Ben Kochman is the Deputy Administrator for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Kochman previously was the Director of Pipeline Safety Policy at the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA), where he led efforts to advocate for effective federal safety policy on behalf of the interstate natural gas pipeline and storage industry.

Prior to his role at INGAA, Kochman held executive level appointed positions within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) during President Trump’s first administration, including serving as PHMSA’s Director of Governmental, International, and Public Affairs. In that role, Kochman served as the lead executive representing the Agency before Congress, the media, and stakeholder groups. Kochman also served as a Senior Congressional Affairs Officer on behalf of former Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao, where he acted as a liaison with Congress for a variety of issues.

Before joining DOT, Kochman’s career included senior level positions under several members of Congress, including as Legislative Director to former U.S. Representative Kay Granger (R-TX), who was the Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee. Additionally, Kochman worked as a Senior Legislative Assistant to former U.S. Representative Scott Rigell (R-VA) and served as legislative staff in the offices of former U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA) and former U.S. Senator John Ensign (R-NV).

Kochman is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government. He grew up in New Jersey and lives with his wife and two children in Northern Virginia.