Washington, D.C. — The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has named a new leader of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Following the departure of Meera Joshi earlier this month — who was the Biden Administration’s first pick to head the FMCSA — Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced on Wednesday that Robin Hutcheson will be the Deputy Administrator and also serve as the Acting Administrator.

Since January 2021, Hutcheson has served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Safety Policy for the USDOT.

According to Sec. Buttigieg, she led safety policy for the Department, and “coordinated other critical efforts,” including COVID-19 response and recovery.

Buttigieg also credited Hutcheson with being “instrumental” in the development of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure law which was passed late last year marking the Biden Administration’s signature transportation achievement.

Prior to being appointed to the Biden Administration, Hutcheson was the Director of Public Works for the City of Minneapolis.

There she 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, the USDOT said.

Prior to her appointment in Minneapolis, she served as the Transportation Director for Salt Lake City, UT.

Additionally, Buttigieg said Hutcheson has served as a consultant throughout the western United States, London, France, and for the European Union Commission on Sustainability “specializing in transportation and transit.”

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

To serve as FMCSA’s permanent Administrator, Hutcheson will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

The White House has not yet sent Hutcheson’s nomination.

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