Daniel R. Elliott III was sworn in June 26, 2015, as the Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB), pledging to continue to promote transparency and to improve and streamline regulation of the Nation’s freight railroads.
He was nominated to the STB by President Barack Obama on January 13, 2015 for a four year term expiring Dec. 31, 2018. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 22, 2015. This is Chairman Elliott’s second term on the STB. He previously served as Chairman of the agency from Aug. 13, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2014.
At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in May 2015, Elliott stated that he would continue the reforms that he had begun during his first term to increase STB transparency and efficiency; to promote a reliable rail network; and to bring more accessibility to the STB’s processes.
“I would like to thank President Obama for honoring me with this second appointment,”Chairman Elliott said. “I am so pleased to return to the STB to continue work to make sure the STB’s processes are fair, efficient and accessible for all stakeholders. I look forward to working with my fellow board members and board staff to continue the progress that we have made.”
Prior to Chairman Elliott’s first term at the STB, he served for 16 years as associate general counsel to the United Transportation Union. Earlier, he practiced at law firms in Washington and Cleveland. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in political science in 1985 and earned a law degree from Ohio State College of Law in 1989.