Under Secretary for Policy
Blair Anderson was confirmed by the United States Senate in July 2016 to the position of Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy, the Department of Transportation’s third highest ranking official.
In this position, Mr. Anderson provides leadership in the development of policies for the department, including on legislative, regulatory and safety initiatives. His portfolio covers all modes of transportation, including aviation, highway, rail, transit and maritime transportation. Mr. Anderson is particularly engaged in the Department’s efforts to promote a culture of safe innovation around innovative technologies, including automated vehicles, Unmanned Aerial Systems and safety technologies still on the horizon. In addition, the Under Secretary’s office is responsible for the newly established Build America Bureau and the highly successful TIGER and FASTLANE grant programs.
Prior to serving as Under Secretary, Blair Anderson was the Deputy Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) since August 2015. As a passionate safety advocate, he was honored to hold a top leadership role at a time the Agency was developing guidance for safely deploying automated vehicles and requirements for vehicle to vehicle communications, while moving the industry towards a proactive safety culture.
In addition, Blair has served as the Acting Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs at the U.S. Department of Transportation. In this role, Mr. Anderson was responsible for the Department’s $70+ billion budget and the financial management of all the Department’s programs. He oversaw the execution of the Department’s loan portfolio, which grew to more than $21 billion during his tenure at the CFO’s office.
Background
Prior to joining the Department in April 2013, Mr. Anderson spent eight years as an advisor for Congressman John W. Olver, primarily overseeing his work as Chairman and Ranking Member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development. Notable achievements during this time included providing $10.5 billion for the High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail grant program and the creation of the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. Mr. Anderson also served as Congressman Olver’s Legislative Director from 2007-2009.
Mr. Anderson is originally from Laguna Beach, CA and obtained his bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University. The father of two young boys, he and his wife have become proudly proficient in the use of all the required types of car seats and boosters.