Anne Ferro to step down from FMCSA, lead AAMVA

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Administrator Anne Ferro will step down from the federal agency to become president and CEO of the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA).

Ferro will assume her new position on Aug. 25.

“Anne Ferro’s extensive leadership experience, stellar record of advancing motor vehicle safety and enthusiasm for public service make her the ideal choice to lead AAMVA into the future,” said AAMVA Chair Jennifer Cohan. “Anne is a former motor vehicle administrator herself and she brings to the position a keen understanding of the top issues on our agenda and what it will require to accomplish them.”

Appointed by President Obama in 2009 to lead FMCSA, Ferro is credited with raising the bar for commercial motor carrier safety across the country. Under her leadership, FMCSA has implemented key measures, such as limiting the risk of tired truck drivers behind the wheel and prohibiting commercial drivers from texting or talking on hand-held mobile devices while driving. Ferro has strengthened the agency’s partnerships with state and local governments to leverage aggressive, data-driven enforcement leading to the most dramatic reduction of industry violation rates in over a decade.

“It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve in President Obama’s administration with the vital mission of saving lives on America’s roadways,” said Ferro.

“The opportunity to become AAMVA’s president and CEO is another personal dream come true and I am thrilled to begin working alongside the chief motor vehicle and enforcement officials who deliver safety, service and security to drivers and vehicle owners across North America.”

As administrator, Ferro worked to change the compensation model for over-the-road truck and motor coach drivers who are paid by the mile or load, a model that puts extra economic pressure on drivers to jeopardize safety by violating hours-of-service limits or speeding.

Information technology investments made during her tenure also paid dividends, making it harder for unsafe motor carriers and drivers to skirt safety requirements and easier for consumers to choose a safe truck or bus company.

Ferro’s career in public service and trade association leadership has spanned more than 30 years. Prior to her appointment to FMCSA, she led the Maryland Motor Truck Association as its president and chief executive officer from 2003 to 2009 and served as the state of Maryland’s motor vehicle associate administrator and administrator from 1992 to 2003.