165will follow all the laws of Congress and the policies of the Department5166of Transportation as set by the President and the Secretary.5167II. Cost Impacts and Federal Mandates5168    Question 1. In your testimony, you spoke about the life-saving5169potential of AVs. What measures are being taken to ensure that AV5170adoption does not increase the cost of vehicles for working Americans5171who may neither want nor need these technologies?5172    Answer. If confirmed, I would lead the Department's research5173efforts in advanced technology to ensure the safety and reliability of5174these systems. The Office of Research and Technology does not make5175these decisions about which technologies to include in cars. However, I5176support vehicle choice and strongly support private ownership of5177vehicles.51785179    Question 2. Do you believe DOT should be prohibited from mandating5180that all new vehicles include AV technologies, especially if such5181mandates would price millions of Americans out of the new car market?5182    Answer. If confirmed, I would lead the Department's research5183efforts in advanced technology to ensure the safety and reliability of5184these systems. The Office of Research and Technology does not make5185these decisions. However, I support vehicle choice, strongly support5186private ownership of vehicles, and support affordability. The Congress,5187the President, and the Secretary make these choices.5188III. Data Privacy and Big Tech5189    Question 1. How can we prevent AV manufacturers, many of which are5190large technology companies, from collecting, storing, or selling5191personally identifiable location and behavioral data from vehicles?5192    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure strong, updated data5193encryption privacy and cybersecurity is part of our AV framework.51945195    Question 2. What safeguards should be put in place to prevent5196government agencies or corporations from using AV data for5197surveillance, profiling, or commercial exploitation?5198    Answer. Strong AV data encryption can prevent unauthorized actors5199from monitoring the movement of our vehicles and people. If confirmed,5200I will work with the Senate Commerce committee to analyze proposals to5201update and reinforce encryption safeguards.5202IV. Market Competition and Centralized Control5203    Question 1. What would you say to concerns that the current AV5204policy landscape favors large, centralized fleets controlled by5205corporations or governments--at the expense of competition and private5206ownership?5207    Answer. If confirmed, I would work to inform AV policy that5208supports innovation while supporting and preserving private ownership.52095210    Question 2. What policies are necessary to ensure a competitive5211marketplace that prevents monopolistic control of the AV ecosystem by a5212few dominant players in the tech or transportation sectors?5213    Answer. If confirmed, I would lead the Department's research5214efforts in advanced technology to ensure the safety and reliability of5215these systems. The Office of Research and Technology does not make5216these decisions. However, I strongly support vehicle choice and private5217ownership of vehicles.5218                                 ______52195220   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to5221                                Seval Oz5222    Safe NAS Integration. OST-R's Highly Automated Systems Safety5223Center of Excellence (HASS COE) issued a 2024 report on Electronic5224Conspicuity which indicated that equipping airspace users with5225technologies like ADS-B supports the safe integration of Unmanned5226Aerial Systems (UAS) into the National Airspace System (NAS) and also5227creates a safe and secure environment for future evolutions.52285229    Question 1. Ms. Oz, if confirmed, how will you use your research5230role at the Department to help inform the safe integration of UAS into5231the NAS?5232    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with OST-R's Highly Automated5233Systems Safety Center of Excellence to research and advance5234technologies like Electronic Conspicuity, and work cross modally with5235the FAA and OST-X to foster the deployment of new technologies that are5236safe and secure within the NAS.52375238    Question 2. Do you support ensuring that more operators in the NAS5239are equipped with ADS-B Out and other senses and avoid safety5240technologies to better achieve this goal and help the commercial drone5241industry move forward?5242    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the Senate Commerce5243Committee to develop and deploy those safety technologies which are5244appropriate to help the commercial drone industry move forward.52455246    Volpe Center. The Volpe Center, which would fall under your5247authority if confirmed, is DOT's world-class transportation research5248center in Cambridge, MA. Its focus is on developing innovative5249solutions to transportation challenges. Most of Volpe's 600 Federal5250staff are technical professionals with advanced degrees. Volpe receives5251no direct appropriation from Congress. All of its work is funded by5252fees from project sponsors. About 85 percent of that work is sponsored5253by DOT modal offices, including FAA, FRA, and FHWA.52545255    Question 1. Do you support this business model and, if confirmed,5256would you commit to working with DOT operating administrations to5257continue to direct research to the Volpe Center?5258    Answer. I am not yet at the agency and therefore do not know the5259specific details for Volpe's business model.52605261    Bureau of Transportation Statistics. If confirmed, the Bureau of5262Transportation Statistics (BTS) would fall under your authority. BTS is5263one of 13 Federal statistical agencies. BTS collects, compiles, and5264analyzes data on all modes of transportation, and that data provides5265critical context to transportation decision makers, including Congress.5266BTS data is expected to be objective, independent of political5267influence, and unbiased.52685269    Question 1. If confirmed, do you commit to supporting BTS in its5270mission of providing transportation data that is independent and free5271from political bias?5272    Answer. If confirmed, I will support the entities under my5273authority, including BTS in its mission of providing transportation5274data that is independent and free from political bias.52755276    Question 2. If confirmed, would you support increasing resources5277for the Bureau?5278    Answer. I am not yet at the agency and therefore cannot comment on5279the BTS' needs.52805281    University Transportation Centers. The Trump Administration $545282million in funding to University Transportation Centers because they5283were too radical. This includes centers performing cutting edge5284research into how AI can improve the efficiency of transportation5285systems.52865287    Question 1. If confirmed, will you commit to awarding these funds5288through a new Notice of Funding Opportunity?5289    Answer. If confirmed, I will support the agencies in the Department5290in their funding efforts, in consultation with the Office of Management5291and Budget.52925293    Question 2. If confirmed, would you commit to fairly and unbiasedly5294reviewing the applications of the Universities that lost funding?5295    Answer. If confirmed, I will commit to following the policies in5296fairly and unbiasedly reviewing funding applications.5297                                 ______52985299    Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to5300                                Seval Oz5301    Question 1. Research Investments. The Department of5302Transportation's Office of Science & Technology Research works with5303public, private, and academic sector partners on research5304collaboration, coordinates research investment, and oversees the5305development of Annual Modal Research Plans.5306    Do you commit to being an advocate for science and maintaining5307academic partnerships at the Department?5308    Answer. If confirmed, I will be an advocate for application of the5309scientific method in analysis and replicable academic research.5310                                 ______53115312   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to5313                                Seval Oz5314    Question 1. The role of the Department of Transportation is to5315ensure all vehicles, including those equipped with partially or fully5316automated driving systems, are safe for all road users. Studies show5317that by 2030, nearly 70 percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S. will5318have ``some level of driving automation, specifically SAE levels 2 and5319above'' \1\. One of the most prevalent issues leading to AV crashes is5320over-trust in the automated system, leading to lack of oversight by the5321human in the loop. Trust in these systems is built on the assumption5322that the government is performing its oversight duties to ensure cars5323and roads are safe for everyone.5324---------------------------------------------------------------------------5325    \1\ https://www.autobodynews.com/news/majority-of-new-vehicles-5326will-have-level-2-autonomy-by-53272030#::text=The%20analysis%20by%20ABI%20Research%20predicts%20almost,1%53282C%2053292024.%20*%20Read%20Time:%201%20Min.53305331    a. What do you plan to do to ensure drivers' trust in AV technology5332is not misguided?5333    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with NHTSA on testing, and5334comprehensive educational and training programs to ensure drivers'5335trust in AV technology is not misguided.53365337    b. How do you plan to enforce safety mechanisms in all levels of5338autonomous vehicles so we can all benefit from the promise of these5339technologies?5340    Answer. If confirmed, I will coordinate with NHTSA, key5341stakeholders, and the Secretary on the benefits of these safety5342mechanisms.53435344    Question 2. What do you believe are the biggest safety concerns or5345challenges that are unique to autonomous vehicles? Please outline your5346answers for varying levels of automation as necessary.5347    Answer. In general, errors in vehicle control, cybersecurity,5348spoofing GPS/sensors, ransomware, and hacking are some of the primary5349safety concerns unique to AVs. If confirmed, I will work with NHTSA to5350coordinate appropriate safety mechanisms in all levels of autonomous5351vehicles.53525353        Levels 0-2 driver assistance/partial automation: Human Factors5354        (Distractions)53555356        Level 3 conditional automation: Response Time (Disengagements)53575358        Level 4 self-driving: Environmental Conditions (E.g. Sensor and5359        perception limitations include snow, fog, glare or heavy rain5360        when the system cannot see or maneuver around road furniture or5361        other vehicles53625363    Question 3. During your testimony, I asked you about a quote5364attributed to you, in which you stated ``Keeping the project quiet5365enabled Google to test under the radar of public opinion and lawmakers.5366We just didn't want the program to slow down for any reason.'' \2\ This5367was regarding Google's decision not to inform the public or lawmakers5368about testing its self-driving cars on public roads. You told me the5369goal was ``keeping the engineering teams focused'' and ensuring ``there5370was no distraction''. I understand you were not at the company at the5371time, but you did defend their decisions. Do you support Google's5372decision to keep the public and lawmakers in the dark while using5373public roads to test new technology?5374---------------------------------------------------------------------------5375    \2\ https://www.pcmag.com/opinions/teslas-tussle-with-feds-over-5376model-x-accident-is-a-fools-errand5377---------------------------------------------------------------------------5378    Answer. I support transparency, especially if the matter involves5379safety.53805381    Question 4. In your testimony, you stated that self-driving cars5382have ``proven to be safer by all metrics shown in the public records.''53835384    a. What data are you referencing in this answer? Please provide5385links to relevant reports or studies.5386    Answer. Independently peer-reviewed publications:53875388        Comparison of Waymo Rider-Only Crash Data to Human Benchmarks5389        at 7.1 Million Miles53905391        Comparative Safety Performance of Autonomous-and Human Drivers:5392        A Real-World Case Study of the Waymo One Service53935394    b. Do you believe we collect sufficient safety data on autonomous5395vehicles? Please outline your answers for varying levels of automation5396as necessary.5397    Answer. Since I am not yet at the agency, I do not have access to5398data that has already been collected.53995400    c. How do you plan to increase transparency and public access to5401safety data for autonomous vehicles, particularly when much of that5402information is currently treated as proprietary?5403    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the relevant entities in the5404Department to protect proprietary data.54055406    Question 5. The purpose of the Department of Transportation is to5407ensure that every form of transportation is safe for Americans. Yes or5408No: Would you take an action that is in conflict with those goals due5409to political pressure?5410    Answer. If confirmed, my primary goal would be to make advanced5411technologies as safe as possible.54125413    Question 6. Yes or No: Would you go against a direct order from the5414President or his cabinet if you believed it put lives at risk or was5415illegal?5416    Answer. The President of the United States and his cabinet would5417never put lives at risk or give illegal orders.54185419    Question 7. Yes or No: Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 20205420presidential election?5421    Answer. Former President Joseph Biden was certified as the winner5422of the 2020 presidential election and sworn in as the forty-sixth5423President on January 20, 2021.54245425    Question 8. Yes or No: Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 20245426presidential election?5427    Answer. President Trump was certified as the winner of the 20245428presidential election and sworn in as the forty-seventh President on5429January 20, 2025.5430                                 ______54315432  Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to5433                                Seval Oz5434    Question 1. The Global Positioning System (GPS) provides critical5435services to the U.S. economy. These include precise navigation5436services--including during natural disasters, support for precision5437farming to optimize crop yields and resource management, and efficiency5438in fleet management and public transportation. Today, our GPS system5439relies on a constellation of satellites that communicate with ground-5440based radars to transmit key information to users. In 2018, Congress5441directed the Department of Transportation to demonstrate the5442performance of a backup and complementary Positioning, Navigation, and5443Timing (PNT) system.54445445    Ms. Oz, if confirmed, how will you lead DOT to work with5446interagency partners such as DOD and DHS to demonstrate and advance a5447backup GPS capability?5448    Answer. Since I'm not yet at the agency, I'm not aware of current5449backup GPS capabilities available. If confirmed, I will work with5450appropriate interagency partners to analyze this effort.5451                                 ______54525453  Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to5454                           Michael Rutherford5455    Question 1. If confirmed, you will be tasked with updating the5456National Freight Strategic Plan, which outlines the DOT's policy goals5457to improve the movement of freight. Memphis, Tennessee, is known as the5458Logistics Hub of America and Tennessee is a vital artery of commerce5459and supply chain resiliency for our Nation. Please discuss specifically5460how you plan to prioritize and support America's intermodal hubs, like5461Memphis, when you're building out the National Freight Strategic Plan.5462    Answer. If confirmed, I would work closely with the Senate Commerce5463Committee, TDOT and the broader freight community to make certain that5464DOT properly assesses the needs and opportunities in Memphis and5465Tennessee more generally through the National Freight Strategic Plan5466assessment.54675468    Question 2. It is vitally important for you to visit Memphis and5469see the important logistics and transportation work that is occurring5470there. Will you commit to visiting Memphis in your role and engaging5471with our many stakeholders as you focus on DOT's strategic plan?5472    Answer. If confirmed, I gladly look forward to visiting Memphis5473again.5474                                 ______54755476   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to5477                           Michael Rutherford5478    Freight investments in the surface transportation reauthorization.5479Four out of 10 jobs in my state are in freight dependent industries.5480Freight cannot wait in the Pacific Northwest. Delays cost money for5481consumers, farmers and manufacturers. That is why I championed historic5482investments in our Nation's freight infrastructure in the bipartisan5483infrastructure law including:54845485  1.  a 78 percent increase for the INFRA freight grant program,54865487  2.  a historic $2.25 billion in port infrastructure investments, and54885489  3.  for the first time in a surface transportation reauthorization--5490        freight rail investments through my grade crossing elimination5491        grant program and CRISI.54925493    Question 1. Yes or No: Do you think the next infrastructure law5494needs to continue funding for the INFRA grant program?5495    Answer. If confirmed, I would use every resource available to DOT5496to ensure we can advance the mission of the Freight Office, which will5497include any funding and programs Congress authorizes in the next5498Surface Transportation Reauthorization.54995500    Question 2. Yes or No: Do you think the next infrastructure law5501needs to continue funding for the Port Infrastructure Development5502Program?5503    Answer. If confirmed, I would use every resource available to DOT5504to ensure we can advance the mission of the Freight Office, which will5505include any funding and programs Congress authorizes in the next5506Surface Transportation Reauthorization.55075508    Question 3. Yes or No: Do you think the next infrastructure law5509needs to continue funding for the CRISI Program?5510    Answer. If confirmed, I would use every resource available to DOT5511to ensure we can advance the mission of the Freight Office, which will5512include any funding and programs Congress authorizes in the next5513Surface Transportation Reauthorization.55145515    Question 4. Yes or No: Do you think the next infrastructure law5516needs to continue funding for the Railroad Crossing Elimination grant5517program?5518    Answer. If confirmed, I would use every resource available to DOT5519to ensure we can advance the mission of the Freight Office, which will5520include any funding and programs Congress authorizes in the next5521Surface Transportation Reauthorization.55225523    Question 5. How can DOT improve multimodal freight planning and5524coordination between the public and private sectors?5525    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with state DOTs and engage the5526freight community-at-large, as appropriate, to ensure the success of5527the National Freight Strategic Plan.5528                                 ______55295530   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to5531                           Michael Rutherford5532    Question 1. Freight Bottlenecks. Efficient flow of freight across5533our transit systems is crucial to the competitiveness of our economy.5534When shippers are delayed by major congestion and outdated5535infrastructure, products don't arrive on time, businesses suffer, and5536costs for consumers go up.55375538    If confirmed, how will you work to address freight bottlenecks?5539    Answer. The National Multimodal Freight Network draft process and5540the National Freight Strategic Plan, informed in part by the review of5541individual state DOT freight plans, will help to ensure that we drive5542and align on priorities across the federal, state and local levels.55435544    2. Container Supply Chain. During the pandemic, ocean carriers were5545unloading containers at American ports but refusing American exports5546and returning to Asia with empty containers. U.S. exporters saw the5547price of shipping containers increase four-fold, especially on Asia-5548Pacific routes. My Ocean Shipping Reform Act with Senator Thune worked5549to address these supply chain challenges by making it harder for ocean5550carriers to arbitrarily turn away goods at ports that are ready to be5551shipped abroad.55525553    If confirmed, how will you work to reduce supply chain disruption5554and enhance resiliency?5555    Answer. If confirmed, I will use the Freight Logistics Optimization5556Works (FLOW) program to offer forward-looking supply chain visibility,5557enabling shippers to make timely decisions about how best to route5558their freight to destination in response to changes in the operating5559environment at our Nation's ports5560                                 ______55615562   Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Tammy Duckworth to5563                           Michael Rutherford5564    Question. GAO released a report this week on air cargo. The report5565found DOT's Multimodal Freight Office--which is supposed to help reduce5566freight congestion--hasn't taken action to address challenges facing5567air cargo.5568    In fact, it appears the office hasn't even been communicating with5569air cargo stakeholders or the FAA about infrastructure needs. According5570to GAO, ``Of the 30 stakeholders that responded to our question about5571coordination with DOT, none said they had communicated with the5572Multimodal Freight Office about air cargo issues. . .''5573    If the office had been paying attention, it would have found, as5574GAO did, that there are a host of infrastructure problems causing5575congestion around airports. Poorly configured roadways and a lack of5576truck staging and parking areas are leading to trucks blocking traffic.5577    Air cargo is huge for our Nation's economy. In 2022, it generated5578more than $106 billion in economic output and supported more than 15579million jobs.5580    Yet, DOT's Multimodal Freight Office appears to be doing nothing to5581address the critical surface transportation challenges to air cargo5582operations.5583    DOT seems more focused on staff cuts than growing our economy and5584creating jobs.55855586    A. If confirmed, will you oppose staff cuts to the Multimodal5587Freight Office?5588    Answer. I am not yet at the Department, and therefore, cannot5589testify to the staffing needs of any part of DOT.5590                                 ______55915592   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to5593                           Michael Rutherford5594    The purpose of the Department of Transportation is to ensure that5595every form of transportation is safe for Americans.55965597    Question 1. Yes or No: Would you take an action that is in conflict5598with those goals due to political pressure?5599    Answer. If confirmed, my primary goal would be to make freight5600transportation as safe and efficient as possible.56015602    Question 2. Yes or No: Would you go against a direct order from the5603President or his cabinet if you believed it put lives at risk or was5604illegal?5605    Answer. The President of the United States and his cabinet would5606never put lives at risk or give illegal orders.56075608    Question 3. Yes or No: Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 20205609presidential election?5610    Answer. Former President Joseph Biden was certified as the winner5611of the 2020 presidential election and sworn in as the forty-sixth5612President on January 20, 2021.56135614    Question 4. Yes or No: Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 20245615presidential election?5616    Answer. President Trump was certified as the winner of the 20245617presidential election and sworn in as the forty-seventh President on5618January 20, 2025.5619                                 ______56205621 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to5622                           Michael Rutherford5623    Small businesses and retailers across the country rely on5624predictable supply chains for imported goods and services. Imports and5625key consumer products rely on railways, highways, and runways to5626deliver consumer products to store shelves or American's front doors.5627Since January, the President has announced a series of investigations5628across product sectors (e.g., aircraft parts, pharmaceuticals) while5629threatening to delay, pause, or issue new tariffs on imported goods5630from our trading partners.56315632    Question 1. Mr. Rutherford, what impact do you believe our tariff5633policies have had on the multi-modal freight network?5634    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to reduce congestion and increase5635performance of the multimodal freight network to ensure it continues to5636support importers, exporters, and domestic shippers. The Office of5637Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy does not address tariffs.56385639    Question 2. Mr. Rutherford, will you commit to working closely with5640small businesses to navigate any disruptions or bottlenecks in our5641multi-modal freight network?5642    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with any stakeholders to improve5643disruptions and bottlenecks in our freight systems.5644                                 ______56455646   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Fetterman to5647                           Michael Rutherford5648    Question 1. Pennsylvania has a vast system of inland waterways. In5649southwestern Pennsylvania alone, there are 200 miles of commercially5650navigable waterways, and Pittsburgh is home to one of the busiest5651inland ports in the Nation. Even so, our inland waterways are5652underutilized. Mr. Rutherford, what is your plan to incentivize5653shippers and carriers to increase their use of containers and5654palletized freight on our Nation's inland waterways? Do you see5655increased reliance of inland waterways as a means to decrease traffic5656on our roads and highways and address other potential bottlenecks in5657our supply chains?5658    Answer. While shifting containerized freight by inland waterways is5659currently less common, it could provide benefits in specific5660circumstances. If confirmed, I look forward to exploring opportunities5661like these to better capitalize on our inland waterways.56625663    Question 2. Pennsylvania's three ports (Erie, Philadelphia, and5664Pittsburgh) move millions of tons in goods each year. These ports are5665critical to our supply chains and our national security. If confirmed,5666how will you prioritize opportunities for growth and infrastructure5667improvement at ports in Pennsylvania and across the nation?5668    Answer. If confirmed, I will work to ensure that DOT prioritizes5669strategic investments in the broader context of changes in multimodal5670freight market trends to strengthen the economy in Pennsylvania and5671across the Nation.56725673    Question 3. The Port of Erie is a critical shipping hub along the5674Great Lakes. It's also a driver of jobs and economic opportunity in5675northwestern Pennsylvania. In your view, how should shipping and the5676movement of freight on the Great Lakes factor into our national freight5677strategy?5678    Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the Great Lakes and St.5679Lawrences Seaway Administration to promote the use of Great Lakes ports5680as key contributors to our industrial revitalization.5681                                 ______56825683   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to5684                             Gregory Zerzan5685    DOT's proposed new enforcement procedure. On May 16, 2025, the5686Transportation Department issued a proposed rule, ``Administrative5687Rulemaking, Guidance, and Enforcement Procedures,'' which I believe5688significantly chills enforcement actions. This proposed rule creates a5689new process that would allow a company being investigated by the5690Department to accuse DOT inspectors of misconduct and then petition5691you, if confirmed as General Counsel, to intervene on the company's5692behalf. Alarmingly, the rule would authorize you to pursue disciplinary5693action against DOT investigators and other employees, such as5694suspensions, demotions, or even terminations. I have serious concerns5695that this new process may be used to retaliate against DOT inspectors5696and discourage robust enforcement of our safety laws.5697    I understand my staff raised this proposed rule during your staff5698interview on July 21, 2025, so you are familiar with it.56995700    Question 1. Yes or No: Do you think this new process creates a5701chilling effect on enforcement?5702    Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not familiar with5703the policy discussions that led to this proposal. In addition, because5704the rulemaking remains in the proposal stage it may appear5705predecisional for a nominee with potential policy or enforcement5706authority to comment on matters which may come under the purview of the5707office to which the person is nominated. However, if I am confirmed I5708commit to doing whatever is within my power to ensure the law is5709followed without fear or favor, partiality or prejudice.57105711    Question 2. Do you think exposing DOT safety officials to new5712personal liability like this will encourage them to pursue robust5713enforcement actions?5714    Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not familiar with5715the policy discussions that led to this proposal. In addition, because5716the rulemaking remains in the proposal stage it may appear5717predecisional for a nominee with potential policy or enforcement5718authority to comment on matters which may come under the purview of the5719office to which the person is nominated. However, if I am confirmed I5720commit to doing whatever is within my power to ensure the law is5721followed without fear or favor, partiality or prejudice.57225723    Question 3. Yes or No: If confirmed, will you publicly disclose any5724petition a company files pursuant to this new process asking you to5725intervene in an enforcement matter?5726    Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not familiar with5727the policy discussions that led to this proposal. In addition, because5728the rulemaking remains in the proposal stage it may appear5729predecisional for a nominee with potential policy or enforcement5730authority to comment on matters which may come under the purview of the5731office to which the person is nominated. However, if I am confirmed I5732commit to doing whatever is within my power to ensure the law is5733followed without fear or favor, partiality or prejudice.57345735    Question 4. Yes or No: If confirmed and this rule is finalized,5736will you publicly release detailed guidance on how you will enforce5737this new process?5738    Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not familiar with5739the policy discussions that led to this proposal. In addition, because5740the rulemaking remains in the proposal stage it may appear5741predecisional for a nominee with potential policy or enforcement5742authority to comment on matters which may come under the purview of the5743office to which the person is nominated. However, if I am confirmed I5744commit to doing whatever is within my power to ensure the law is5745followed without fear or favor, partiality or prejudice.57465747    10 for 1 deregulatory requirement. In President Trump's first term,5748the requirement to repeal two Federal requirements for every new5749requirement delayed or obstructed DOT from completing important safety5750requirements. For instance, a requirement for aviation manufacturers to5751have mandatory Safety Management Systems to prevent safety risks5752languished on the previous General Counsel's desk despite its clear5753relevance to the Boeing 737 Max crashes.5754    Now, this Administration is looking to repeal 10 safety5755requirements for every new one. There are a number of important5756bipartisan transportation safety requirements in the recent FAA5757reauthorization and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that would5758prevent crashes, save lives, and protect consumers.5759    This includes common sense requirements like overhauling safety5760standards to prevent helicopter air tour crashes like the April Hudson5761River tragedy, automatic emergency brakes for large trucks, and5762preventing families from being charged extra fees to sit together on5763flights.57645765    Question 1. Should the 10 for 1 requirement apply to bipartisan5766life-saving safety requirements?5767    Answer. I am not at the Department but it is my understanding that5768Secretary Duffy and the President are committed to ensuring the safety5769of the American people.57705771    Question 2. Will you commit to exempting congressionally mandated5772safety requirements from the 10-for-1 mandate?5773    Answer. I commit to seeking to ensure that all rulemakings are5774consistent with the law as passed by Congress.57755776    Question 3. Please name 10 transportation safety requirements that5777you think should be repealed?5778    Answer. Because I am not at the Department I am not aware of what5779role, if any, the General Counsel will have in determining the5780appropriateness of individual safety standards, which may be a task5781best reserved for the relevant subject matter experts; however, it is5782my understanding that safety requirements are a priority for Secretary5783Duffy and the President.57845785    DOT workforce cuts and infrastructure investments. Politico5786recently reported that over 20 percent of the Federal Highway5787Administration and over 30 percent of the Federal Transit5788Administration have taken deferred resignation offers. These are the5789workers who approve NEPA documents, prepare grant agreements, and5790oversee grants to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.57915792    Question 1. Mr. Zerzan, as General Counsel, you will be responsible5793for approving grant agreements. I have heard from constituents who were5794concerned that the process to receive Federal funds was too slow5795before, how do you plan to ensure the efficient distribution of funding5796with this reduced workforce?5797    Answer. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I will endeavor to5798ensure that funding is efficiently distributed consistent with the law5799and the direction of the Secretary.58005801    Question 2. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided $350 billion5802for transportation projects--how will you work to prevent waste, fraud,5803and abuse of taxpayer dollars with a drastically reduced workforce to5804oversee these funds?5805    Answer. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I will endeavor to5806ensure that funding is efficiently distributed consistent with the law5807and the direction of the Secretary.58085809    FAA Reauthorization Aviation Consumer Protections. After hearing5810directly from my constituents who had their travel plans ruined during5811the Southwest Airlines' meltdown, I knew we needed to make sure the5812flying public was not left holding the bag wondering if they would ever5813be made whole after getting their flight cancelled or delayed.5814    Thanks to the FAA law, we ensured passengers are entitled to5815hassle-free refunds when their flights are cancelled or significantly5816delayed by an airline--no matter the cause. And we empower the DOT to5817be a strong cop on the beat by establishing a new Office of Aviation5818Consumer Protection and tripling fines for consumer protection5819violations.5820    But I'm concerned that DOT will revert back to a 2020 Trump5821Administration rule that weakened airline oversight. We cannot afford a5822light-touch approach to consumer protections when Americans have5823experienced so many widespread travel disruptions in the past three5824years.58255826    Question 1. DOT must show they are committed to upholding and5827enforcing protections for everyday travelers. Yes or No: If confirmed,5828will you make protecting passenger rights a priority under your5829leadership?5830    Answer. I will make protecting passenger rights a priority5831consistent with law and in accordance with the policy directions of the5832Secretary.58335834    Question 2. Our 2024 FAA law requires a stronger DOT approach to5835consumer protection. Yes or No: Do you commit to ensuring the Office of5836Aviation Consumer Protection gets fully stood up to protect passenger5837rights as required by the law?5838    Answer. I commit to following the law as passed by Congress.58395840    Question 3. If confirmed, how would you leverage DOT's enforcement5841authorities to act on behalf of consumers who have had their rights5842violated by airlines?5843    Answer. I will seek to ensure that all authorities are used to5844protect the rights of consumers, consistent with the law and the policy5845direction of Secretary Duffy. It is my understanding that Secretary5846Duffy and the President are committed to ensuring the rights of5847consumers are protected.58485849    Grant Review. The Trump Administration is in the process of5850reviewing 3,200 projects went through a rigorous selection process and5851were in the final stages of execution during the Biden Administration.5852Many of them were ready to go, but on day one, President Trump put a5853historic pause all 3,200 of those projects and created a new step in5854the grant approve process, requiring grants to be re-evaluated to make5855sure were not funding ``woke'' roads. As a result, grants that were5856selected under a fair and competitive process have been delayed.58575858    Question 1. Yes or No: Do you think it is fair to change the rules5859of the game and re-evaluate grants that have already been selected and5860announced based on criteria that weren't even part of the original5861application process?5862    Answer. I believe it is the duty of the Department to follow all5863applicable laws.58645865    Question 2. Yes or No: Do you commit to improving the transparency5866of the Department's grant review process and working with recipients to5867get remaining grants obligated as soon as possible so that funds can5868start to benefit our communities?5869    Answer. I believe it is important to follow the law as passed by5870Congress, including with respect to transparency.58715872    Question 3. Yes or No: Do you commit to making sure that DOT grant5873programs remain free from political bias and that projects under this5874Administration are selected based on merit?5875    Answer. I believe it is important to follow the law as passed by5876Congress, including with respect to political bias.58775878    Immigration Cooperation to Receive Federal Transportation Funds.5879DOT sends billions of dollars every year to States and local5880communities for highways, airports, transit, ports, and all sorts of5881critical transportation projects.5882    On April 24, 2025, Secretary Duffy issued a ``Follow the Law''5883letter to recipients of DOT funding stating that they are obligated to5884comply with all Federal laws, including cooperating with ICE in the5885enforcement of immigration law.5886    Failure to follow those requirements could result in Federal5887transportation funding being terminated. I see this as just creating5888more red tape for construction projects.58895890    Question 1. As DOT General Counsel you will be providing legal5891advice to Secretary Duffy and your office will have final authority on5892questions of law for the Department. Do you believe the Federal5893government has the legal authority to compel States to cooperate with5894Federal immigration enforcement in order to receive critical5895transportation funding?5896    Answer. It may be premature to discuss analysis related to legal5897authorities with respect to matters in which the United States may5898become a party to litigation.58995900    Department of the Interior ``M-Opinions.'' Mr. Zerzan, as the5901acting DOI Solicitor, you issued a memo on February 28, 2025, that5902placed every legal opinion by the Solicitor's office (known as ``M-5903Opinions'') issued under the Biden Administration under a ``Suspension5904Review.'' Twenty legal opinions were suspended, ranging from issues on5905migratory bird protections, mineral ownership in North Dakota, and land5906trusts for Alaska Natives. While previous solicitors in new5907Administrations have suspended or withdrawn certain M-Opinions, they5908had done so on a case-by-case basis.59095910    Question 1. What criteria, if any, did you apply when deciding5911which M-Opinions to suspend?5912    Answer. I must respectfully demur with respect to questions related5913to the internal legal deliberations of the Department of the Interior.59145915    Question 2. Yes or No: If confirmed, do you plan on rescinding or5916otherwise targeting DOT legal decisions simply because they were issued5917during the Biden Administration?5918    Answer. I commit to exercising legal judgments based on the5919substantive merits and applicable law and facts.59205921    Question 3. You also reinstated one M-opinion that a Federal5922district court ruled unlawful and vacated. Yes or No: Do you agree that5923an executive order does not give an agency the authority to violate a5924binding court order?5925    Answer. Executive orders do not generally override court orders.59265927    Impartial Legal Advice. I understand you have held a personal5928friendship with Secretary Duffy for at least 15 years.59295930    Question 1. Please detail your relationship with Secretary Duffy,5931including when and how you become friends.5932    Answer. I have known Secretary Duffy since he was a candidate for5933Congress. I consider him to be a patriot and a great American.59345935    Question 2. Yes or No: Do you agree that the role of DOT General5936Counsel is to provide sound legal guidance to advance the Department's5937interests, not any individual's personal interests?5938    Answer. It is a fundamental principle of legal ethics that the duty5939of a lawyer is to uphold the interests of the lawyer's client,5940consistent with the law.59415942    Question 3. Will you commit to always providing impartial legal5943advice if confirmed?5944    Answer. If I am so fortunate as to be confirmed I commit to5945upholding laws, rules and best ethical practices.5946                                 ______59475948    Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to5949                             Gregory Zerzan5950    1. Oversight Cooperation. In previous administrations, the General5951Counsel has supervised Congressional oversight requests related to the5952Department of Transportation. The Department's cooperation is crucial5953to this Committee's work, including in investigating and working to5954prevent recent plane collisions and near-misses.5955    If confirmed, will you work in good faith to provide prompt5956responses to congressional oversight as required by law?5957    Yes.5958                                 ______59595960  Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Tammy Duckworth to5961                             Gregory Zerzan5962    Question 1. Steven Bradbury was Department of Transportation (DOT)5963General Counsel during Congressional 737 MAX investigations, DOT did5964not cooperate with this committee's requests for documents and5965information.5966    Chair Wicker's final report on our committee's investigation5967concluded, ``The level of cooperation by the FAA and DOT has been5968unacceptable and at times has bordered on obstructive.''5969    The report specifically called out Bradbury's failure to produce5970relevant documents requested by Chair Wicker.5971    If you are confirmed, Mr. Bradbury will be your boss at DOT.59725973    A. Why should this committee trust that you will be any more5974cooperative than Mr. Bradbury was with requests for documents and5975information?5976    I cannot speak to the facts of the particular matter you mention,5977but I commit to work in good faith to provide prompt responses to5978congressional oversight as required by law.59795980    B. If confirmed, will you provide this committee with a breakdown5981of the number of Department of Transportation employees--by mode and5982job category--who have left or are scheduled to leave DOT employment,5983so far, this year? This is not a request for names or personal5984identifying information.5985    I commit to work in good faith to provide prompt responses to5986congressional oversight as required by law59875988    Question 2. As you know, the Office of Aviation Consumer Protection5989(OACP) sits within the Office of General Counsel. The OACP handles5990complaints filed by flying passengers, including passengers with5991disabilities, who might want recourse when--for example--their5992wheelchair gets broken. Many of my priorities included in the FAA5993Reauthorization Act that was signed into law last year were intended to5994improve the travel experience for passengers with disabilities and5995would be implemented under the OACP. Please answer the following yes-5996or-no questions:59975998    A. If confirmed, will you ensure the various rulemaking5999requirements and issuance of sub-regulatory guidance required by the6000FAA Reauthorization Act, particularly under title V, will be published6001in the Federal Register on time? For any deadlines that may already6002have been missed, please list the date upon which we can expect to see6003these published.6004    I commit to endeavoring to follow the law as passed by Congress.60056006    B. With respect to Sec. 549, which was a priority of Senator6007Baldwin and me, I am concerned about your past efforts to deregulate6008industries at other departments. If confirmed, will you ensure DOT will6009investigate disability-related complaints within 120 days of receiving6010the complaint, and notify the complainant and relevant airline of the6011facts underlying the complaint and any action DOT is taking in response6012to the investigation?6013    I commit to endeavoring to follow the law as passed by Congress.6014                                 ______60156016   Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ben Ray Lujan to6017                             Gregory Zerzan6018    Question 1. The purpose of the Department of Transportation is to6019ensure that every form of transportation is safe for Americans. Yes or6020No: Would you take an action that is in conflict with those goals due6021to political pressure?6022    I commit to follow the law as passed by Congress.60236024    Question 2. Yes or No: Would you go against a direct order from the6025President or his cabinet if you believed it put lives at risk or was6026illegal?6027    I commit to follow the law as passed by Congress.60286029    Question 3. Yes or No: Did Joe Biden lawfully win the 20206030presidential election?6031    It is my understanding that Joseph Biden was certified the winner6032of the electoral college vote on January 7, 2021, thereby making him6033the lawfully elected President of the United States.60346035    Question 4. Yes or No: Did Donald Trump lawfully win the 20246036presidential election?6037    It is my understanding that Donald Trump was certified the winner6038of the electoral college vote on January 6, 2025, thereby making him6039the lawfully elected President of the United States.6040                                 ______60416042 Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Hickenlooper to6043                             Gregory Zerzan6044    The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law included major programs designed6045to improve safety, strengthen the resiliency of supply chains that rely6046on rail, highway, or aviation modes of transportation and modernize6047critical infrastructure across each state. The American government6048includes a separation of powers where the Legislative Branch passes6049laws that, after enactment, are implemented by the Executive Branch. By6050next year, Congress and this Committee must decide on how we will6051reauthorize surface transportation programs to meet the needs of our6052states.60536054    Question 1.Mr. Zerzan, do you believe an Executive Order has the6055power to override the will of laws that are crafted by Congress? Why or6056why not?6057    Executive orders do not generally override laws passed by Congress.60586059    Question 2. Mr. Zerzan, will you commit to advising Secretary Duffy6060to implement Federal policies, award discretionary grants or formula6061funds on a timely basis, and faithfully review project applications as6062intended by Congress?6063    I commit to advising the Secretary to follow all applicable law.60646065                                  [all]