HONORABLE KATHRYN O'LEARY HIGGINS
MEMBER

Kathryn O’Leary Higgins was sworn in as the 36th Member of the National Transportation Safety Board on January 3, 2006.

Ms. Higgins brings 36 years of experience in the public and private sectors to her new appointment. She was most recently employed as President and CEO of TATC Consulting and was Vice President for Public Policy at the National Trust for Historic Preservation from May 1999 to January 2004.

Member Higgins served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (July 1997-May 1999), Acting Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, and Vice Chair of the Presidential Commission on U.S. Coast Guard Roles and Missions.

Ms. Higgins served in the White House (February 1995 – July 1997) as Assistant to the President and Secretary to the Cabinet. In that capacity she worked closely with the NTSB, DOT, FAA, and Coast Guard on a number of matters, including the 1996 ValuJet 597 and TWA 800 accidents, formulation and implementation of hazardous materials regulations, increasing inspector staffing, FAA reauthorization, and creation of the NTSB Office of Family Assistance. She was awarded distinguished service medals by the FAA and Coast Guard for her work.

Ms. Higgins served as Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Labor (January 1993-February 1995), Chief of Staff to Congressman Sander Levin (January 1986 – January 1993), and Senior Legislative Associate and Minority Staff Director with the U.S. Senate Labor and Human Resources Committee (January 1981 –January 1986).

Member Higgins was with the White House Domestic Policy Council, serving as Assistant Director for Employment Policy (May 1978 –January 1981). She began her career in 1969 as a Manpower Specialist with the Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor.

Ms. Higgins came to Washington from Yankton, South Dakota and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Nebraska. She was married to the late William J. Higgins and is the mother of two sons, Liam and Kevan.

Ms. Higgins’ term expires December 31, 2009.