FOR RELEASE	Contact: Dennis Watson
12/03/2002 (Tuesday)	(202) 565-1596
No. 02-51	FIRS 1 (800) 877-8339
	www.stb.gov

Roger Nober Designated Chairman of Surface Transportation Board

The Surface Transportation Board announced today that Roger Nober was designated Chairman of the agency by President George W. Bush, replacing Linda J. Morgan. The announcement follows the receipt of the official letter of designation from the White House.

Regarding his appointment, Chairman Nober stated:

"I am honored and humbled at my designation by President Bush as the new Chairman of the STB, and look forward to serving the President as the Chairman of this agency. I am committed to working with my fellow Commissioners, the Administration, the Congress, all of the agency's stakeholders and the dedicated professionals who work at the Board on the important issues facing the STB."

Commissioner Morgan will continue to serve as a Member of the Board. On the outgoing Chairman, Nober remarked:

"I want to thank Commissioner Morgan for her eight years of dedicated service leading the Board, and the ICC before it, through some of the most difficult times the agency has faced. She has been a leader in the transportation field. She has shown a level of dedication, intelligence, professionalism and effectiveness to which all persons affiliated with the Board may aspire. I look forward to continuing to work with her as a fellow Commissioner here at the STB."

Chairman Nober, a Republican from Maryland, was nominated as a Board Member by President Bush on July 18, 2002, for a term expiring December 31, 2005. Chairman Nober was confirmed by the Senate on November 14, 2002, and sworn in as a Member of the Board on December 2, 2002.

Prior to joining the Board, Chairman Nober was the Counselor to the Deputy Secretary of Transportation, where he advised the Deputy Secretary and the Secretary of Transportation on all issues before the U.S. Department of Transportation. From 1997-2001, he served as Chief Counsel for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, U.S. House of Representatives. Chairman Nober served as Counsel to the House Subcommittee on Surface Transportation of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (1995-97), and as Minority Counsel to the Subcommittee on Surface Transportation of the House Committee on Public Works and Transportation (1993-94).

Before joining the Congress, Chairman Nober was associated with the New York City law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. Chairman Nober received his B.A. degree in 1986 from Haverford College, and his J.D. in 1989 from Harvard Law School. He makes his home in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with his wife and three children.

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