BETHESDA, Md. — Frank Mulvey, who served on the Surface Transportation Board from 2004 to 2013, including time as acting chairman and vice chairman, has died at the age of 81.
Mulvey died Oct. 18 at his home in Bethesda.
Mulvey was nominated to the STB by President George W. Bush in November 2003 and confirmed by the Senate in 2004, and nominated by Bush for a second term and confirmed in 2007. President Barack Obama designated him as acting chairman in March 2009; he served in that role until Aug. 13, 2009, when Daniel Elliott became chairman. Mulvey was vice chairman from January 2012 to January 2013.
Francis Patrick Mulvey was born on May 5, 1944, in Astoria, N.Y. He was a professor of economics at Bowling Green State University, Wheaton College, Northeastern University, and the University of Maryland before making the transition to government service as a staff member for U.S. Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.) His wide-ranging government experience included serving as serving the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure as staff director of the Railroad Subcommittee and staff director, pipelines and hazardous materials, for the Subcommittee on Highway and Transit. He also was deputy assistant director for rail, transit, and special programs for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General, and held positions with the U.S. General Accounting Office.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Petra; son Conor and daughter-in-law Tanya, and granddaughter Daria Mulvey. A memorial gathering and reception is set for Dec. 13, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Joseph Gawler and Sons, 5130 Wisconsin Ave. NW in Washington.
