NTSB's Hersman fills sr. management positions
Dr. Mayer named managing director, Lewis director of government affairs.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman filled two key senior management positions, naming Dr. David L. Mayer managing director and Nancy Lewis director of government affairs.
Dr. Mayer, who has been deputy managing director since January 2005, began his career at the NTSB in 1991 in the office of research and engineering, where he was responsible for transportation safety databases and the design and management of safety studies. In 1996 he moved to the office of aviation safety and also served as deputy chief and acting chief of the human performance division before moving to the managing director's office in 2001.
Meanwhile, Lewis will be responsible for maintaining the agency's relationship with the U.S. Congress and agencies of the federal government. Lewis came to the NTSB in April 2005 as the special assistant to then board member Hersman.
Before joining the NTSB, she worked in the office of general counsel for the Transportation Security Administration and for 13 years before that in the office of chief counsel at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). She was also detailed for a year by FRA to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
More Bus

Frontrunner Bus Group Expands with New Massachusetts Headquarters
The significantly larger facility will provide the infrastructure needed to support the company’s growing workforce, advanced technologies, and expanding product line.
Read More →
Joshua Schank on Transportation Innovation, Risk, and the Future of Mobility
In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank discusses lessons from launching LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation, the challenges of advancing new mobility technologies, and much more.
Read More →
Reinventing Fleet Maintenance with Real-time Visibility and AI
Transit leaders need to know what needs fixing, where to look, who is responsible, when work is completed, and what it costs without having to chase information across disconnected systems.
Read More →
SamTrans Sets Priorities for Potential Connect Bay Area Revenue
The board-approved framework allocates future funding to maintaining service, rider improvements, equity initiatives, and infrastructure repairs.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →
Photo Highlights from APTA's 2026 Mobility Conference
The photo gallery captures scenes from the conference, including the International Bus Roadeo, exhibit hall activities, the Bus Showcase, and much more.
Read More →
Chicago's NITA Act Moves Into Next Phase as Service Improvements Begin
Rider-focused improvements will begin rolling out across the system immediately as CTA, Metra, and Pace increase service this summer in the six-county region.
Read More →
Philadelphia's SEPTA Approves Annual Transit Service Plan
Between 2021 and 2024, SEPTA held more than 200 public meetings — including 144 in-person sessions — throughout the SEPTA service region.
Read More →A True Low-Floor Minibus Design Delivers Better Accessibility and Efficiency for Everyone
As transit demands evolve, so should your fleet. Download the whitepaper to see how the Low-Floor Frontrunner Minibus compares to traditional options.
Read More →
WMATA Debuts 'Fares Pay for Service' Awareness Campaign
The campaign was highlighted during a media event at the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center in Silver Spring, where WMATA’s GM/CEO Randy Clarke joined Metro Transit Police officers, WMATA management team, board members, and staff to expand fare enforcement and customer education efforts on Metro Bus routes throughout the region.
Read More →