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President Bush has a new cabinet member and the United States has a new transportation leader. On Saturday, the Senate confirmed Mary Peters' nomination as U.S. transportation secretary.

Federal highway administrator from 2001 to 2005, Peters succeeds Norman Mineta, who resigned in early July after serving as transportation secretary for more than five years. Assistant Transportation Secretary Maria Cino had served as acting U.S. transportation secretary since Mineta departed.

Peters most recently served as national director for transportation policy and consulting for engineering firm HDR Inc. She previously spent more than 15 years with the Arizona Department of Transportation, rising through the ranks to become director in 1998.

“Mary is an innovative thinker who will work with state and local leaders to confront challenges and solve problems,” President Bush said in a prepared statement.