Trump Administration Nominates Derek Barrs for FMCSA Administrator
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has put forward the nomination of Derek Barrs from Florida as the new administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), based on documents released by the Senate on Tuesday.
Adrienne Camire, who was serving as the acting administrator, left the agency unexpectedly after only two weeks in her role.
Barrs, who was appointed to the Flagler County School Board by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in October, serves on the Law Enforcement Advisory Board of the American Trucking Associations and is a member of the Florida Trucking Association (FTA).
FTA President and CEO Alix Miller praised Barrs as “an instrumental leader in the trucking industry” in a press statement appreciating his nomination. Miller emphasized that Barrs’ leadership skills and understanding of public safety and transportation make him well-suited to tackle the current challenges facing FMCSA.
Should the Senate confirm his nomination, Barrs would become the ninth individual to hold the position of FMCSA administrator since the agency’s establishment in 2000.
Todd Spencer, President of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, expressed enthusiasm about working with Barrs to advance small business truckers’ priorities, including combating freight fraud and addressing regulatory issues for heightened road safety. Spencer urged for a prompt confirmation from the Senate and shared optimism for collaborating with Barrs to enhance roadway safety.
The FMCSA administrator frequently participates in leadership panels at the Mid-America Trucking Show, which begins this week in Louisville, Kentucky. However, FMCSA did not confirm the official who will represent the agency in this year’s panel scheduled for March 27.
