People in the news

Roy Kienitz

Department of Transportation Under Secretary for Policy (since April 2009)

(DOT.gov)

Why He Matters

Kienitz brings a wealth of environment and transportation experience to the Obama administration.

But Kienitz differs from the typical Department of Transportation (DOT) official in many ways as he boasts a degree in aquatic biology and three years of Peace Corps. work in Ecuador. Now, after over 20 years of serving in government or pondering policy issues at think-tanks, he is the number-three official at the DOT.

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At a Glance

  • Career History: Deputy Chief of Staff for Gov. Edward G. Rendell (2003 to 2009); Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning (2001 to 2003); Executive Director of the Surface Transportation Policy Project (1998 to 2001)
  • Birthday: Sept. 14, 1962
  • Hometown: Mountain View, Calif.
  • Alma Mater: University of California at Santa Barbara, B.A. (aquatic biology), 1983
  • DC Office: 1200 New Jersey Ave SE; Phone: 202-366-4000
  • Web site
 

Path to Power

Born in Mountain View, Calif., Kienitz appeared as if he would pursue a much different career. He attended the University of California at Santa Barbara and studied aquatic biology.

After graduating in 1983, Kienitz joined the Peace Corps, serving in Ecuador for three years.

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The Issues

Kienitz works in the DOT as a policy specialist. He helps Secretary Ray LaHood make policy that affects ground transportation and aviation, which means he deals with subjects that range from texting-while-driving laws to airplane pilot do's and don'ts when in the air.

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Kienitz expressed his plan to focus on the below issues:

  1. Efficiently investing the $48 billion provided in the February 2009 stimulus package for transportation projects
  2. Assuring that the transportation investments provide environmental sustainability
  3. Shaping transportation plans to the community that needs them
  4. Assuring safe transportation
 

The Network

At the DOT, Kienitz works closely with Secretary Raymond H. Lahood and Deputy Secretary John D. Porcari. Porcari and Kienitz both served in former Maryland Governor Parris N. Glendening's (D) cabinet.

From 2003 to 2009, Kienitz worked as Deputy Chief of Staff to Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell.

 

Campaign Contributions

In 2004, Kienitz donated $500 to Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.).

 

Additional Resources

  1. Center for Responsive Politics
  2. Statement of Roy Kienitz Under Secretary-Designate, United States Department of Transportation Before the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, April 21, 2009
  3. Department of Transportation Official Biography of Roy Kienitz accessed on Nov. 9, 2009
  4. State of Maryland Official Bio accessed on Nov. 10, 2009