Thomas J. Barrett

Thomas J. Barrett (born January 15, 1947) is a former United States Coast Guard officer and former Deputy Secretary of Transportation from 2007 until 2009.

Barrett earned a B.S. in Biology from Le Moyne College, Syracuse, New York and a Juris Doctor with honors from the George Washington University. He graduated from Army War College and the National Defense University Capstone Course in National Security Strategy and Military Capabilities.

He served 35 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and held the position of Vice Commandant of the United States Coast Guard from 2002 until 2004. In that capacity, he served as second in command, Agency Acquisition Executive, coordinated the Coast Guard Leadership Council, and co-chaired with the Vice Chief of Naval Operations the Navy-Coast Guard Board, an inter-service policy coordination body. He was instrumental in improving maritime security post 9/11, expanding Coast Guard support to the National Foreign Intelligence Community, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, and smoothly transitioning the Coast Guard into the new Department of Homeland Security. Barrett was the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies.

On May 31, 2006 Barrett was sworn in by then Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta as the first permanent administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

From 2007 to 2009 Barrett served as Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, responsible for its day-to-day management, the $61.1 billion budget, 10 modal administrations, and approximately 60,000 employees while continuing his duties as PHMSA administrator.

Barrett is married to the former Sheila Walker of Syracuse, New York. They are parents of four children, Tom, a Major in the United States Army and Iraq veteran, Matt, Rebecca and Paul, a Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, also Iraq veteran.