Michael Rutherford Confirmed as First Assistant Secretary: Freight Gains a Seat at the DOT Leadership Table
The U.S. Senate has confirmed Michael Rutherford as the nation’s first Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy – a landmark step that finally gives freight a dedicated voice at the highest levels of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA) applauds his confirmation and the historic establishment of this office to champion America’s freight network across all modes.
Rutherford will lead the newly created Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure & Policy, established under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in 2021 to strengthen the nation’s multimodal freight network.
With nearly two decades at CSX, where he managed major business lines beyond intermodal and coal, Rutherford brings a wealth of operational and leadership experience. In his Senate testimony, he emphasized moving from “ad hoc coordination” to a systematic, holistic approach to freight planning across DOT and its state partners.
TIA strongly endorses Rutherford’s confirmation, citing his proven record in freight transportation, pragmatic industry experience, and commitment to modernizing supply chain policy. TIA has been working with the Freight Office to advance priorities such as:
- National Multimodal Freight Network (NMFN)
- Update to the National Freight Strategic Plan
- Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) program
- Federal response to cargo theft
As Assistant Secretary, Rutherford will oversee national freight policy and data-sharing initiatives, freight-related grant programs, research efforts, and cross-modal working groups. His confirmation represents a pivotal moment for U.S. freight transportation, ensuring that freight has a permanent seat at the DOT leadership table. His leadership will be critical in shaping policies that enhance safety, resilience, and competitiveness in partnership with industry, state and local DOTs, and the Administration.
👉 Have your say: [CLICK HERE] to submit comments to the Federal Register, DOT Office of Freight Request for Information (RFI), Protecting America’s Supply Chain from Cargo Theft, [Docket: DOT-OST-2025-1326] by October 20, 2025.
