Christopher P. Bertram is the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs, and Chief Financial Officer, for the United States Department of Transportation.  As Assistant Secretary, he is responsible for the development and oversight of the Department’s more than $70 billion budget and the oversight of the financial and performance management of 12 agencies and 4 credit programs. Mr. Bertram serves as Vice Chair of the Department’s Credit Council, which oversees a credit portfolio of approximately $10 billion.  At the Department of Transportation, Mr. Bertram implemented President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and was instrumental in drafting the Department’s surface reauthorization proposal.  Mr. Bertram’s unique experience at multiple levels of government contribute to his vast expertise in transportation policy and being an acknowledged expert in the area of Federal infrastructure budgeting and finance.

Until August 2009, Mr. Bertram served as a senior professional staff member with the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  In that position, he was involved in developing legislation related to aviation, auto and highway safety, transportation security, pipelines, railroads, and fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.

Prior to joining the Commerce Committee, Mr. Bertram was the Federal Aviation Administration’s Assistant Administrator for Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer.  He has also served as Staff Director for the House of Representative’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, and in various positions at the Office of Management and Budget.

Mr. Bertram earned a Bachelor’s degree from Trinity University and a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University.