Obama nominates Elliott for second term as STB chair

President Barack Obama yesterday announced his intention to reappoint Daniel Elliott III as a Surface Transportation Board (STB) member for a term to expire Dec. 31, 2018. If the reappointment is approved by the Senate, Elliott again would be designated as chairman.

Elliott was sworn in as the STB's fifth chairman on Aug. 13, 2009. He was nominated to the board for a four-year term expiring Dec. 31, 2013, and the appointment was confirmed by the Senate on Aug. 7, 2009.

Prior to joining the board, Elliott garnered two decades of experience as an attorney, including 16 years litigating in the transportation field. From 1993 to 2009, he was associate general counsel to the United Transportation Union, where he practiced before the STB. Elliott also practiced before the National Mediation Board and National Labor Relations Board, and worked in private practice in Cleveland and Washington, D.C.

American Chemistry Council (ACC) officials extended congratulations to Elliott for his re-nomination to lead the board.

"The ACC looks forward to continuing our work with Chairman Elliott and the entire board on reforms that will promote reliable and competitive freight-rail service. The board has before it several cases that are critical to the efficient movement of goods that are essential to the U.S. economy, including chemicals," they said in a prepared statement. "We encourage the board to take action in 2015 to allow greater rail-to-rail competition, update its rate review process and enact meaningful reforms that will help grow our economy and improve the nation’s freight-rail system."