The American Trucking Associations (ATA) is backing former Florida law enforcement official Derek Barrs to lead the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), following his nomination by president Donald Trump.

“With nearly two decades of experience in law enforcement and the commercial motor vehicle industry, Derek Barrs’ career has been defined by his emphasis on making our roads safer for all motorists,” said ATA president and CEO Chris Spear in a statement. “He has a proven track record of strengthening ties between the trucking industry and public safety officers to address top transportation challenges such as drug impairment, cargo theft, and human trafficking.”

Barrs served with both the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Highway Patrol in various commercial vehicle enforcement roles. He has also worked as a consultant on traffic and commercial vehicle safety projects in several states. In 2021, he joined ATA’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board and has held multiple roles with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, most recently serving as president of the Associate Members group.

Spear said Barrs’ collaborative approach and knowledge of the trucking sector would make him “an invaluable asset” to the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Earlier this year, ATA, the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), and the National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC) sent a joint letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy expressing their support for Barrs’ nomination.