Mary Peters

Mary Peters is an American public servant who served as the fifteenth United States Secretary of Transportation from September 2006 to January 2009, during the administration of President George W. Bush. Prior to her cabinet appointment she held senior positions in state and federal transportation agencies, including director of the Arizona Department of Transportation and administrator of the Federal Highway Administration. Peters’ career has focused on highway planning, infrastructure financing, and public‑private partnerships for road maintenance and construction.

Early life and career

Mary Elizabeth Peters was born on December 4, 1948, in Peoria, Arizona. When she was six years old her parents divorced; her father subsequently raised her and her three siblings in Phoenix. Growing up in a family that valued resilience and adaptability likely influenced her later professional choices. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of Phoenix, an institution known for its emphasis on practical skills and flexible learning environments. After completing her undergraduate studies, Peters attended a three‑week seminar at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, which provided exposure to public policy analysis and executive decision‑making.

Peters began her public service career with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) in 1985. Over the next decade she advanced through various roles within the agency, gaining experience in project management, budgeting, and statewide transportation planning. Her leadership at the state level culminated in her appointment as ADOT director by Governor Jane Dee Hull in 1998, a position that placed her at the helm of Arizona’s highway system during a period of growth and modernization.

Her success at the state level led to a move to Washington, D.C., when President Bush took office in 2001. There, Peters served as administrator of the Federal Highway Administration until 2005, overseeing national highway policy and program implementation. In that capacity she coordinated federal funding allocations, managed nationwide infrastructure projects, and worked closely with state departments to align federal objectives with local needs.

During her time in federal service speculation arose that Peters might pursue elected office. In 2005 she was mentioned as a potential candidate for governor of Arizona in the 2006 election; she publicly noted that eligibility concerns stemming from her residence in Virginia would distract from campaign issues. A similar discussion appeared in 2010, but Peters instead co‑chaired Governor Jan Brewer’s re‑election campaign alongside former state attorney general Grant Woods. In addition to her government roles, Peters has worked as a transportation consultant for national engineering and planning organizations, applying her experience to advisory projects across the country.

Peters married Terry Peters, a marine, at age 17. The couple had three children together. In 2013, Terry was convicted of sexually abusing a seven‑year‑old girl and was sentenced to fourteen years in prison.

Cabinet tenure

On September 5, 2006 President Bush nominated Mary Peters to replace Norman Mineta as Secretary of Transportation. The United States Senate confirmed her appointment on September 29, 2006. Shortly after assuming office she was named Co‑Vice Chairwoman of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission, a body tasked with examining long‑term transportation funding strategies for the nation’s highways, bridges, and transit systems.

During her tenure Peters advocated for increased use of private sector involvement in highway financing. She promoted leasing arrangements that would allow private companies to manage and maintain roads and interstates, coupled with user fees such as tolls, as alternatives to traditional tax‑based funding. In a public statement she warned that the National Highway System could face financial shortfalls by the end of the 2000s without significant changes in revenue generation; she suggested that states consider toll roads leased to private corporations rather than raising taxes.

Peters also addressed federal funding challenges for state transportation projects. On September 5, 2008 she held a press conference announcing reductions in Highway Trust Fund payments to states, including Arizona, due to declining fuel tax collections at the federal level. The announcement highlighted the need for new revenue mechanisms to sustain infrastructure maintenance and expansion.

While Peters was Secretary, the Department of Transportation adopted a rule expanding the definition of emotional support animals on commercial airlines. Under the regulation, dogs, cats, miniature horses, pigs, and monkeys could be considered emotional support animals and thus permitted in cabin cabins under certain conditions.

Peters stepped down from her cabinet position ahead of the incoming administration, allowing for a smooth transition. She was succeeded by Ray LaHood, who became the sixteenth Secretary of Transportation on January 22, 2009.

Legacy

Mary Peters’ service as Secretary of Transportation is noted for its emphasis on exploring alternative financing models for national infrastructure. Her support for public‑private partnerships and tolling mechanisms reflected a broader trend during the Bush administration toward diversified funding sources for highways and bridges. The policy discussions she helped initiate regarding the sustainability of the National Highway System remain relevant to contemporary debates over transportation finance.

Peters’ leadership at both state and federal levels contributed to ongoing efforts to modernize highway management practices. Her role in expanding the definition of emotional support animals on airlines also demonstrated a willingness to adapt regulatory frameworks to evolving societal needs.

Beyond her cabinet work, Peters has continued to influence transportation policy through consulting engagements with engineering and planning organizations. Her career trajectory—from state director to federal administrator and ultimately cabinet secretary—illustrates a sustained commitment to improving the United States’ transportation infrastructure across multiple levels of government.