Meet Chris
Chris Bertram is a founding Partner of B + S Strategies, a Washington, D.C. based public policy consulting firm. Recognized as one of the foremost transportation policy and financial experts in Washington, Chris has held senior positions in the United States House of Representatives, United States Senate, and the Executive Branch. His ability to work with Members of Congress and staff from both sides of the aisle and in both chambers, as well as the Administration have led to unprecedented legislative success.
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Prior to founding B + S Strategies, Chris was the Staff Director for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the United States House of Representatives. During his tenure, Bertram served as the Chairman’s Senior Staffer for all legislative activity within the Transportation and Infrastructure’s jurisdiction. The Committee’s legislative accomplishments include the enactment of the FAST Act, the longest surface transportation bill in 17 years; the reauthorizations of AMTRAK and the Surface Transportation Board; WRRDA, the first water resources authorization legislation since 2007, and the development of the most transformative Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) bill in almost 60 years.
Prior to the Chairman’s selection of Chris as Staff Director, Bertram served as the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and the Chief Financial Officer for the United States Department of Transportation; a position to which he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. As Assistant Secretary, Chris was responsible for overseeing the Department’s budget, which totals almost 70 billion per year. Bertram testified over a dozen times before Congress, and served as liaison for financial issues with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget and the Congress. Bertram also served as a member of the Northeast Corridor Commission, and was the recipient of the Secretary’s Gold Medal – the Department’s highest award.
Before confirmation as Assistant Secretary, Chris was a senior professional staff member with the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. In that position, he was involved in developing legislation related to aviation, auto and highway safety, transportation security, pipelines, railroads, and fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.
During his career, Chris also held the position of the Federal Aviation Administration's Assistant Administrator for Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer. In that position he was responsible for the management and oversight of the agency’s $13 billion budget and 50,000 employees.
In addition, Chris served as Staff Director for the House of Representative’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. During that time, he drafted major legislation including the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21), the Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR 21) and the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999.
Early in his career Chris served in various positions at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, specializing in aviation, highways, transit, and Coast Guard programs. He was twice awarded professional achievement awards. He also was a budget and program analyst for the United States Department of Transportation.
Chris received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He also earned his Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University. Chris is married to Catherine Bertram, and they have two children; Paul and Anne.
Prior to the Chairman’s selection of Chris as Staff Director, Bertram served as the Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and the Chief Financial Officer for the United States Department of Transportation; a position to which he was unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate. As Assistant Secretary, Chris was responsible for overseeing the Department’s budget, which totals almost 70 billion per year. Bertram testified over a dozen times before Congress, and served as liaison for financial issues with the White House’s Office of Management and Budget and the Congress. Bertram also served as a member of the Northeast Corridor Commission, and was the recipient of the Secretary’s Gold Medal – the Department’s highest award.
Before confirmation as Assistant Secretary, Chris was a senior professional staff member with the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. In that position, he was involved in developing legislation related to aviation, auto and highway safety, transportation security, pipelines, railroads, and fuel efficiency standards for automobiles.
During his career, Chris also held the position of the Federal Aviation Administration's Assistant Administrator for Financial Services and Chief Financial Officer. In that position he was responsible for the management and oversight of the agency’s $13 billion budget and 50,000 employees.
In addition, Chris served as Staff Director for the House of Representative’s Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. During that time, he drafted major legislation including the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA 21), the Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR 21) and the Motor Carrier Safety Improvement Act of 1999.
Early in his career Chris served in various positions at the White House’s Office of Management and Budget, specializing in aviation, highways, transit, and Coast Guard programs. He was twice awarded professional achievement awards. He also was a budget and program analyst for the United States Department of Transportation.
Chris received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. He also earned his Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University. Chris is married to Catherine Bertram, and they have two children; Paul and Anne.