"Robert brings a wealth of communications and management experience to the department. His leadership and team building skills will be invaluable in achieving the department's strategic goals, and will prove to be important assets as we meet the challenge of improving our nation's public transportation systems," said Secretary Mineta. "I welcome him aboard my team."

Jamison has over fifteen years experience in domestic and international corporate planning, operations, and management, the agency said. He comes to FTA from the American Red Cross, where he served as an operations manager from 1997 to 1999, when he became Senior Operations Officer, with responsibilities for managing a $2.5 billion budget, 33,000-employee non-profit organization. His management experience also includes 13 years at United Parcel Service, where his responsibilities ranged from operations supervisor to oversight of foreign operation infrastructure investment to management of systems and infrastructure for the Washington metropolitan area for the $30 billion industry leader.

As Deputy Administrator, Jamison will lead the operations of the 170-person, 10-region field staff that administer the $6 billion federal transit assistance program with hands-on, day-to-day, face-to-face contact with our nation's transit operators, the agency said. He will shepherd the investment of FTA's $4.5 billion budget for transit capital construction to ensure that America's transit riders continue to get the most from America's transit resource.