Victor Mendez

Victor Mendez

President Obama will formally name two successors to posts within the U.S. Transportation Department, following departures late last year and earlier this year.

Victor Mendez has been nominated as deputy transportation secretary, the department’s second highest position, replacing John Porcari who left in December, after four and half years of service.

Mendez has been administrator of the Federal Highway Administration at the Department of Transportation since 2009 and was designated the acting deputy secretary of transportation in 2013. 

Prior to this position, he was a member of former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano’s cabinet, serving as the director of the Arizona Department of Transportation from 2003 to 2009. He worked at ADOT in a variety of roles from 1985 to 1999, including as deputy director.

Mendez received a B.S. from the University of Texas at El Paso and an M.B.A. from Arizona State University.

Peter Rogoff was nominated for under secretary of policy, the department’s number three post, replacing Polly Trottenberg, who was tapped by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio in January as the city’s transportation commissioner.

Peter Rogoff

Peter Rogoff

Rogoff has been the federal transit administrator for the Department of Transportation since 2009 and was designated acting under secretary of transportation for policy in 2014. 

Prior to joining the Federal Transit Administration, he served as a Democratic staff director on the Transportation Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee from 1995 to 2009. Rogoff worked as a professional staff member on the Transportation Subcommittee from 1990 to 1994 and was a professional staff member on the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee from 1987 to 1989. 

Rogoff received a B.A. from Amherst College and an M.B.A. from Georgetown University.

Both will have to be confirmed by the Senate. Little to no opposition is expected.

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