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Karen Jean Hedlund | |
|---|---|
 Karen Hedlund in 2015 | |
| Member of theSurface Transportation Board | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2022 | |
| President | Joe Biden Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Ann Begeman |
| Personal details | |
| Education | Harvard University (BA) Georgetown University(JD) |
Karen Jean Hedlund is an American attorney and governmental advisor who has served as a member of theSurface Transportation Board since January 2022.
Hedlund has aBachelor of Arts fromHarvard University and aJuris Doctor from theGeorgetown University Law Center.[1]
Hedlund has an extensive background in overseeing infrastructure projects across various fields in the United States; she was a legal advisor at different levels of government. She served as Chief Counsel in both theFederal Highway Administration andFederal Railroad Administration while also being the Deputy Administrator at the latter.
Hedlund was a partner at Nossaman LLP, specializing in public-private partnerships as they affect the government.
Currently, Hedlund is involved with the Northeast Corridor Gateway Program and a proposed rail project that connects cities in thePacific Northwest.
On April 28, 2021, PresidentJoe Biden nominated Hedlund to be a member of the Surface Transportation Board.[2] Hearings were held before theSenate Commerce Committee on the nomination on June 24, 2021. The committee favorably her nomination to the Senate floor on August 4, 2021. A hold was placed on her nomination by SenatorMike Lee until the Surface Transportation Board approved a railway project he supported in theUinta Basin, which Lee apparently expected Hedlund to oppose.[3][4] The Board approved the project on December 15, 2021, and Hedlund was confirmed by the entire Senate on December 16, 2021, viavoice vote.[3][5]
Hedlund assumed office on January 3, 2022.[6]
Hedlund currently lives inEdwards, Colorado.[citation needed]