Biography provided by participant
Prior to joining Baker Botts, Ken Mead was inspector general of the Department of Transportation, following nomination by President Bill Clinton and confirmation by the U.S. Senate in 1997. As inspector general, Mead was a member of the President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency. Prior to becoming inspector general, he served for 22 years with the U.S. Government Accountability Office, Congress' investigative arm, where he held the positions of deputy assistant comptroller general for policy, director of transportation and telecommunications issues, and senior attorney. On February 17, 2006, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution recognizing Meadfor his exemplary service as inspector general.
As inspector general, Mead was responsible for investigating, auditing, and reporting to the Secretary of Transportation and Congress on the effectiveness and efficiency of DOT programs and operations through audit reports and management advisories containing findings and recommendations. From the beginning of his tenure in 1997, OIG issued more than 1,000 reports, which identified more than $7 billion that could have been more effectively used.
Mead also conducted investigations into fraud, waste, and abuse and had the authority to refer suspected criminal violations to the U.S. attorney general. Under his leadership, OIG investigations resulted in over 2,500 indictments and 2,000 convictions, and more than $500 million in fines, restitutions, and recoveries.
Mead has frequently been invited to testify before committees of Congress. During his federal career, Mead testified on major transportation issues before committees of Congress on more than 230 occasions, 130 of them as inspector general. He also testified before the 9/11 Commission on aviation security and corrective actions that should be taken.
From the start of his tenure as inspector general in 1997, Mead's reports and testimonies addressed a broad range of transportation matters, including aviation safety and security; railroad, motor carrier, and pipeline safety; FAA's multibillion-dollar air traffic control modernization program and efforts to mitigate flight delays and congestion; oversight of large highway, transit, and airport projects to protect taxpayer investments and maximize use of available funds; the future structure and funding of intercity passenger rail service; and strengthening controls over the Title XI shipbuilding loan guarantee program.
Mead's reports also recommended implementation of financial management and accountability measures to ensure DOT funds are spent efficiently. This included auditing and opining on DOT's financial statements, collectively covering the department's $65 billion annual budget and the Aviation and Highway Trust Funds.
Mead received the GAO Distinguished Service Award, the Meritorious Service Award, and promotion to the rank of meritorious executive in the Senior Executive Service. He is a veteran of the U.S. Naval Submarine Service.
