Hall named FRA's deputy administrator

Heath Hall has been named deputy administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), agency spokesman Marc Willis confirmed yesterday. U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao appointed him to the post and he was sworn in on June 23.

Hall previously served as president of Strategic Marketing Group LLC, a full-service public relations firm. Before that, he worked for nine years as vice president of external affairs and marketing at the Mississippi Technology Alliance, where he was responsible for fundraising, marketing and public relations.

During his time at the alliance, Hall started and served as publisher of Pointe Innovation magazine, a quarterly publication devoted to technology in Mississippi.

In 1998, Hall ran for Congress to represent Mississippi's 4th Congressional District. He also served as director of public affairs for former Mississippi Gov. Kirk Fordice.

While Hall has been approved to serve as deputy administrator, President Donald Trump's administration has yet to name an administrator for the FRA.