Congressman Bill Shuster, who was selected Nov. 28 to be the next chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, announced the appointment of key senior staff to lead the Committee in the 113th Congress.
“I am pleased that these experienced and knowledgeable professionals have agreed to help me run the committee next year. Their expertise will aid the committee in pursuing an aggressive agenda focused on strengthening America’s transportation networks to make us more efficient, more competitive, and more prosperous.” Shuster said in a press release announcing the appointment of several senior staff members to the committee. “Over the next month, I will be welcoming additional Committee staff to round out this excellent team. I look forward to hitting the ground running as the 113th Congress begins.”
Christopher Bertram will be the committee chief of staff. This will be Bertram’s third tour on Capitol Hill. He was the staff director of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee from 1996 to 2001. He held the position of staff director of both the Senate Aviation and Surface Subcommittees between 2003 and 2009. Bertram has also served as the chief financial officer of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and in a number of positions at the Office of Management and Budget. He currently is the chief financial officer of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
“I’m looking forward to Chris bringing his in-depth knowledge of transportation and infrastructure issues back to Capitol Hill,” said Senator John Thune. “I got to know Chris when I served on the House T&I Committee in the 1990s and more closely when he was part of our staff on the Senate Commerce Committee. Chris is highly respected for his understanding of the budgetary and legislative processes and will be a great asset to Chairman Shuster.”
Stephen Martinko will be appointed deputy chief of staff. Martinko is a veteran Shuster aide with more than a decade of experience on Capitol Hill. He is currently chief of staff in Shuster’s personal office and has previously served as the Congressman’s deputy chief of staff and legislative director. Martinko also has experience as a professional staff member on the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and has played an integral role in a number of major transportation initiatives including the recently enacted surface transportation authorization (MAP 21), pipeline safety legislation, Amtrak reauthorization and rail safety bills, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reform.
Jennifer Hall will continue in her position as general counsel to the Committee. Hall has been with the committee since 2006. She previously served as counsel to the Highways and Transit Subcommittee and as counsel to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. Hall has also been a counsel with the House Government Reform Committee and worked at FEMA. During the conference on the recently enacted MAP-21, Hall was the committee’s point person on environmental streamlining, motor carrier safety, and transportation planning provisions.
Finally, Shuster announced that Jim Tymon will serve as senior advisor to the chairman and will continue as the staff director of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee. He is a 10-year veteran of the committee, which he joined in 2002 after working at the Office of Management and Budget. Tymon was the lead staff negotiator for the House during the Conference with the Senate for MAP 21. He also negotiated the previous surface transportation bill (SAFETEA LU) and the last two pipeline safety bills.
