CMTS Chair
Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary
Sean P Duffy serves as the 20th United States Secretary of Transportation. From Hayward, Wisconsin, Duffy earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from St. Mary's College of Maryland and a Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in 1999. Before entering politics, he gained national recognition as a professional lumberjack athlete, competing in world championships, and appeared on MTV's "The Real World: Boston" and "Road Rules: All Stars,” where he met the love of his life, Rachel Campos.
Duffy's legal career began as a special prosecutor in Ashland County, Wisconsin, where he was later appointed district attorney in 2002, serving until 2010. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010, he represented Wisconsin's Northwoods in the 7th congressional district until 2019, focusing on financial services and economic policy as a member of the House Financial Services Committee. His passion was bringing prosperity to rural America. As the lead sponsor of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act (PROMESA), Sean Duffy addressed the national ramifications of Puerto Rico's unprecedented debt crisis and ensured that public services for residents could continue. After resigning from Congress to prioritize his family amid health challenges with his ninth child, he co-hosted "The Bottom Line" on Fox Business Network starting in 2023.
As Secretary, Duffy has prioritized infrastructure investments, efficiency, safety, and the speedy delivery of projects. Since July 9, 2025, he has additionally served as acting administrator of NASA. A devoted Catholic and family man, Duffy is married to Rachel Campos-Duffy, a fellow television personality, and they have nine children.
Coordinating Board Chair
Stephen M. Carmel, Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the U.S. Department of Transportation
Stephen M. Carmel is the Administrator of the Maritime Administration (MARAD) at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Before joining MARAD, Mr. Carmel was the President of US Marine Management, LLC (USMMI). US Marine Management was formally a division of Maersk Line Limited, where, prior to the spin-off to Maritime Partners, Mr. Carmel was Senior Vice President responsible for the USMMI business unit. USMMI operates a variety of ship types, including tankers, Roll-on / Roll-off vessels, and military special- purpose ships. Prior to this position, Mr. Carmel headed technical operations for MLL.
He previously held positions in operations and finance for U.S. Marine Management, Inc. and Maersk Line, Limited. Mr. Carmel began his career sailing as a deck officer and Master primarily on tankers.
Mr. Carmel graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1979. He also holds an M.A. in Economics and an M.B.A. in International Finance from Old Dominion University and is PhD/ABD in International Studies with an emphasis in International Political Economy and second emphasis in Conflict. He is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) and is also certified in Financial Management (CFM). He is also a graduate of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business Advanced Management Program. Steve’s research and publishing interests are in maritime security, globalization, trade and conflict, and arctic regional issues.
Mr. Carmel recently rotated off a position with the Naval Studies Board of the National Academies of Sciences. He is a former member of the Chief of Naval Operations Executive Panel, the Marine Studies Board of the National Academies of Sciences, and the NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel, and he was a 2009 Senior Fellow at the Homeland Security Policy Institute at The George Washington University. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Hampton Roads Global Affairs Council and is a past member of the Board of Visitors at the US Merchant Marine Academy.
Steve was awarded the Meritorious Public Service Award by the Chief of Naval Operations in 2017.
Steve, his wife Alison, and their son John live in Norfolk, Virginia.