FOR RELEASE
01/29/2019 (Tuesday) [PDF Version]
No. 19-1
Contact: Janie Sheng (202) 245-0238
FedRelay 1 (800) 877-8339
www-stb-gov.go-vip.net
Chairman Ann Begeman announced the swearing in of Mr. Patrick J. Fuchs on January 17, 2019, and of Mr. Martin J. Oberman on January 22, 2019, as Members of the Board following confirmation by the United States Senate on January 2, 2019.
Mr. Fuchs most recently served as a senior professional staff member working on surface transportation and maritime issues for the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation under the leadership of Chairman John Thune of South Dakota.
Mr. Fuchs has played an integral role in the development and enactment of major railroad legislation, including the first reauthorization of the Surface Transportation Board since its creation in 1996 and the first passenger rail reauthorization in over seven years. He also worked on legislation to improve rail project delivery, rail financing, and hazardous materials safety, all of which were enacted as part of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), the five-year, $305 billion surface transportation authorization.
Mr. Fuchs graduated with distinction in economics and political science and earned an M.P.A. from the University of Wisconsin, where he received the Director’s Achievement Award for his outstanding academic record. Mr. Fuchs and his wife, Katherine, were born and raised in Wisconsin.
Mr. Oberman has been a trial and appellate lawyer in Chicago for nearly 50 years. He has also had a lengthy career in public service, including 12 years as a reform leader on Chicago’s City Council. From 2014 to 2016, Mr. Oberman served as Chairman of the Chicago region’s commuter railroad Metra, the second largest in the United States. Mr. Oberman’s legal, government and railroad experience has well prepared him for his duties at the Surface Transportation Board. Mr. Oberman is a graduate of Yale University and the University of Wisconsin Law School.
“It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve on the Surface Transportation Board,” Fuchs said. “I look forward to working with Chairman Begeman, Board Member Oberman, and the Board’s staff to advance the Board’s important mission.”
“I’m looking forward to serving on the Surface Transportation Board at this important juncture in the Board’s history,” said Mr. Oberman.
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