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Last week, President Bush announced his intent to nominate Maria Cino as deputy transportation secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Kirk Van Tine has been serving as acting deputy transportation secretary since early 2004.

Cino serves as assistant secretary and director general of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s United States and Foreign Commercial Service. She previously served as the Republican National Committee’s deputy chairman for political and congressional relations, and Bush’s national political director.

Cino also held stints as a public policy and government affairs consultant for law firm Wiley, Rein & Fielding, executive director and chief operating officer of the National Republican Congressional Committee, and chief of staff for former U.S. Rep. Bill Paxon (R-N.Y.).

Association of American Railroads officials praised the nomination in a prepared statement, calling Cino a “veteran policy organizer.”

“Ms. Cino’s years of service in top management and congressional affairs positions provide her with an excellent background to make a unique contribution to the department,” officials said.