WASHINGTON, DC, June 12, 2008 - Paul Feenstra has been named Vice President of Government Affairs for the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, the organization announced today. Feenstra was most recently the Director of Governmental, International and Public Affairs at the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation. He also served as policy assistant to U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters on surface transportation issues.

"ITS America is very proud to welcome Paul as our Vice President of Government Affairs," said ITS America President and CEO Scott F. Belcher. "I know that the wealth of experience Paul brings to this position will take our advocacy on behalf of the ITS industry to the next level as we face transportation reauthorization."

In addition to serving in a leadership role at RITA, the agency responsible for managing the Federal ITS program and coordinating $1 billion in research and technology initiatives, Feenstra represented the agency to Congress and was responsible for legislative development and outreach in areas including transportation reauthorization and the annual appropriations process.

Feenstra's career also includes serving as Communications Director for U.S. Congressman John Peterson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, as Deputy Press Secretary for U.S. Senator Rick Santorum, and with several Congressional and Presidential campaigns.

Feenstra holds a Masters degree in International Commerce and Policy from George Mason University and a Bachelors degree in Finance and Business Management from the Pennsylvania State University. He grew up in Taiwan, where he spent 15 years, and enjoys backpacking and traveling.