Thomas J. Barrett
Encyclopedia
Thomas J. Barrett is a former United States Coast Guard
officer and is formerly Deputy Secretary of Transportation, holding that position from 2007 until 2009. Previously, he was the Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
, holding that position from 2002 until 2004. In his most recent position, Barrett assumed the dual responsibility of serving as Deputy Secretary while continuing his duties as Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
(PHMSA).
Deputy Secretary Barrett served as the Department’s chief operating officer, responsible for the day-to-day management of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s $61.1 billion budget, 10 modal administrations, and approximately 60,000 employees.
Barrett was sworn in May 31, 2006, by then Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta as the first administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The PHMSA Administrator is the agency's Chief Executive Officer and advises the Secretary on all matters falling within PHMSA's jurisdiction. The Administrator directs the agency's national program for protecting against risks to life and property inherent in the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce and the transportation of liquid, natural gas, petroleum, and other hazardous liquids by pipeline
.
Before becoming PHMSA Administrator, Barrett was the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Prior to that, he served 35 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and attained the position of Vice Commandant. In that capacity, he served as second in command, Agency Acquisition Executive, coordinated the Coast Guard Leadership Council, and co-chaired with the Vice Chief of Naval Operations
the Navy-Coast Guard Board, an inter-service policy coordination body. He was instrumental in improving maritime security post 9/11, expanding Coast Guard support to the National Foreign Intelligence Community, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, and smoothly transitioning the Coast Guard into the new Department of Homeland Security.
Barrett earned a B.S.
in Biology
from Le Moyne College
, Syracuse, New York
and a Juris Doctor with honors from the George Washington University
. He is a graduate of the Army War College and the National Defense University
Capstone Course in National Security Strategy and Military Capabilities.
Barrett is married to the former Sheila Walker of Syracuse. They are parents of four children, Tom, a Major in the United States Army, Matt, Rebecca and Paul, a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
. Both Tom and Paul are Iraq
veterans.
United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven U.S. uniformed services. The Coast Guard is a maritime, military, multi-mission service unique among the military branches for having a maritime law enforcement mission and a federal regulatory agency...
officer and is formerly Deputy Secretary of Transportation, holding that position from 2007 until 2009. Previously, he was the Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard
The Vice Commandant serves as the second-in-command of the United States Coast Guard.Since 1929, 27 officers have served as Vice Commandant, or, as the position was referred to before 1972, Assistant Commandant. The title of the position was changed effective October 2, 1972, pursuant to P.L....
, holding that position from 2002 until 2004. In his most recent position, Barrett assumed the dual responsibility of serving as Deputy Secretary while continuing his duties as Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
The Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is an official of the Federal government of the United States serving as the chief executive officer of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration within the Department of Transportation...
(PHMSA).
Deputy Secretary Barrett served as the Department’s chief operating officer, responsible for the day-to-day management of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s $61.1 billion budget, 10 modal administrations, and approximately 60,000 employees.
Barrett was sworn in May 31, 2006, by then Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta as the first administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The PHMSA Administrator is the agency's Chief Executive Officer and advises the Secretary on all matters falling within PHMSA's jurisdiction. The Administrator directs the agency's national program for protecting against risks to life and property inherent in the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce and the transportation of liquid, natural gas, petroleum, and other hazardous liquids by pipeline
Pipeline transport
Pipeline transport is the transportation of goods through a pipe. Most commonly, liquids and gases are sent, but pneumatic tubes that transport solid capsules using compressed air are also used....
.
Before becoming PHMSA Administrator, Barrett was the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Prior to that, he served 35 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and attained the position of Vice Commandant. In that capacity, he served as second in command, Agency Acquisition Executive, coordinated the Coast Guard Leadership Council, and co-chaired with the Vice Chief of Naval Operations
Vice Chief of Naval Operations
The Vice Chief of Naval Operations is the second highest ranking officer in the United States Navy. In the event that the Chief of Naval Operations is absent or is unable to perform his duties, the VCNO assumes the duties and responsibilities of the CNO. The VCNO may also perform other duties...
the Navy-Coast Guard Board, an inter-service policy coordination body. He was instrumental in improving maritime security post 9/11, expanding Coast Guard support to the National Foreign Intelligence Community, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, and smoothly transitioning the Coast Guard into the new Department of Homeland Security.
Barrett earned a B.S.
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in Biology
Biology
Biology is a natural science concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, origin, evolution, distribution, and taxonomy. Biology is a vast subject containing many subdivisions, topics, and disciplines...
from Le Moyne College
Le Moyne College
Le Moyne College, named after Simon Le Moyne, is a private, Jesuit college enrolling over 3,500 undergraduate and graduate students. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1946, Le Moyne is the first Jesuit college to be founded as a co-educational institution...
, Syracuse, New York
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
and a Juris Doctor with honors from the George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
. He is a graduate of the Army War College and the National Defense University
National Defense University
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy. It is chartered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Navy Vice Admiral...
Capstone Course in National Security Strategy and Military Capabilities.
Barrett is married to the former Sheila Walker of Syracuse. They are parents of four children, Tom, a Major in the United States Army, Matt, Rebecca and Paul, a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps Reserve
United States Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Forces Reserve is the reserve force of the United States Marine Corps. It is the largest command in the U.S...
. Both Tom and Paul are Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
veterans.