Read Van de Water, current Chairman of the National Mediation Board effective July 1, 2008, has served as a Member of the Board since 2003, and previously as Chairman from July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006. Ms. Van de Water was sworn in as a Board Member on December 11, 2003, after being nominated by President George W. Bush in September, and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate on December 9, 2003.

Ms. Van de Water served from 2001-2003 as the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Previously she served as the legislative counsel for international trade and investment with The Business Roundtable and as legislative counsel and director of government affairs for Northwest Airlines. She also was employed on Capitol Hill as an appropriations associate and legislative assistant.

A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Ms. Van de Water graduated from the University of the South (Sewanee) in 1986. She received a master's degree from The George Washington University and her J.D. from The Georgetown University Law Center.

Ms. Van de Water is married to Mark Van de Water and they have three children. They reside in Warrenton, Virginia.