Women in transportation group thanks LaHood for DOT work

A group that encourages women to seek employment in the transportation industry is thanking departing Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood for helping to boost their ranks during his tenure in office.

LaHood announced this week that he was retiring from President Obama’s Cabinet.

The Washington, D.C.-based Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International said LaHood made it a priority to increase the number of women working in the transportation industry.

“Secretary LaHood epitomizes what WTS set out to accomplish when it was founded 35 years ago,” WTS President Marcia Ferranto said in a statement.

“While he’s been leading the charge to keep America’s transportation structure operating, he’s also been working and partnering with organizations like ours with an eye on the future,” she continued. “Workforce development is critical for this country and the world’s future, and bringing young women and other critical populations into the industry is where Secretary LaHood’s passion comes through.” 

With LaHood’s departure now confirmed, Obama may come under pressure to replace him with a woman. The president has been criticized by Republicans for appointing mostly men to early Cabinet openings.

National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairwoman Deborah Hersman, former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) and former Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire (D) have been included on a long list of rumored candidates for the DOT job.

White House officials have largely been mum about candidates in the running to replace LaHood.

Obama also has to fill Cabinet posts at the departments of Labor, Commerce, the Interior and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

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