Melissa Newton

Senior multimodal transportation policy leader spanning transit, rail, highways, ports, freight, safety, and federal infrastructure funding. Brings cybersecurity expertise across transportation and energy sectors, 20+ years in maritime regulation and oil & gas operations, and proven military, government, and corporate leadership.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Intergovernmental Affairs, Office of the Secretary at United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) (2025-10 – Present)

• Directs USDOT's intergovernmental strategy across rail, transit, highways, aviation, ports, freight, and safety programs, advancing economic growth, domestic manufacturing, and major corridor investments nationwide.
• Serves as USDOT's Intergovernmental Affairs liaison to the White House, coordinating state and local engagement strategies, prioritizing infrastructure projects, and briefing on USDOT initiatives such as the "Golden Age of Rail".
• Serves as principal liaison to governors, state DOTs, mayors, tribal and territorial leaders on federal funding, safety initiatives, and major capital projects across all USDOT modes.
• Lead coordinated stakeholder engagement and federal representation at national conferences, site visits, and corridor summits, partnering with national associations and industry groups to strengthen federal–state–local collaboration on major infrastructure investments.
• Institutionalize cross-modal coordination and communications through intermodal newsletters, standardized leadership briefings, engagement readouts, and escalation tracking tools—reducing duplication, improving response times to stakeholders.
• Expand proactive outreach nationwide, issuing timely updates on NOFOs, waivers, safety directives, emergency declarations, and regulatory actions, while accelerating responses to Governor, Mayor, and Tribal inquiries across all 50 states and territories.
• Develop coalitions with state DOTs, transit agencies, freight railroads, manufacturers, and labor to advance reauthorization priorities and major infrastructure initiatives.

Director, Government Affairs, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) at United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) (2025-02 – 2025-10)

• Led preparation for Administrator Marc Molinaro's Senate confirmation, coordinating briefing books, QFRs, mock hearings, and Member outreach to secure successful Senate Banking Committee confirmation.
• Directed FTA's Congressional and intergovernmental strategy on CIG, Lo-No, Bus & Bus Facilities, formula, and safety programs, advising leadership on reauthorization priorities and serving as primary liaison to House T&I, Senate Banking, and THUD Appropriations.
• Advanced transit reauthorization initiatives by coordinating with transit agencies, state DOTs, APTA, labor, and manufacturers on safety, workforce, Buy America, procurement reform, and NEPA policy.
• Led stakeholder engagement with transit agencies and industry groups aligning federal policy with operational needs and supporting major project delivery.
• Coordinated FTA safety, oversight, and regulatory communications, including NOFOs, guidance, and directives, aligning messaging with OST, Congress, and state and local partners.
• Advised on Buy America and supply-chain policy, working with U.S. bus manufacturers and agencies to strengthen domestic production and address propulsion technology transitions.
• Coordinated high-profile hearings, site visits, and ribbon-cuttings, strengthening federal–state–local partnerships and highlighting transit investments supporting safety, accessibility, and economic growth.

Director, Government Affairs and Advocacy at American Public Transportation Association (APTA) (2021-10 – 2025-02)

• Advocated APTA priorities on Capitol Hill for public transit and passenger rail funding under IIJA and IRA, including Buy America, cybersecurity, and transit security legislation.
• Engaged OMB, USDOT, and FTA on Buy America implementation, supply-chain challenges, and inflation impacts on transit procurement.
• Produced legislative analysis and communications to support APTA policy positions and member engagement.
• Organized all APTA advocacy campaigns and congressional fly-ins, to include APTA member trainings, advocacy briefing materials, and created the APTA Guidance for Planning Site Visits with Your Members of Congress.
• Collaborated with APTA members to draft recommendations for the Surface Transportation Authorization, addressing Buy America, safety, security, and ferry systems.

Founder and CEO at Vincere Strategies (Consultant), LLC (2021-02 – 2021-10)

• Provided government relations and regulatory consulting to maritime, oil & gas, energy, and infrastructure clients, advising the Port of Nome, Alaska on federal requirements for the congressionally authorized Arctic Deep Draft Port Project.
• Prepared congressional and stakeholder briefing materials to support project advocacy and federal engagement.

Confidential Assistant to the Assistant Administrator, Office of Water at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2019-02 – 2021-01)

• Advised EPA Office of Water leadership on major regulatory and infrastructure initiatives, including implementation of the Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), WOTUS/Section 404 permitting, WIFIA financing, and U.S.–Mexico border water infrastructure.
• Led interagency cybersecurity coordination for the water sector, drafting EPA–DOE MOAs and collaborating with Sector Specific Agencies to strengthen incident prevention, information sharing, and infrastructure protection.
• Served as senior liaison across EPA, federal agencies, and external stakeholders, coordinating briefings, communications, and cross-agency initiatives (e.g., National Drought Resiliency Partnership, Water Reuse Action Plan, Tribal TAS programs) and supporting Assistant Administrator priorities.

Legislative Analyst at International Association of Drilling Contractors (2014 – 2019)

Manager, Marine Safety & Investigations at Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry (2008 – 2014)

Lieutenant – Strategic Sealift Officer Program at US Navy Reserve (2008 – 2019)

Masters of Public Administration and Policy in School of Public Affairs – American University (2014-05), Bachelor of Science, Maritime Transportation, US Merchant Marine Academy (2008), US Coast Guard Third Mate, Unlimited Tonnage, Tankerman, PIC (2008)