Power index: Top 10 Biden appointments affecting freight markets
Leaders from across the administration connect supply chain links
Top 10 picks influence rail, ocean, highway freight. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves & The White House)
While almost every cabinet department and a host of federal agencies within the executive branch touch freight and supply chains in some way, these 10 recent appointees by President Joe Biden will likely figure most prominently in steering freight transportation policy as Biden’s administration gets underway. The list is in alphabetical order by last name.
Pete Buttigieg, secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)
(Credit: U.S. DOT)
Background: Buttigieg began campaigning for Biden almost immediately after dropping out of the presidential race in early 2020 and given the endorsement power of the popular former South Bend, Indiana, mayor, it was not a surprise he was rewarded with a cabinet post. Most would not have guessed, however, that DOT would have been Buttigieg’s landing spot given his lack of experience with major infrastructure projects. Then again, hands-on experience has not traditionally been a prerequisite for many top cabinet positions.