Vinn White new acting head of FMCSA

Washington — Vinn White is the acting administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration after being appointed deputy administrator by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg on June 25.

White assumes the role after Robin Hutcheson resigned in January. Hutcheson became the agency’s first permanent, Senate-confirmed administrator in nearly three years when lawmakers approved her nomination in September 2022.

Sue Lawless, the agency’s executive director and chief safety officer, served as acting deputy administrator before White’s appointment. White was serving as DOT’s acting chief artificial intelligence officer.

“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,” White said in a press release. “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.”

White rejoined DOT in 2021 after spending almost three years as a senior transportation advisor to New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D). White’s LinkedIn profile shows he served DOT in multiple roles from July 2009 to January 2017, including time as acting assistant secretary/deputy assistant secretary. In that position, he led the formation of DOT’s 30-year transportation plan, Beyond Traffic.