The Senate Intelligence Committee confirmed of Representative John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) to be the nation’s top intelligence official on Tuesday. Today, the Senate Intelligence Panel endorsed Ratcliffe as director of National Intelligence.

Senator Marco Rubio, (R-Fla.) and the acting chairman of the Intelligence Committee, said that he was “confident” that Mr. Ratcliffe would lead the agencies “with integrity” and stressed the importance of having a permanent director approved by the Senate in office.

The panel approved Ratcliffe in a straight party-line vote, 8 to 7, reported Sen. Mark Warner (R-VA) and three-time Wash100 Award receipient. Since the former director, Dan Coats stepped down, Ratcliffe would be the first permanent director since Aug. 2019. The nomination must still be confirmed by the Senate.

Ratcliffe would replace acting director, Richard Grenell, who, in his time with National Intelligence, made efforts to declassify sensitive records and reorganize the office. He noted during his confirmation that he would act in a nonpartisan manner in his new appointment, stating that he would “deliver the unvarnished truth” to the president and Congress, unshaded by political motives.

Senator Charles Grassley, (R-Iowa), urged Ratcliffe to follow Grenell’s lead when he assumed office. “Acting Director Grenell is a breath of fresh air,” Grassley said. “Mr. Ratcliffe has some big shoes to fill, that’s for sure.”

In the new role, Ratcliffe will face the challenge to collect intelligence on China’s handling of the COVID-19 outbreak that began within the country’s borders and has impacted the global health and economy. The Trump administration has urged intelligence agencies to investigate the origin of the virus, but they have yet to reach any definitive conclusions.

“In a time when the threats to our nation are many and varied, it is critical to have a Senate-confirmed D.N.I. ensuring the wide array of intelligence agencies are sharing information across lines, coordinating capabilities, and are all working in the furtherance of the same strategic aim of the 21st century,” Rubio added.

Siemens Mobility has appointed Yves Desjardins-Siciliano as Canadian CEO for Siemens Mobility Limited to build Siemens the company’s presence in Canada and lead its team in the provision of transportation solutions to Canadian service providers, the company announced on Thursday.

“With deep industry knowledge and demonstrated customer focus, Yves is well-positioned to grow Siemens Mobility in Canada. He is a visionary executive who understands how we can help Canadian cities and transportation operators transform their operations to meet the needs of tomorrow,” stated Marc Buncher, CEO of Siemens Mobility in North America. “I am excited to see how he will lead our Canadian team into a new era.”

Desjardins-Siciliano, former president and CEO of VIA Rail Canada, was responsible for managing over 3,300 employees moving nearly five million passengers per year. In the role, he led growth transformation, increased deficits and limited capital investments. He initially joined VIA Rail as chief corporate and legal officer.

In his previous role as chief corporate and legal officer, Desjardins-Siciliano supervised the corporation’s legal matters, including all litigation related to VIA’s operations. He managed all aspects of Board affairs and was actively involved in all matters of Corporate Governance.

With the organization, he was also responsible for Media and Community Relations and was a key player in terms of promoting the company’s reputation and brand, and engaging Canadians in a dialogue about their national passenger rail service. Desjardins-Siciliano introduced innovative and aggressive social media strategy that has received recognition in Canada and abroad.

He served as vice president of Law and Business Development at ISM Information Systems Management. Desjardins-Siciliano developed the contractual framework required for both customers and suppliers, for the first national outsourcing service in Canada and led negotiations of intellectual property rights with international owners.

With the Canadian Government, Desjardins-Siciliano managed the Minister’s political staff. He was Principal political advisor to the Minister, where he  supervised the implementation of ministerial policy direction and political oversight of the federal government presence in the greater Montreal region.

As senior vice president of Law, Corporate Development & Secretary at Bell Mobility, Desjardins-Siciliano added management of Marketing Communications and Information Technology units. He has also acted as company spokesperson on corporate strategy, both internally and externally.

Desjardins-Siciliano has served in various senior management systems at IBM Canada, where he promoted Legal, Marketing and Finance functions. Throughout his tenure, he acquired significant skills in people, sales and financial management and executed mandates in all areas leading to executive appointment and assignment to founding executive team of subsidiary, ISM Information Systems Management.

“I am delighted to join the Siemens Mobility team at a time when Canada’s public transportation infrastructure is about to undergo major modernization. I believe Siemens Mobility is best positioned to provide world-class, efficient, reliable and sustainable solutions to operators and partners, that enhance the passenger experience, across the country,” says Desjardins-Siciliano.

About Siemens Mobility

Siemens Mobility is a separately managed company of Siemens AG. As a leader in transport solutions for more than 160 years, Siemens Mobility is constantly innovating its portfolio in its core areas of rolling stock, rail automation and electrification, turnkey systems, intelligent traffic systems as well as related services.

With digitalization, Siemens Mobility is enabling mobility operators worldwide to make infrastructure intelligent, increase value sustainably over the entire lifecycle, enhance passenger experience and guarantee availability. In fiscal year 2019, which ended on September 30, 2019, the former Siemens Mobility Division posted revenue of €8.9 billion and had around 36,800 employees worldwide.