Biden appoints new MARAD deputy

By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas Correspondent

The Biden Administration appointed Lucinda Lessley as the new deputy administrator for the US Maritime Administration (MARAD). Lessley was among dozens of Department of Transportation appointments announced on January 21, President Joe Biden’s first full day in the Oval Office.

“This experienced team looks forward to getting right to work on behalf of the American people to deliver on policies and projects that will create jobs, equitably serve all Americans, and meet the climate crisis,” said Carlos Monje Jr, in a press release. 

Monje is a senior advisor to the secretary of transportation and is the department’s acting chief of staff. 

“President Biden has been clear: stronger infrastructure is a key to building our country back better than it was before,” Monje added.

GCaptain reports Lessley will replace acting administrator Douglas Burnett, MARAD’s general counsel. Burnett replaced Rear Adm. Mark H. Buzby after he announced his resignation from the administrator post as a protest to the insurrection at the US Capitol Building incited by former President Donald Trump supporters. Until a permanent administrator is nominated and confirmed by the US Senate, Lessley will serve as the acting chief of MARAD.

Lessley recently held the position of senior investigator for the House Committee on Homeland Security. She served as a policy director and senior investigator for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. Having served in office positions for the late Democratic Rep. Elijah Cummings, Lessley was also a professional staff member for the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transport, under the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure.

Lana Hurdle, the Transportation Department’s deputy assistant secretary for budget & programs, will serve as acting secretary of transportation until the Senate confirms secretary nominee Pete Buttigieg.