Jul 18, 2005 9:21 AM, from staff and wire reports

Dr Jeffrey W Runge

Dr Jeffrey W Runge will be leaving his post as administrator of the Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to become the Department of Homeland Security’s new chief medical officer.

In his new post, Runge will coordinate Homeland’s response to biological and other catastrophic attacks. He departs the DOT after four years heading the nation’s highway safety agency. During his tenure, Runge helped DOT achieve the lowest highway fatality rate and the highest safety belt usage rate in United States history.

Mary E Peters is stepping down after nearly four years as administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to return home to her family in Phoenix AZ. She resigned July 13, effective the end of July. Deputy Administrator Rick Capka will serve as acting administrator until an administrator is selected.