Daniel R. Elliott III was sworn in as the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Chairman on June 26, 2015, pledging to promote transparency and improve and streamline regulation of the nation’s freight railroads.
President Barack Obama nominated Elliott to the Board on Jan. 13, 2015 for a four- year term expiring Dec. 31, 2018.; he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 22, 2015. This is Chairman Elliott’s second term at the Board. Previously, he served as Chairman of the agency from Aug. 13, 2009 to Dec. 31, 2014.
At his confirmation hearing before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in May 2015, Elliott states that he would “continue the reforms that he had begun during his first term to increase Board transparency and efficiency, to promote a reliable rail network and to bring more accessibility to the Board’s process.”
“I would like to thank President Obama for honoring me with this second appointment,” Chairman Elliott said. “I am so pleased to return to the Board to continue work to make sure the Board’s processes are fair, efficient and accessible for all stakeholders. I look forward to working with my fellow Board members and Board staff to continue the progress that we have made.”
Prior to Chairman Elliott’s first term at the Board, he served for 16 years as Associate General Counsel to the United Transportation Union. Earlier, he practiced at law firms in Washington and Cleveland. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in political science in 1985 and earned a law degree from Ohio State College of Law in 1989.