While number two at DOT, Burnley played a key role in negotiating the sale of Conrail, enabling the transfer of the Washington airports to a regional authority, and helped to assemble an ATC work force in the wake of the 1981 PATCO strike.

He also set up policies to encourage greater private-sector participation in meeting transportation needs, and supported Coast Guard efforts to upgrade equipment and facilities.

[4] As to Eastern Airlines, the review determined that the acrimonious relationships between the company and its unions increased the risk that safety could be jeopardized.

Burnley appointed former Secretary of Labor Bill Brock to "try to build the lines of communication and cooperation inside the company that are essential to safety."

[4] Prior to his years with the USDOT, Burnley served as associate deputy attorney general for the United States Department of Justice from 1982 to 1983 and as director of the VISTA Program from 1981 to 1982.

Burnley is a partner at Venable LLP in Washington, D.C. His practice is focused on government relations and regulatory and legislative affairs with a concentration in transportation matters.