Several more trucking-related organizations have thrown their support behind President Donald Trump's nominee to run the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Tuesday, March 25, announced its "full support" for the nomination of Derek Barrs to serve as administrator of the FMCSA. Barrs' nomination was announced earlier this week. Also supporting Barrs' nomination are the Truckload Carriers Association and the Florida Trucking Association.
In a statement on its website, the CVSA said Barrs’ commitment to commercial motor vehicle safety spans two decades, serving in various law enforcement capacities for the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Highway Patrol. Most recently, he served as associate vice president at HNTB, a transportation infrastructure firm.
“On behalf of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, which represents the 13,000 commercial motor vehicle safety inspectors throughout North America, I want to congratulate Mr. Barrs on his nomination to serve as FMCSA administrator,” said CVSA Executive Director Collin Mooney, who provided a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy in February recommending Barrs for the administrator role.
Barrs was an active member of CVSA, serving as the Florida Highway Patrol’s lead agency representative within the alliance and as chair of CVSA’s Enforcement and Industry Modernization Committee, where he led efforts to identify technological advancements that could be leveraged to improve commercial motor vehicle safety.
After retiring from law enforcement as chief of the Florida Highway Patrol in 2020, Barrs continued to serve in CVSA leadership as vice president, then president of its associate (industry) members.
In addition to his leadership within the alliance, Barrs also serves on the American Trucking Associations’ Law Enforcement Advisory Board.
“Mr. Barrs’ long career and extensive leadership in commercial motor vehicle enforcement and industry equips him with a unique perspective on issues impacting transportation safety and positions him as an exceptionally qualified candidate to lead FMCSA,” added Mooney.
“Under Mr. Barrs’ leadership, we will continue our long-standing history of fostering a collaborative and cooperative relationship between CVSA and FMCSA. We look forward to working with Mr. Barrs and all the dedicated people at FMCSA to continue to improve safety on our nation’s roadways and, ultimately, to save lives.”
The Truckload Carriers Association said Barrs has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to strengthening collaboration between the trucking industry and law enforcement.
“TCA, along with safety professionals across the industry, has been eagerly anticipating the selection of the next FMCSA Administrator,” said Dave Heller, senior vice president of Safety and Government Affairs at TCA. “With Barrs’ extensive experience and unwavering dedication to improving highway safety, we look forward to working with him on pressing issues such as truck parking, cargo theft prevention, and the integration of emerging safety technologies.”
“TCA welcomes Derek Barrs’ nomination and is excited to collaborate with him in his new role,” added Jim Ward, president of TCA. “His deep understanding of the trucking industry’s safety priorities and proven ability to foster partnerships between motor carriers and public safety officials make him exceptionally qualified to lead FMCSA in addressing today’s critical transportation challenges.”
The trucking association from Barrs' home state has also added its support to his nomination.
"Derek has become a dear friend to me and an instrumental leader in the trucking industry," said Alix Miller, president and CEO of Florida Trucking Association. “His proven leadership and understanding of both public safety and transportation operations make him an ideal candidate to guide FMCSA through today’s complex challenges. I, and the members of FTA, congratulate Derek on this well-deserved nomination.
"Throughout his career, Derek has demonstrated an ability to create effective collaborations between the trucking industry and public safety officers to address critical issues including road safety initiatives educating the motoring public.
“Derek has been boots-on-the-ground for years of voluntary vehicle inspections; outreach to company terminals; and developing the ‘Truck Drivers and Troopers’ program with FTA—matching our member companies with a Trooper to spend a workday with a driver, and then vice versa—for both to better understand the issues one another face."
Both the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association and the American Trucking Associations announced their support for Barrs' nomination earlier this week.
Barrs will face confirmation hearings and a vote by the full Senate.
