Peters, Mary Elizabeth, 1948-

Mary E. Peters (born December 4, 1948) is an American political appointee. She served as the United States Secretary of Transportation under President George W. Bush from 2006 to 2009. She was the second woman to hold the position after Elizabeth Dole.

Born in Peoria, Arizona and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, she received her bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix and went to a three week seminar at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. Peters joined the Arizona Department of Transportation in 1985, working her way up through the ranks to serve as contract administrator, deputy director for administration and deputy director before being appointed director by Governor Jane Dee Hull in 1998. While in office, she was recognized as the Most Influential Person in Arizona Transportation by the Arizona Business Journal. In 2001, she served as administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, leading efforts to improve safety and security, reduce congestion, streamline environmental review processes and enhance mobility on America's roads and bridges. From 2005 to 2006, Mary was a senior vice president and national director for transportation policy and consulting for HDR, Inc., a transportation engineering firm.

In September 2006, President George W. Bush nominated Peters to become Secretary of Transportation. She assumed office that same month. She resigned the post of Secretary of Transportation in anticipation of the in-coming Obama administration. While she served as Secretary, a rule was passed stating that dogs, cats, miniature horses, pigs as well as monkeys could be considered emotional support animals, and therefore could be taken by commercial airlines in the cabin. She has served on HDR’s Board of Directors since 2009.