There has been yet another change in the top leadership of the federal agency that regulates the trucking industry.
Today, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced Vinn White as deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. As deputy administrator, White serves as the agency’s acting administrator.
White succeeds Sue Lawless, who filled the position of acting deputy administrator in late January after then-administrator Robin Hutcheson resigned. Lawless remains with the agency, returning to her post as its executive director and chief safety officer.
Hutcheson was confirmed by the Senate as administrator in September of 2022. She replaced Meera Joshi, the original Biden-Harris Administration's choice to lead the FMCSA. Joshi left the FMCSA for a position in the office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Joshi's appointment was approved by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in October of 2021 but she was never approved by the full Senate.
White was serving as the Department of Transportation’s acting chief artificial intelligence officer before being appointed to the FMCSA post.
“It is an honor to take on this role, and I thank Secretary Buttigieg for his trust and confidence in my ability to lead the important work of FMCSA,” said White. “Our agency is focused on enhancing safety for all roadway users, and I am committed to working with safety partners across the commercial motor vehicle industry to get this work done.”
Before joining FMCSA, White was responsible for coordinating USDOT initiatives on emerging transportation technologies.
White’s appointment in 2021 marked a return to the DOT after previously serving as acting assistant secretary of transportation for policy and deputy assistant secretary in 2016.
A statement from the DOT today said, "White’s experience and knowledge in transportation is vast, spanning more than 15 years, including his tenure as a senior advisor to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy."
White earned both his Master of Arts, Justice, Law and Society and his Bachelor of Science, Law and Society from American University. He also also attended the County College of Morris in Randolph, New Jersey, where he earned his associate degree in criminal justice.