Cynthia L. Quarterman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cynthia L. Quarterman
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Quarterman in 2011
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| Administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration | |
| In office November 16, 2009 – October 4, 2014 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
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| Alma mater | Columbia Law School 1987, Northwestern University, 1983 |
Cynthia L. Quarterman is an American lawyer and engineer who has held important roles in the U.S. government. She worked to keep pipelines safe and manage valuable natural resources. She was the head of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration from 2009 until 2014.
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About Cynthia L. Quarterman
Early Life and Education
Cynthia Quarterman was born in Savannah, Georgia. She went to A. E. Beach High School and graduated with high honors in 1979.
She studied Industrial Engineering at Northwestern University. She earned her degree in 1983. After college, she worked as an engineer for IBM for a year.
In 1987, she earned a law degree from Columbia University School of Law. While at Columbia, she was an editor for the Columbia Journal of Environmental Law. This journal focuses on laws that protect the environment.
Her Career Journey
In 1988, Quarterman started working as a lawyer at Steptoe & Johnson LLP in Washington, D.C.. Later, she began working for the government.
From 1992 to 1995, she held different jobs at the Department of Interior. One of her roles was Deputy Director of the Minerals Management Service (MMS).
Leading the Minerals Management Service
From 1995 to 1999, Cynthia Quarterman was the Director of the Minerals Management Service (MMS). This was during the time Bill Clinton was president.
At MMS, she managed programs for natural resources found offshore. This included finding and producing oil, natural gas, and other minerals. She also collected money from these activities for the government.
She made sure companies followed environmental laws. These laws included the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Air Act. She also worked with the Coastal Zone Management Act and the Endangered Species Act.
Returning to Law and Government Service
In 1999, she went back to Steptoe & Johnson LLP as a partner. She worked on cases related to pipeline safety and natural resource management. She also advised clients on topics like oil and gas facilities.
Later, she joined the team helping President Barack Obama when he was first elected.
On August 14, 2009, President Obama nominated her to lead the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The U.S. Senate approved her nomination. She was sworn in by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. She served in this role until October 4, 2014.
Since 2014, she has been a special expert at The Atlantic Council's Global Energy Center.
Personal Life
Cynthia Quarterman is married to Pantelis Michalopoulos. He is also a partner at Steptoe & Johnson. They have a daughter named Charis, who was born in 2006. They live in Washington, D.C.
