Mark V. Rosenker took the oath of office today (Friday) as the 11th Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board. 

Chairman Rosenker became a Member of the Board in March 2003 and was designated by President Bush as Vice Chairman of the Board that April. In March of 2005, Rosenker became Acting Chairman, a position he has held until today.

Last year, President Bush nominated Rosenker to a new 5-year term as Member; he was confirmed by the Senate in December for a term that expires at the end of 2010. The position of Chairman, which runs for two years, requires separate Presidential nomination and Senate confirmation.

President Bush nominated Rosenker for the Chairmanship earlier this year; he was confirmed by the Senate last week.

"I am extremely grateful to President Bush and the Members of the United States Senate for the confidence they have shown in me," Chairman Rosenker said, "and I look forward to leading the NTSB in carrying out its challenging mission. I'm also committed to maintaining the Board's position as one of the most effective and respected agencies in federal government."

Since coming to the Board, Chairman Rosenker has been the Member on scene for a number of Safety Board investigations, including the December 2005 crash of a seaplane in Miami that killed all 20 persons aboard; the October 2005 capsizing of the passenger vessel Ethan Allen in Lake George, NY that also took 20 lives; and two derailments involving Metra commuter trains in Chicago last year.

Before joining the Board in 2003, Rosenker served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Director of the White House Military Office beginning January 20, 2001. In that capacity, he had responsibility for policies, personnel and plans that involve Department of Defense assets in direct support of the President.

Prior to his White House appointment, Rosenker was Managing Director of the Washington, DC office for the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), overseeing the development, implementation and management of a national public information program dealing with all facets of organ transplantation in the U.S. Before joining UNOS, he served
23 years as Vice President, Public Affairs for the Electronic Industries Alliance.

Chairman Rosenker's interest and experience in transportation safety dates back more than three decades to his time at a major national public affairs organization. His clients there included the American Safety Belt Council, the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, and the Safety Helmet Council of America. He later served as Director of Communications for the American Moped/Motorized Bicycle Association.

Rosenker's professional experience includes service in the federal government at the Department of Interior, the Federal Trade Commission, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the American Battle Monuments Commission. He is a Major General in the Air Force Reserve.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov