Executive director of new national highway funding commission named

A federal commission to study new ways to pay for the nation's highway and transit systems now has an executive director.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta recently named Quintin C. Kendall the new executive director of the Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission. The 12-member panel will meet for the first time next Wednesday, May 24, in Washington, D.C.

Kendall joined the department as Mineta's White House liaison in June 2002 before becoming the deputy assistant secretary for management and budget in April 2005.

"This commission will create the roadmap we need to navigate the financial future of our highway and transit networks," Mineta said. "Quintin has the skills necessary to help the commission accomplish their assignment."

Kendall will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the commission, including the scheduling of meetings and hearings, oversight of administrative support to the commission members and development of the commission's final product, a report to Congress due by July 1, 2007.