Deborah Hersman
| Deborah Hersman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 12th Chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board | |
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In office July 28, 2009 – April 25, 2014 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Mark Rosenker |
| Succeeded by | Christopher A. Hart |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 7, 1970 Edwards Air Force Base, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater |
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University George Mason University |
Deborah A.P. Hersman (born May 7, 1970) is a former board member of the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board who served as its 12th chairman. She completed two terms as chairman and was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 16, 2013, for a third term. On March 11, 2014, she announced she would join the National Safety Council as its president and CEO.
She is the eldest daughter of retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Walter C Hersman, who served as a fighter pilot and test pilot. She has two sisters. She was born in California and lived with her family in places such as Amman, Jordan, Madrid, Spain, as well as Woodbridge, England and numerous states. She attended 4 different high schools. By the time she turned 17, the Hersmans had settled in Northern Virginia where she attended Chantilly High School. She was a student pilot and soloed but did not complete her training. She earned a commercial driver license (with passenger, school bus, and air brake endorsements) and has a motorcycle endorsement.
In 1992, she earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and International Studies from Virginia Tech. In 2000, she earned an M.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from George Mason University. Hersman is married to her high school sweetheart and former Virginia Tech classmate, Niel Plummer. They have three sons.
She began her government career on the staff of West Virginia Congressman Bob Wise as an unpaid intern during the summer of her sophomore year at Virginia Tech. She rose from intern to office manager and then to senior legislative aide. While working for Wise, Hersman dealt with a series of coal train derailments near Point Pleasant, West Virginia. Wise said, "She has a backbone. Don't ever think that you are ever going to push her over."
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