Deborah Hersman, the National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman dubbed by some insiders as the “crash babe” for her stylish appearance at press conferences like the ones following the fatal Metrorail collision in 2009, is on the list of those President Obama is considering as his next transportation secretary, according to sources.

With a savvy eye for communications and investigations, Hersman has pushed herself onto a list that was led by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa until he recently withdrew his name.