Nicole Nason officially became the 20th administrator of the Federal Highway Administration during a U.S. Department of Transportation ceremony held on May 2. The U.S. Senate confirmed Nason as FHWA administrator on March 28 by a vote of 95 to one.

[Left to right: Nicole Nason, her husband David with daughters Alex and Abby; Elaine Chao, USDOT Secretary; and Nason’s son Brady. Photo by USDOT.]

“We welcome Nicole back to the U.S. Department of Transportation,” noted USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao in a statement. “Her record of experience in the transportation sector and proven leadership skills will help this administration’s efforts to streamline the permitting process, engage with innovative technologies, and enhance mobility on our nation’s highways.”

“I am honored to be selected by President Trump and privileged to join the strong team that Secretary Chao has assembled at USDOT,” Nason said in a statement. “Working with our many state and local partners, I look forward to leading the FHWA and to developing a strong, safe and modern transportation network that meets the needs of our 21st-century nation.”

She previously served as assistant secretary of the Bureau of Administration at the U.S. Department of State, as administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration from 2006 to 2008, and as USDOT’s assistant secretary for government affairs from 2003 to 2006.