Ann Begeman

Ann Begeman was designated Acting Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board by President Donald J. Trump, on January 23, 2017. Ms. Begeman is currently serving her second, five-year term as a Member of the Board following her nomination by President Barack Obama on December 7, 2016, and her unanimous confirmation by the U.S. Senate on December 9, 2016. Ann first joined the Board on May 2, 2011, bringing over 20 years of transportation policy experience to the agency. Her current term expires December 31, 2020. Prior to her appointment, Ms. Begeman held Senate staff positions on Capitol Hill, playing a key role in the crafting of major transportation legislation, including the ICC Termination Act, which sunset the Interstate Commerce Commission and created the STB. She served as the Republican Staff Director for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation under the leadership of U.S. Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and as the Committee's Deputy Staff Director and Transportation Policy Advisor under the leadership of U.S. Senator John McCain. Ms. Begeman has also served as Legislative Director and Acting Chief of Staff for Senator John McCain. She first began working on transportation policy as a Legislative Assistant to U.S. Senator Larry Pressler. She also worked in the private sector, serving as a benefits specialist for First American Bankshares, Inc. In carrying out her duties as Acting Chairman, Ann is committed to working with her Board Member colleagues and Board staff to help make the agency more accountable, transparent, and timely. Since joining the Board, Ann has served as the Board's Vice Chairman from May 2, 2011, to January 3, 2012; from January 4, 2013, to May 27, 2014; and from January 1, 2015, to January 7, 2016. She has also served as Co-Chair of the National Grain Car Council for 2011, 2013, and 2015. Ann is a native of Humboldt, South Dakota. She earned a B.S. in business administration from the University of South Dakota.