Jim Mullen, a former acting administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has joined the staff of the National Motor Freight Traffic Association as chief strategy officer.

The organization, which serves the less-than-truckload industry, said as a consultant with nearly 20 years of broad executive experience in the trucking industry, Mullen provides advocacy, strategy, policy, and legal services for transportation stakeholders as the founder and president of Mullen Consulting LLC.

As the current executive director of the Clean Freight Coalition, Mullen has formed relationships with key industry authorities across the transportation and supply chain industry, according to NMFTA.

FMCSA Role

During his time as the acting administrator and chief counsel of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, from 2018 to 2020, Mullen rendered legal policy and direction to all FMCSA headquarters and field offices.

NMFTA said in his new role, Mullen will be responsible for partnering with vehicle manufacturers, telematics companies, federal agencies, and supply chain leaders for digital standards development and trucking cybersecurity research, as well as best practices to protect one of the country’s most critical infrastructures.

"Recognizing the crucial role NMFTA plays in setting standards and proactively uniting the industry, I saw a unique opportunity to contribute,” said Mullen. “My experience at CFC, FMCSA, Werner Enterprises, and TuSimple, coupled with my passion for autonomous vehicles, perfectly aligned with this role. With my regulatory expertise, I firmly believe we can establish the necessary standards to propel the industry forward."

TuSimple Role

In his role at TuSimple as chief administrative and legal officer from 2020 to 2022, Mullen became one of the leaders who spearheaded the development of autonomous trucking technology.

Autonomous trucks are expected to be on highways as early as 2025, according to NMFTA, as the industry continues to evolve and progress with technological advancements.

“For years, our industry has encountered certain key issues, and Jim has been on the front lines of battling them,” said Debbie Sparks, executive director for NMFTA. “Upon discussing NMFTA's vision with Jim, he demonstrated immediate and enthusiastic support. His extensive experience and relationships have equipped him to proactively address long-standing industry challenges and develop innovative, lasting solutions."