DOT tasks its COVID response and recovery boss to lead FMCSA

Updated Jan 22, 2022

Robin Hutcheson has been named Deputy Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), taking over the role vacated by the departure of Meera Joshi in December

robin hutchesonPrior to being appointed to the Biden-Harris Administration, Hutcheson was the Director of Public Works for the City of Minneapolis and oversaw a team of 1,100 people across nine divisions.Hutcheson has served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety Policy for the U.S. Department of Transportation in the Biden-Harris Administration since January 2021, leading safety policy for the department and coordinating other efforts like COVID-19 response and recovery.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Hutcheson was also instrumental in the development of the Infrastructure Bill, especially the new Safe Streets and Roads for All program.

Prior to being appointed to the Biden-Harris Administration, Hutcheson was the Director of Public Works for the City of Minneapolis and oversaw a team of 1,100 people across nine divisions including drinking water, surface waters and sewers, solid waste and recycling, fleet management and all transportation functions. 

Prior to her appointment in Minneapolis, she served as the Transportation Director for Salt Lake City, working to improve all modes of transportation. She's also has served as a consultant specializing in transportation and transit and has worked throughout the western United States, London and France, and for the European Union Commission on Sustainability.  

Hutcheson served for seven years on the Board of Directors for the National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), most recently serving as its President. 

FMCSA hasn't had a full time administrator since Ray Martinez, who stepped down from the post in October 2019. The job has since been held by Jim Mullen, Wiley Deck, Joshi and now Hutcheson, each as acting administrator. 

Hutcheson would still need to be nominated and confirmed if she is to ascend to the role of Administrator. 

American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said his group looks forward to working Hutcheson on highway safety, adding "if she is formally nominated to serve as Administrator, we will support her nomination."

"She assumes this position at a critical time, as the pandemic, natural disasters, workforce shortages, and other factors continue to challenge the freight economy in ways never seen before," Spear added.