James F. Ports, Jr. Named Deputy Administrator for NHTSA

James F. Ports, Jr. Named Deputy Administrator for the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration welcomes James F. Ports, Jr., as the new Deputy Administrator of the NHTSA.

Jim brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from the transportation arena, said NHTSA Administrator Nicole R. Nason. With NHTSAs busy agenda for the next two years, his leadership is greatly welcomed.

Most recently, Ports served as the Deputy Secretary for Marylands Department of Transportation (MDOT). Ports was responsible for overseeing the 9,200-employee department which had an annual budget of $3.69 billion dollars to operate the BWI/Thurgood Marshall and Martin State Airports, Marylands Port of Baltimore, State Highway Administration, Motor Vehicle Administration, and the Maryland Transit Administration.

Previous to Ports promotion to Deputy Secretary, he was the Assistant Secretary for Administration at the MDOT where he managed the offices of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Engineering & Procurement, Human Resources, Real Estate, Facilities Services, and International Affairs.

Before joining MDOT he served for twelve years in the Maryland General Assembly as a member of the House of Delegates where he served on the Ways and Means Committee, the Transportation Subcommittee and as the House Minority Whip.

While serving in the House of Delegates, Ports worked for the Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. During his 21-year career with the company he held various positions including supervisor of the Industrial and Commercial Gas Field Operations and was recognized by the American Gas Association for outstanding Meter Service Unit and was presented with itsnational Benchmarking Award in 1995.

Ports, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, is a former Sergeant in the Marine Corps, and also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He lives in Maryland with his wife and three children.