U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg named Vinn White deputy administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. He will also serve as the agency’s acting administrator.

White replaces former Administrator Robin Hutchinson. She left FMCSA in January and the agency has been without a deputy administrator since that time.

Sue Lawless, FMCSA executive director and chief safety officer, has been serving as acting deputy administrator and leading the agency in the interium. 

Among the hot-button regulatory issues Vinn will have to manage in his new role are a speed limiter proposal, a mandatory automatic emergency braking proposed rule and trailer side underride guard regulations.

A member of the Biden-Harris Administration since 2021, White also currently serves as the U.S. Department of Transportation’s acting chief artificial intelligence (AI) officer.

Transportation Technology Background

In that role, he oversees implementation of White House Executive Order 14110 to advance and govern the development and use of AI in accordance with the administration’s guiding principles and priorities.

“It is an honor to take on this role, and I thank Secretary Buttigieg for his trust and confidence in my ability to lead the important work of FMCSA,” said White.

“Our agency is focused on enhancing safety for all roadway users, and I am committed to working with safety partners across the commercial motor vehicle industry to get this work done.”

Prior to joining FMCSA, White was responsible for coordinating DOT initiatives on emerging transportation technologies. These included coordinating cross-departmental policies related to automated driving systems, drone and advanced air mobility systems, surface vehicle-to-everything connectivity, and 5G integration with the nation’s critical aviation infrastructure.

During this time, he led development of the department’s Innovation Principles and helped launch the Transforming Transportation Advisory Committee.

White’s appointment in 2021 marked a return to the DOT. He previously served as acting assistant secretary of transportation for policy and deputy assistant secretary in 2016, where he was the chief architect for DOT’s 30-year transportation plan, Beyond Traffic.

New Jersey Roots

White’s experience and knowledge in transportation is vast, FMCSA said. It spans more than 15 years, including his tenure as a senior advisor to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

During that time, White worked on transportation and mobility policy and engaged closely with the NJ Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Commission, NJ Transit, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to inform state strategies and approaches.

White earned both his Master of Arts, Justice, Law and Society and his Bachelor of Science, Law and Society from American University. He also proudly attended the County College of Morris in Randolph, New Jersey, where he earned his associate degree in criminal justice.