Rodney E. Slater facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rodney Slater
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| 13th United States Secretary of Transportation | |
| In office February 14, 1997 – January 20, 2001 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Federico Peña |
| Succeeded by | Norman Mineta |
| Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration | |
| In office June 3, 1993 – February 14, 1997 |
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| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Thomas D. Larson |
| Succeeded by | Kenneth R. Wykle |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Rodney Earl Slater
February 23, 1955 Marianna, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Relations | Henry Wilkins III (father-in-law) Josetta Wilkins (mother-in-law) |
| Education | Eastern Michigan University (BA) University of Arkansas, Fayetteville (JD) |
Rodney Earl Slater (born February 23, 1955) is an American politician. He was an important leader in the United States government. From 1997 to 2001, he served as the United States Secretary of Transportation under President Bill Clinton. Before that, he was in charge of the Federal Highway Administration.
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Education and Early Career
Rodney Slater studied at Eastern Michigan University and earned his degree in 1977. Later, in 1980, he received a law degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law.
After finishing his studies, Slater began working in government. He was an assistant attorney general for the state of Arkansas in 1980. He also held several positions in Arkansas state government, appointed by Bill Clinton. These roles included being an assistant to the governor from 1983 to 1987. He also served on the Arkansas State Highway Commission from 1987 to 1993. During this time, he was also the director of government relations for Arkansas State University.
Working for the U.S. Government
When Bill Clinton became president, Rodney Slater moved to work for the U.S. government. In 1993, he became the first African-American Director of the Federal Highway Administration. This agency helps manage the nation's highways.
In 1997, President Clinton chose Slater to be the Secretary of Transportation. This is a very important job. The Secretary of Transportation oversees all kinds of travel in the U.S., including roads, railways, airports, and waterways. Rodney Slater was the second African American to hold this position.
Important Projects and Achievements
As Secretary of Transportation, Rodney Slater worked on many big projects. He was good at getting support from both major political parties in Congress. Some of his key achievements included:
- The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21). This law invested a record $200 billion into improving roads, bridges, and public transportation.
- The Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21). This law provided $46 billion to make air travel safer and more secure.
- He helped negotiate 40 "Open skies agreements" with other countries. These agreements made it easier for airlines to fly between the U.S. and those countries.
After Government Service
After leaving his government role in 2001, Rodney Slater continued to be active in many areas.
He was part of a group of investors who bought the Major League Baseball team, the Washington Nationals. This was a big step into the world of professional sports.
Slater also became a partner at a Washington, D.C. law firm called Squire Patton Boggs. There, he leads the transportation practice, working on projects related to how we travel and move goods. He also works with James Lee Witt Associates, a company that helps businesses manage risks.
He serves on the board of directors for several important organizations. These include Africare, which helps people in Africa, and The Dance Theater of Harlem. He is also the chair of the Board of Trustees for United Way, a large charity organization. Slater is also on the corporate board of Verizon, a major telecommunications company. He previously served on the board of Northwest Airlines and later Delta Air Lines after they merged.
In 2014, Slater was appointed as a special advisor to Takata Corporation. This company faced issues with airbag recalls. He helped them deal with these challenges. He also led a safety advisory panel for Toyota and worked as an independent monitor for Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
Personal Life
Rodney Slater is married to Cassandra Wilkins. Her parents, Henry Wilkins III and Josetta Wilkins, were also important state legislators in Arkansas.
See also
