Graves says he will remain trucking group CEO.

Former Kansas Gov. Bill Graves, whom a published report pegged as a contender to be U.S. Secretary of Transportation, has said he's not interested in the transportation post. Graves, now the American Trucking Associations' president and CEO, has told the trucking group's board he will continue in his ATA job.

Graves, who has headed ATA since 2003, signed a five-year extension of his contract in February. After Norman Mineta said in June he would be resigning as DOT Secretary, effective July 7, a Reuters report said Graves had "emerged as a top candidate" to succeed Mineta. The July 7 story cited "government and industry sources."

But in a July 12 statement, Graves told the ATA board, "I enthusiastically stand by the commitment I made to you in February and look forward to continuing my leadership role with the American Trucking Associations."

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Graves said, "While I am flattered to be included in any list the White House may be considering for this important position, I want to assure you that I am very pleased and happy serving as your president and CEO.

Other rumored candidates for the DOT job include: DOT Acting Secretary Maria Cino; Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Michael P. Jackson, who is a former deputy secretary at DOT; Labor Secretary Elaine Chao, also a former number-two DOT official; DOT Under Secretary for Policy Jeffrey Shane; Federal Aviation Administration chief Marion Blakey; and Mary Peters, former head of the Federal Highway Administration and now a senior vice president with HDR.

(Photo above courtesy of American Trucking Associations)