Prepared by Public Affairs 312-751-4777

President Bush has reappointed Michael S. Schwartz as Chairman, Jerome F. Kever as Carrier Member, and V.M. Speakman, Jr., as Labor Member of the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board. Their nominations, for terms through August 28, 2012, August 28, 2008, and August 28, 2009, respectively, were confirmed by the U.S. Senate on June 22.

Mr. Schwartz was first appointed to the Board by President Bush in July 2003. A long-time official with the State of Illinois, he previously served as the Director of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) from 1995 to 2002, and as Associate Director of CMS from 1989 to 1995. Mr. Schwartz also served the State of Illinois as Assistant Director of Personnel, Office of Governor (1988-89); as Executive Assistant to the Director of Revenue (1986-88); and as Assistant to the Director of Professional Regulation (1985-86). Prior to his service with the State he was an elementary school teacher in New Berlin, Illinois.

A native of Illinois, Mr. Schwartz received his B.S. degree in Education from Illinois State University (1975), and his M.A. degree in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois at Springfield (1980).

Mr. Kever was first appointed to the Board by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 upon the recommendation of the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association. He was reappointed to a second term of office by President Clinton in 1995, and then to a third term in May 2000.

Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Kever was Vice President and Corporate Controller of the former Santa Fe Pacific Corporation (now merged into the Burlington Northern Santa Fe), which owned two Class I railroads. Before that he held executive positions with Household International and Deloitte and Touche.

A Certified Public Accountant, Mr. Kever holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Indiana University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.

Mr. Speakman was first appointed to the Board by President George H.W. Bush in 1992 upon the recommendation of the Railway Labor Executives' Association (RLEA). He was reappointed to a second term of office by President Clinton in 1995, and then to a third term in May 2000.

Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Speakman was President of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (1987-92). In this position he also served as Vice Chairman of the RLEA, Chairman of the RLEA's Committee on Railroad Retirement, and Secretary-Treasurer of the Transportation Trades Department of the AFL-CIO. He also served the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen as Vice President (1985-87), Director of Research (1984-85), Grand Lodge Representative (1979-84), and Local Lodge Chairman (1977-79).

Mr. Speakman began his railroad career as a signalman and foreman on the Penn Central Railroad. A veteran, he served with the U.S. Air Force in Vietnam.

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