Thursday, December 27, 2001
FTA 17-01
Contact: Karen Clarke
Tel.: (202) 366-4319
Transportation Secretary Names William Sears to Serve as FTA Chief Counsel
U.S.
Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today announced the appointment of
William P. Sears to serve as Chief Counsel for the Federal Transit
Administration (FTA).
“I
am pleased to have someone with both public and private sector experience
joining our team,” said Secretary Mineta.
“Will’s counsel and advice will be of great value to the FTA as we
continue to address the challenging issues that lie ahead.
I want to welcome Will aboard, and I look forward to working with him in
the years to come.”
As
Chief Counsel, Sears will lead FTA’s Office of the Chief Counsel, a department
responsible for all aspects of the FTA's legal activities, including regulatory
and legislative functions. The
Office of the Chief Counsel also provides extensive legal support to management
and staff on all facets of FTA’s programs, providing legal opinions and
guidance to grantees, state and local government and all other interested
parties.
“Will
is an invaluable addition to our executive team,” said FTA Administrator
Jennifer L. Dorn. “Public
transportation is integral to our national transportation infrastructure as we
work to keep communities safe and moving. I
am so pleased that someone of Will’s experience and capability is helping to
lead the agency’s efforts.”
Sears
has an extensive history of service. Prior
to his appointment, he was president of The Peterson Group, a legislative
consulting firm specializing in transportation, education and appropriations
issues. His move to the private
sector followed more than a decade of work on Capitol Hill, most recently as
chief counsel and legislative assistant for Sen. Rick Santorum.
Sears
was instrumental in drafting numerous pieces of legislation for Sen. Santorum,
including provisions that were incorporated in the Telecommunications Act of
1996, the Higher Education Act Reauthorization of 1998, and the Transportation
Equity Act for the 21st Century.
Sears
earned his law degree from Washington and Lee University and his bachelor’s
degree from Colgate University. He
lives on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.
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