President Obama announced today the nomination of Thomas Kotarac to serve as Chair of the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). Mr. Kotarac has been recently working as Deputy Director of Policy for the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). Prior to that he served as a Senior Aide to Senator Dick Durbin (IL) for eight years.
Senator Durbin commended the President’s nomination of his former aide on the Senate floor:
There are few people I have met in my career that are more committed to our transportation systems than Tom Kotarac. Tom is a dedicated public servant who has been a tireless advocate for improving Illinois’ rail systems, roads, airports and waterways. He has consistently worked across the aisle and across regional borders to find common ground on projects that create good-paying jobs, spur economic activity and make traveling safer and more efficient for commuters. I know he will bring the same level of commitment to the men and women who rely on the Railroad Retirement Board.