Governor Wes Moore Announces New Acting Secretary for Maryland Department of Transportation

Maryland is set to welcome a new leader at the helm of its Department of Transportation, with Governor Wes Moore announcing the appointment of Kathryn B. “Katie” Thomson as acting secretary. Thomson is expected to assume her duties on January 7, stepping into a role that will oversee critical infrastructure initiatives for the state. This appointment comes as Maryland faces significant challenges and opportunities in modernizing its transportation systems, enhancing resilience, and ensuring reliability across the network.

Thomson brings a wealth of experience to the position, with over three decades dedicated to the fields of transportation, aviation, energy, and sustainability, encompassing law, policy, and operations. Her most recent role was as deputy administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where she served as the chief operating officer for an organization employing more than 45,000 individuals. In this capacity, she managed an annual budget of $20 billion and spearheaded efforts to improve safety protocols, update national airspace infrastructure, and bolster future workforce development in the aviation sector.

Prior to her work at the FAA, Thomson held a significant position within the U.S. Department of Transportation as its general counsel. In this capacity, she supervised a team of 500 attorneys and coordinated legal matters across all modes of transportation. She was also instrumental in overseeing the implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, directing the strategic allocation of $660 billion in federal funds aimed at modernizing the nation’s infrastructure. Her extensive background also includes private sector leadership, where she served as vice president and associate general counsel for worldwide transportation and sustainability at Amazon. In this role, she led the legal team responsible for global logistics and the company’s environmental sustainability commitments. Her career further includes significant tenures as a partner at prominent law firms, Sidley Austin and Morrison & Foerster, specializing in environmental and transportation law.

Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller, who led the national search for the transportation secretary, highlighted the depth of experience Thomson possesses, noting her background in both federal transportation leadership and the private sector. The administration anticipates that Thomson will play a key role in improving safety, strengthening Maryland’s economy, and fostering better community connections throughout the state.

Thomson received her undergraduate education from the University of Illinois and subsequently earned her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Governor Wes Moore

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