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TRANSACTIONS NEWSLETTER ONLINE

July/August 2006

Mineta Steps Down From the U.S. Department of Transportation

Norm Mineta Photo: John Huseby, Caltrans

San Jose councilmember and mayor, California congressman, corporate executive and U.S. secretary of transportation. The venerable Norman Y. Mineta — known as “Norm” to most — has worn all these hats, and now is entering yet another career phase.

On July 7, Mineta resigned from his post as U.S. secretary of transportation and head of the federal Department of Transportation (DOT) at the age of 74 after serving a five-year stint under President George Bush. He is joining Hill & Knowlton as vice-chairman of their Global Communications Consultancy.

“The nation has greatly benefited from having someone of Norm’s caliber and expertise heading the DOT, and the Bay Area has been extremely fortunate to have a hometown guy in this pivotal post in D.C.,” said MTC Executive Director Steve Heminger.

As chair of the House Surface Transportation Subcommittee, Mineta played a central role in drafting and winning passage of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991, which revolutionized how regions like the Bay Area can spend federal funding. But Mineta likely will be best remembered in transportation circles for his quick action and steadiness during and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In his letter of resignation, Mineta said he was proud of his agency’s response to the crisis, “from bringing thousands of civilian flights to safe landings in a few hours, to designing, creating and staffing the Transportation Security Agency in less than a year.”
— Brenda Kahn

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