Derek Barrs Nominated to Lead FMCSA

A new nominee has been submitted for administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA): Derek Barrs. 

Barrs’ nomination was received in the Senate on March 24, a week after former Acting Administrator Adrienne Camire was removed from the FMCSA website. 

If confirmed, Barrs would be the first permanent administrator since Robin Hutcheson left in January 2024. Since then, there have been four acting administrators: Sue Lawless, Vinn White, Lawless again and then Camire. 

Three groups — American Trucking Associations, Truckload Carriers Association and National Tank Truck Carriers — advocated in January for Barrs to lead FMCSA. 

The letter noted Barrs’ background in the commercial motor vehicle industry and his experience working for the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Highway Patrol. 

His “extensive work history would be an invaluable resource to the FMCSA and the men and women employed in the trucking industry who share a common goal of highway safety,” the letter reads. “He would undoubtedly facilitate a reliable and effective partnership between DOT and the commercial motor vehicle industry.”