President Trump Designates Chairmen and Acting Chairmen

January 20, 2025

Presidential Actions

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Action Summary

Designation Date: Presidential actions effective January 20, 2025.
Communications and Energy: Brendan Carr appointed as Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission; Mark Christie named as Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Regulatory and Oversight Bodies:
- Henry Kerner designated as Acting Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board.
- Andrew Ferguson appointed as Chair of the Federal Trade Commission.
- Marvin Kaplan designated as Chair of the National Labor Relations Board.
- David Wright named as Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Financial and Securities Oversight:
- Mark Uyeda designated as Acting Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
- Travis Hill appointed as Acting Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
- Kyle Hauptman named as Chair of the National Credit Union Administration Board.
Civil Rights and Equal Employment:
- Peter Kirsanow designated as Chairperson of the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
- Steven Gilchrest appointed as Vice Chairperson of the same Commission.
- Andrea Lucas designated as Acting Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Agricultural and Transportation Oversight:
- Jeffrey Hall named as Chair of the Farm Credit Administration Board.
- Patrick Fuchs appointed as Chair of the Surface Transportation Board.
- Louis E. Sola designated as Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission.

Risks & Considerations

The designation of new chairmen and acting chairmen across various federal commissions and boards could lead to shifts in regulatory priorities and enforcement strategies. This may impact industries and sectors that are relevant to Vanderbilt University, such as communications, energy, and civil rights.
Changes in leadership at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could affect regulations related to technology and digital communications, which are critical areas for research and development at Vanderbilt.
The appointment of new leadership at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the United States Commission on Civil Rights may influence policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion, which are important considerations for the university’s community and initiatives.
Adjustments in the regulatory environment for financial institutions, due to changes at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), could impact Vanderbilt’s financial operations and investment strategies.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt Law School may need to adapt its curriculum and research focus to address changes in regulatory policies and enforcement practices across various sectors.
The Owen Graduate School of Management could see shifts in its finance and business strategy programs, particularly in response to changes in financial regulations and corporate governance.
Vanderbilt’s Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion might need to monitor and respond to changes in civil rights policies and enforcement to ensure alignment with federal guidelines and best practices.
The School of Engineering may be affected by changes in technology and communications regulations, impacting research and partnerships in these fields.

Financial Impact

Changes in financial regulations could influence Vanderbilt’s investment strategies and endowment management, potentially affecting financial stability and growth.
Regulatory shifts in sectors such as energy and communications may impact funding opportunities and partnerships for research and development projects at Vanderbilt.
Adjustments in civil rights and employment policies could necessitate additional resources for compliance and training, impacting operational budgets.

Relevance Score: 3 (The designations present moderate risks involving compliance and potential shifts in regulatory focus that could impact university operations and strategies.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor the activities and policy directions of the newly designated chairpersons, particularly those related to the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Understanding their regulatory priorities could help Vanderbilt anticipate changes that may impact research funding and compliance requirements.
The Vanderbilt Law School should consider analyzing the implications of leadership changes at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. This analysis could provide insights into potential shifts in labor and employment law that may affect university policies and practices.
Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management should evaluate the potential impacts of changes in leadership at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the National Credit Union Administration Board. These changes could influence financial regulations that affect university investments and financial strategies.
The Vanderbilt School of Engineering should explore opportunities for collaboration with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Federal Maritime Commission. Engaging with these agencies could lead to research partnerships and funding opportunities in energy and transportation sectors.

Opportunities

The designation of new chairpersons presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies to engage in research and dialogue on the implications of regulatory changes. By hosting forums and discussions, Vanderbilt can position itself as a thought leader in analyzing the impact of these leadership changes on various sectors.
Vanderbilt can leverage its expertise in civil rights and social justice to engage with the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Collaborating on research and advocacy initiatives could enhance Vanderbilt’s role in promoting equity and inclusion at the national level.
The focus on transportation and infrastructure, highlighted by the Surface Transportation Board and the Federal Maritime Commission, aligns with Vanderbilt’s strengths in engineering and environmental studies. Developing interdisciplinary projects in these areas could attract funding and enhance the university’s research profile.

Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures to align with potential regulatory changes and opportunities for collaboration.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.8

Timeline for Implementation

January 20, 2025

This directive contains a single effective date with no additional deadlines specified.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

Federal Communications Commission (FCC): Brendan Carr is designated as Chairman, directing the agency’s communications regulatory oversight.
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC): Mark Christie is appointed as Chairman, impacting energy regulation and oversight.
Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB): Henry Kerner is named Acting Chairman, affecting federal human resources and merit-based systems.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Andrew Ferguson is designated as Chair, influencing consumer protection and competitive practices.
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): Marvin Kaplan is appointed as Chair, impacting labor relations and union activities.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC): David Wright is designated as Chair, affecting nuclear safety and regulatory oversight.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Mark Uyeda is named Acting Chair, impacting securities regulation and financial market oversight.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Andrea Lucas is appointed as Acting Chair, influencing equal employment and anti-discrimination policies.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): Travis Hill is designated as Acting Chairperson of the Board of Directors, affecting banking stability and deposit insurance.
National Credit Union Administration (NCUA): Kyle Hauptman is designated as Chair of the National Credit Union Administration Board, impacting credit union regulation.
United States Commission on Civil Rights: Peter Kirsanow (Chairperson) and Steven Gilchrest (Vice Chairperson) are designated, influencing civil rights oversight.
Farm Credit Administration (FCA): Jeffrey Hall is named as Chair of the Farm Credit Administration Board, affecting agricultural credit regulation.
Surface Transportation Board (STB): Patrick Fuchs is designated as Chair, impacting transportation regulation and oversight.
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC): Louis E. Sola is appointed as Chair, influencing maritime commerce and regulation.

Relevance Score: 4 (Eleven to fifteen Federal Agencies are impacted by this Presidential designation.)

Responsible Officials

Brendan Carr – Designated Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
Mark Christie – Designated Chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
Henry Kerner – Designated Acting Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board.
Andrew Ferguson – Designated Chair of the Federal Trade Commission.
Marvin Kaplan – Designated Chair of the National Labor Relations Board.
David Wright – Designated Chair of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
Mark Uyeda – Designated Acting Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Andrea Lucas – Designated Acting Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Travis Hill – Designated Acting Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
Kyle Hauptman – Designated Chair of the National Credit Union Administration Board.
Peter Kirsanow – Designated Chairperson of the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
Steven Gilchrest – Designated Vice Chairperson of the United States Commission on Civil Rights.
Jeffrey Hall – Designated Chair of the Farm Credit Administration Board, Farm Credit Administration.
Patrick Fuchs – Designated Chair of the Surface Transportation Board.
Louis E. Sola – Designated Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives affect agency heads who hold central responsibilities for the operations and policies of their respective agencies.)