The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance has announced that Stephen A. Keppler, its executive director since 2009, is leaving CVSA after 15 years to accept the newly created position of senior vice president of the Intermodal Association of North America.

Keppler’s last day with CVSA will be Sept. 4. Collin Mooney, CVSA's deputy executive director since 2010, will serve as acting executive director until the executive director position is filled. “Steve has been a consummate advocate for commercial vehicle safety and is truly committed to making our roads a safer place to travel,” the nonprofit safety group said in a statement. “CVSA is a better and stronger Alliance due to Steve's time at the helm of the organization.”

CVSA said that during his tenure, Keppler “enhanced CVSA's credibility and brand; increased fiscal stability and transparency; increased member engagement and conference attendance; spearheaded many policy, regulatory and legislative advancements; enhanced the quality and quantity of educational products both in digital form and at conferences; helped develop a new strategic plan; and much more.”

“I have been extremely proud and humbled to have had the opportunity to lead this incredible and impactful organization,” Keppler remarked. “It will always have a special place in my heart. I also am very excited about the future of CVSA given the quality and talent of the membership and the staff, as well as the current state of affairs in CMV safety. There is still much to be done, but CVSA is well positioned to continue to offer solutions that will save lives.”

The Intermodal Association of North America said its board created the new position of senior vice president that Keppler will fill to “acknowledge IANA’s growth in membership as well as its program and service offerings.”

IANA said Keppler’s responsibilities will “extend throughout the organization,” including overseeing the Member Services and Conferences/Events departments and developing new businesses for the association’s Information Services.

“IANA is lucky to be adding a person of Steve’s caliber to the Association staff,” said Joni Casey, president and CEO. “His wealth of knowledge, expertise and standing in the freight community will be put to good use on behalf of IANA’s membership, starting at the Intermodal Expo next month.”

Prior to joining CVSA, Keppler served as the department director for vehicle systems at the Intelligent Transportation Society of America. Before that, he was employed in various positions.for six years with the USDOT/FHWA Office of Motor Carriers-- now the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

He holds two Bachelor’s degrees, in civil engineering and architectural engineering, from Drexel University.