All spring and summer, shippers and carriers waited and worried about how long the Bush administration and Congress were taking to fill key positions affecting the freight transportation industry. With top posts vacant, some observers said, important legislative and regulatory initiatives would languish.

In late September, a flurry of confirmations and nominations helped allay those fears. They included the following:

• On Sept. 19, the U.S. Senate unanimously confirmed Robert C. Bonner as U.S. customs commissioner. In the early 1990s, Bonner served as administrator for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). He has also been a federal prosecutor, a U.S. Attorney, a U.S. District Court judge, and a lawyer in private practice in California. He was sworn in on Sept. 24.
• On Sept. 21, the Senate confirmed Ellen G. Engleman as administrator of the Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). RSPA is primarily responsible for oversight of regulations and research concerning the transportation of hazardous materials. Engleman most recently was CEO of Electricore Inc., a non-profit research and development organization that focuses on the defense area. Her previous experience includes positions in public policy and government affairs for a relief agency and at GTE.
• On Sept. 21, the White House nominated William Schubert to be administrator of DOT's Maritime Administration (MarAd). Schubert currently is president of International Trade and Transportation, a Texas consulting firm. He held various positions at MarAd between 1986 and 1995, including special advisor to the agency's administrator and regional representative for the southwestern United States. Prior to that, Schubert, a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, was a licensed ship's officer. At press time, the Senate had not yet approved that nomination.
• Also on Sept. 21, the Senate confirmed Read Van de Water as DOT's assistant secretary of transportation for aviation and international affairs. That position oversees negotiation and implementation of international treaties that apply to transportation. Van de Water has extensive experience in trade policy; from 1991 to 1997, she served as legislative counsel and director of government affairs for Northwest Airlines. Since then, she has founded an employment consulting firm in the area of government and public affairs and has been legislative counsel for international trade and investment for the Business Roundtable.
• On Sept. 26, Mary Peters was confirmed as administrator of the U.S. DOT's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Formerly a senior official with the Arizona Transportation Department, Peters has served on several national committees of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.
• That same day, Marion C. Blakey was sworn in as chair of the National Transportation Safety Board. She recently headed her own public affairs consulting group, which focuses on transportation and safety issues. Prior to that, Blakey served in various federal government positions, including two years as administrator of DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and stints in the Departments of Commerce and Education, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the White House.
• Also on Sept. 26, the Senate confirmed Joseph M. Clapp as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Clapp has long experience in the motor carrier industry. Most recently, he was chairman of Roadway Services Inc. He began his trucking career as director of safety for Ryder Tank Line and joined Roadway in 1967. Clapp worked his way up through Roadway's sales and executive organizations, including several years as CEO. He has also chaired the Transportation Research Board and several trucking industry research and charitable organizations.