FMCSA Names Assistant Administrator and Chief Safety Officer

Sue Lawless has been named assistant administrator and chief safety officer for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Lawless will officially assume the position on Sept. 10.

In this role, Lawless will serve as FMCSA’s chief safety officer to promote the agency’s safety mission, collaborate with federal, state, and local governments, and provide direction to all national commercial vehicle safety programs.

She replaces Jack Van Steenburg, who retired earlier this year after 15 years with FMCSA. Kenneth Riddle has been serving in an acting role during the transition.

Prior to her appointment, Lawless was the director of FMCSA’s Motor Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle Standards Division.

She first joined FMCSA in 2001, but later transitioned to the private sector where she was a partner in a law firm and represented motor carriers, motor carrier drivers, and various transportation businesses.

Lawless rejoined FMCSA in 2010. She now brings more than 20 years of experience from the private and federal motor carrier safety industry to her new role, having engaged with nearly every FMCSA program as a trial attorney, assistant chief counsel, division chief, and director within the Office of Policy. 

“We are extremely fortunate to have Sue in this position at FMCSA. Her experience in the industry and her years of service at FMCSA will ensure the agency is well-positioned to continue its safety mission,” said Robin Hutcheson, FMCSA administrator.

“Sue is a smart, savvy steadfast strategist who can hit the ground running on FMCSA’s priorities, and I look forward to working with her in this role.”

Lawless is originally from Southern Maryland. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from McDaniel College and law degree from the University of Baltimore.