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The FMSCA's mission statement reads: The primary mission of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. To carry out this mission, President Obama has chosen Maryland Motor Truck Association (MMTA) president Ann Ferro as the potential Head of the FMCSA.

Through the years, since the inception of the FMCSA, many have complained that the appointed Heads of the Administration did not understand the trucking industry. It appears that, if Congress approves Ferro's appointment to Administrator, this is about to change. Ferro boasts a long history in the trucking industry and in government.

Prior to joining MMTA in 2003, Ferro spent seventeen-years in state government; the first six were with the Maryland General Assembly and the last seven were served as the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administrator. She is a past member of the Council of Minority Transportation Officials and of Leadership Maryland, the Tricentennial Committee for the Port of Baltimore. Ferro obtained her undergraduate degree from St. John's College, served in the Peace Corps in West Africa, and completed a Masters in Public Management at the University of Maryland, School of Public Policy.

In the June 4th press release, the White House highlighted Ferro's "strong record in highway safety, regulatory compliance, and agency leadership."

"She has extensive experience in driver and vehicle safety, having led the agency's efforts to establish a graduated licensing program for new drivers in Maryland, as well as a model for older driver research," the White House said in the announcement.

If confirmed, Ferro will tackle a vast array of issues that include:

·         Overhauling the training regulations

·         The continuing dispute between the United States and Mexico over cross-border trucking

·         The long-running legal and regulatory battle over the hours-of-service regulation for commercial drivers

·         Publication of the electronic onboard recorder rule

·         Proposed new regulations on driver health issues and drug and alcohol testing databases

·         The upcoming highway bill, where much of the nation's highway safety agenda is to be mapped out.

Support for Ferro's confirmation is coming in strong from trucking organizations and associations.

Transport Topics believes that "Ms. Ferro's extensive experience in promoting driver, vehicle and highway safety will serve the nation well," Bill Graves, president of American Trucking Associations, said in a statement. "As administrator of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration, she developed a reputation as a tough but fair regulator."

Todd Spencer, executive vice president of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), said he thought Ferro's "diverse background involving commercial motor vehicles . . . certainly [gives her] the qualifications to fill that position."

John Conley, president of the National Tank Truck Carriers, said, "President Obama made an outstanding choice."

Ferro is "very knowledgeable about trucking and the important role that the government has in ensuring safety... I have confidence she will keep the same level of professional and competence that we saw from John Hill," said Conley, who recently served with her on an FMCSA-sponsored CDL advisory committee.

With her vast knowledge of the trucking industry and of the inner workings of government, if confirmed, Ferro can only help in addressing the many issues facing the trucking industry in the days, months and years to come. We can only hope that she remembers the drivers, too.