SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD

The Surface Transportation Board today announced the retirement of General Counsel Craig M. Keats after a career in public service spanning more than 51 years.

Mr. Keats began his career as an attorney at the Interstate Commerce Commission, in 1972.  He has served continuously since then through the transition from the ICC to the Surface Transportation Board.  Having joined the Office of the General Counsel in 1980, he was appointed Deputy General Counsel in 2000 and General Counsel in 2013.  Mr. Keats has briefed and argued many of the agency’s most important cases throughout the Federal court system.  In 2018, he was named the John T. Stewart, Jr. Transportation Lawyer of the Year by the Federal Bar Association’s Transportation and Transportation Security Law Section.

“Craig has been an invaluable pillar of knowledge to the agency, providing sound and reliable counsel to many Board chairs and members, including myself, and mentoring numerous staff attorneys,” said Chairman Martin J. Oberman.  “His wisdom, counsel, friendship, and quick wit have been essential to me, personally, and to the entire agency.  He will be sorely missed.  We wish him all the best on a well-earned retirement.”

Deputy General Counsel Anika Cooper has agreed to serve as Acting General Counsel, thus ensuring the continuing smooth operation of the Office of the General Counsel.  The General Counsel’s Office provides legal advice to the Board and defends Board actions in court, usually in the U.S. Courts of Appeals.

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