THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

     PRESIDENT NAMES KENNETH M. MEAD AS INSPECTOR GENERAL
     AT THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

The President today announced his intention to nominate Kenneth M. Mead as Inspector General at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Kenneth M. Mead, of Fairfax, Virginia, has served as a Deputy Assistant Comptroller General of the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) since early 1996. He is responsible for developing GAO policy guidance and for directing the design and implementation of GAO's Performance Measurement program. From 1987 to 1995, Mr. Mead was Director of Transportation Issues and Policy at GAO, where he managed a staff of 125 in evaluating effectiveness, budgetary and compliance matters. At the GAO, Mr. Mead has been responsible for numerous independent recommendations to Congress and the Department of Transportation to improve passenger safety in aviation, rail, transit, and other key transportation sectors. His efforts have contributed to important changes in areas including air traffic control modernization, aviation safety and security measures, highway and bridge infrastructure restoration, and high speed rail system development. Mr. Mead has been the lead witness at more than 100 Congressional hearings on transportation issues.

Mr. Mead earned his Bachelor of Arts from Southern Connecticut State University and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina Law School. He also served in the Submarine Service in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Mead and his wife, Elizabeth Guerry Mead, have two daughters.

The Inspector General of the Department of Transportation has the responsibility to audit and investigate Department programs and operations to prevent and detect waste, fraud, and abuse. In addition, the Inspector General recommends policies designed to promote effectiveness and economy in Department programs.

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