Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett, USCG (Ret.) became the Acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation last month.  He assumes the dual responsibility of serving as Acting Deputy Secretary while continuing his duties as Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).  As Acting Deputy Transportation Secretary, Barrett serves as the Department’s chief operating officer and is responsible for the day-to-day management of DOT’s $61.1 billion budget, 10 departments and approximately 60,000 employees.  Barrett is PHMSA’s first Administrator and directs the Agency’s national program for protecting against risks to life and property inherent in the transportation of liquid, natural gas, petroleum and other hazardous liquids by pipeline.

Krista L. Edwards is the new Deputy Administrator at PHMSA. As Deputy Administrator, Edwards will assist the Administrator in leading the agency, focusing on regulatory, enforcement and   legislative policy. Edwards joined DOT as PHMSA’s first politically appointed Chief Counsel nearly two years ago, after 18 years of private practice in Washington, DC.