Hall likely choice for FRA deputy

Public relations practitioner Heath Hall, currently a vice president in the marketing and external affairs department of non-profit Innovate Mississippi, is expected to be named Deputy Federal Railroad Administrator, a post that does not require Senate confirmation. His appointment could come as early as June 5.

Hall is known to USDOT Secretary Elaine Chao from her days with the Deputy DOT Secretary’s office and the Peace Corps, as indicated by his business biography, excerpted here:

“Heath Hall works in the marketing and external affairs department for Innovate Mississippi. He also manages Pointe Innovation magazine, a quarterly publication of Innovate Mississippi devoted to innovation-based economic development in Mississippi.

“Prior to joining Innovate Mississippi, Heath served as senior vice president of external affairs at the Mississippi Economic Council, the State Chamber of Commerce, where he managed the marketing, fundraising and public affairs departments. He served for two years (1998-1999) as executive director of Mississippians for Civil Justice Reform/STOP Lawsuit Abuse in Mississippi. In 1998 and at 28 years old, Heath was a Republican candidate for the United States Congress in Mississippi’s fourth congressional district. Heath also served as Governor Kirk Fordice’s director of public affairs. Prior to that role, Heath served as the Governor’s deputy press secretary. He also worked on Governor Fordice’s 1995 reelection campaign as the deputy director of communications.

“Heath began his public relations career as an intern with the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington, D.C., later moving into the deputy secretary’s office in the United States Department of Transportation. He also served as an intern in the White House Office of Political Affairs during the George H. W. Bush Administration. Following his position at the White House, Heath became a staff assistant to the director of the Peace Corps of the United States in Washington, D.C. Upon returning to Mississippi in 1993, he moved into the role of public relations/financial development specialist for the American Red Cross of Mississippi.”

Hall received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from The American University in Washington, D.C. in 1993.