WASHINGTON — Robert Gleason, the White House nominee to serve on Amtrak’s board of directors, was among the nominees the U.S. Senate confirmed en masse last week.
The Senate approved 48 Trump administration nominees under a simple majority vote on Thursday. Republicans adopted the process last week to speed the confirmation of nominees amid Democratic efforts to stall the appointment of lower-level, non-judicial nominations.
“We extend our sincere appreciation to the Senate and the Administration for advancing this nomination, and we welcome Robert Gleason to the Amtrak Board of Directors,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said in a statement. “His appointment strengthens our commitment to the continued delivery of safe, reliable, and efficient passenger rail service. Together, we will ensure Amtrak remains a vital part of America’s transportation infrastructure.”
Gleason, the former head of Pennsylvania’s Republican Party, has been actively involved in pushing for increased Amtrak service.
Gleason hails from Westmont, Pa., a community southwest of Johnstown.
A U.S. Air Force active-duty veteran and reservist who is currently Pennsylvania president of a global insurance firm, Gleason was appointed as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of the Commonwealth in the mid-1980s and later served on Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the state’s Transportation Commission.
