July 28, 2008

U.S. Conference of Mayors CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran announced that Ron Thaniel, former Assistant Executive Director at the Conference will return to join the staff, effective September 2. Cochran said the Conference is most fortunate to have as its lead staff person, a person as knowledgeable and experienced as Thaniel.

“Next year with the reauthorization of SAFETEA-LU, the nation’s mayors face a challenge and a monumental opportunity to demand that the multi-billion dollar national investment of transportation must be climate and energy centered,” said Cochran. “Today, the voters are lined up demanding a new transportation system from Washington that guarantees a new product line that businesses and our citizens need. Ron Thaniel’s experience here at the Conference as our staff lead in the 2005 authorization, coupled with his recent experience with Amtrak, convinces me that he is the person for this important position here at the Conference of Mayors.”

During his time at Amtrak’s New York office overseeing government relations for the Northeast United States, Thaniel provided political oversight for such transportation projects of national significance as the Moynihan Station in New York City, the Trans-Hudson Express Rail Tunnel, and the Thames River Bridge replacement project in Connecticut. He also led efforts to engage elected officials on such matters as the 2030 Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Master Plan and the reauthorization of Amtrak. Thaniel formerly served as Assistant Executive Director for Transportation at the U.S. Conference of Mayors from January 2002 to March 2007.