WASHINGTON — Ann Begeman has concluded her service on the Surface Transportation Board following the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of nominee Karen Hedlund.
Begeman’s final day on the five-member board was Friday, Dec. 17, after Hedlund was confirmed on Thursday, Dec. 16. Begeman’s term had expired on Dec. 31, 2020, but by statute, she remained on the board for an additional year pending replacement.
Begeman joined the STB in May 2011, and served as acting chairwoman or chairwoman from January 2017 through January, 2021, when Biden designated Martin J. Oberman as chairman.
“I want to express my deep appreciation to Ann for her leadership and dedication to the Board, both as chairman and as a member,” Oberman said in a press release marking Begeman’s departure. “Ann has shown dedication, leadership and innovation, and the beneficiary of all her persistent advocacy has always been the public. I will miss having Ann as a colleague and wish her continued success as she enters the next phase of her career.”
Key initiatives during Begeman’s two terms, the board said, include amending the Board’s ex parte communication regulations to allow more open dialogue between stakeholders and the board; reforming the board’s rate review processes to ensure that all shippers, including those with smaller disputes, have access to rate review; addressing concerns related to railroad practices and policies regarding demurrage and accessorial charges; and overseeing administrative improvements to help modernize the agency. She also ensured that the Board closely monitored rail service across the national network, enabling the Board to quickly address service challenges as they arose.
“It’s always hard to say goodbye, especially to someone who has left such an indelible mark on the Board,” said Vice Chairman Robert Primus. “The Board has greatly benefited from Ann’s service and our nation’s rail network is better because of it. Ann leaves behind an amazing list of accomplishments, including the establishment of the Rate Reform Task Force, the establishment of the Demurrage rule, and laying the groundwork for Final Offer Rate Review. Personally, I remain grateful for her willingness to help me navigate through my inaugural year on the Board and regret the fact that because of COVID, our time together was mostly virtual. I wish Ann nothing but the best in her future endeavors.”
Hedlund, nominated by President Joe Biden on April 29, was confirmed by the Senate on a voice vote. She will serve through Dec. 31, 2025.
Hedlund previously served as chief council for the Federal Railroad Administration. She has also been involved with development of the Gateway Project to build new tunnels between New York and New Jersey and make other Northeast Corridor infrastructure improvements, and with a high speed rail proposal in the Pacific Northwest. She has served as co-chair of the American Public Transportation Association’s Commuter and High-Speed and Passnger Rail Legislative Subcommittee.
— Revised and updated at 1 p.m. CST with STB release on departure of Begeman.
