The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has announced the 24 truck drivers that will represent truckers nationwide on an advisory committee. These drivers will give the FMCSA a real-world perspective on proposed regulations, rules, and policy changes.
The advisory panel was first announced back in September of last year. The panel is part of the Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC). Other groups represented include enforcement officers, trucking companies, and labor groups.
According to the FMCSA, the drivers selected come from different parts of the industry. There are independent owner-operators and company drivers, livestock haulers and hazmat drivers, LTL drivers, local drivers, and OTR drivers. Desiree Wood, a long-time trucker advocate, founder of Real Women In Trucking, and an active trucker herself is on the panel. The 25th member of the driver panel – and panel chairman – is Todd Spencer, President of OOIDA.
“We know that many of the solutions to the challenges we face don’t come from Washington—they come from the hard-working men and women who are behind the wheel all over our nation,” said then-FMCSA Deputy Administrator Wiley Deck back in September. “This new subcommittee to MCSAC will further help us hear from America’s commercial drivers.”
Here are the panelists!
William Bennett III, UPS Freight
Teddy Cranford, Waste Management of Maryland, Inc.
Debra Desiderato, Walkabout Transport
Douglas Feathers, URS Midwest Inc.
Steve Fields, YRC Freight
JoAnne Forbes, MBT Worldwide, Inc.
Gerald Fritts, Jr., American Overland Freight
John Grosvenor, McKiernan Trucking
Attila Gyorfi, RSP Express Inc.
Scott Harrison, K Limited Carriers
Rhonda Hartman, Old Dominion Freight Lines
Darwin Hershberger, Hershberger Livestock, LLC
Daniel Kobussen, Kobussen Buses, Ltd.
Deb Labree, Castle Transport, LLC
Alphonso Lewis, YRC Freight
Don Logan, FedEx Freight
Kellylynn McLaughlin, Schneider National, Inc.
Tina Peterson, Ravenwood Transport
Stephen Pryor, Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Kevin (Brandy) Russell, Transport America
Douglas Smith, Ralph Smith Co.
Kevin Steichen, Steichen Trucking
Angelique Temple, Atlantic Bulk Carrier
Desirée Wood, Real Women in Trucking
Hope these folks have an agenda for trucking not for themselves
Does not mean a thing until we see their individual politics.
As drivers we certainly know that some of the most snobbish, arrogant and worse dispatchers and brokers are those that were prior truckers.
And –
How were they selected?
they sent in resumes and were then hand picked.I sent one in and heard nothing.
I don’t see any company from the heavy haul industry which is a totally different segment of trucking
I think it would be hard to know what every different segment is out there. There are a number of LTL drivers in the group, but no cement drivers. Garbage haulers, but no (I don’t think) dump truckers.
I agree, all I see is big Mega companies, congregating, and figuring out how to drive the final stake, through the small company (ten trucks or less heart)
I was thinking the same thing, i was an otr heavy haul driver, and the regs killed us on a lot of things,
Freight companies are the worst ones to look for advice, they are the most dangerous and reckless drivers on the road, if the speed limit is 65 they do 80… And in the snow they are total fools.
Why would you add a waste company what do they have to offer? NOTHING
I agree with you. They produce haulers and more owner operators like myself so they can get a understanding how produce is very hard to ship with this HOS we have to wait for it to be pick out of the fields and pack for hours. Actually owner operates are the safes trucks out here. We not doing anything to hurt our company and providing for our family
Glen, LTL Companies are one of the best in “Safety”!
Probably added them due to the money issue. Most Garbage companies are tied to the Mob. Sounds strange but true. Joey Laganos family got their money 💰 that way.
Most of those guys are governed no more than 75mph.
Reading from comments so far….complaints.
It’s a start drivers and it will improve eventually.
Can’t have everything in day one when we didn’t have any representation before but legislators and bureaucrats.
I will applaud this initiative of FMSCA and I hope for the best.
We the drivers are punished with all kinds of points and stupid rules and fines like no other industry in this country.
Just let them do what they know best…..driving trucks and represent us.
Well spoken driver…it is a step in the right direction to have a voice from within the industry. I hope those representing look out for all of us.
this industry can be cleaned up in less than 30 days if the right person was on charge
Yes its transportation in a whole that needs to be changed. Diesel used to be the cheapest fuel you could buy in America. Tires used to last longer. And Trucks were more durable and cheaper. We need drivers surveys to see what really needs to be change in the industry as a whole. Most people deciding rules dont know how to test a drive belt or tensioner.
Really happy to see a lot of women on the council. One of the most important safety in trucking that is never discussed, the safety of yourself. This is not just a women’s issue but an everybody issue. I hope that it’s finally addressed. The true driver’s safety.
Darwin Hershberger, Hershberger Livestock, LLC For President 2025
Complaining about who is or isn’t on the panel accomplishes nothing! We need to know how to make our voices heard to those who have been chosen to represent us. That how positive change happens. Truck drivers have more power then almost any other group in America, but we can’t come together on anything so that we can effect change, all we seem to be able to do is sit in the sand box and throw dirt at each other. I THINK IT’S ABOUT TIME THAT WE COME TOGETHER AND EFFECT CHANGE THAT IS DESPERATELY NEEDED IN THIS INDUSTRY!
All truck drivers used to run together. I used to look up to truckers when i was younger. My Pops trucked. I got my bachelors and still got behind the rig for 5 years now. I love it. But so many truckers act like we aren’t all together. No one is considerate for one another. Noone looks out for one another except me lol. I can train a female how to shift a 10 speed in less the 2 weeks. Floating. Snow driving climbing hills and all. Automatics are set up for failure. Thats the way the industry is headed. Autonomous trucks are rolling in the southwest as we speak. We will see how many accidents there will be once the go full throttle.
How about having mostly OTR drivers since the majority of regulations set forth by the FMCSA affect OTR drivers most of all. Many LTL(UPS, YRC, Old Dominion) are in day caps and only travel 4 hours from home and then back. Who knows, maybe the board will be able to make the FMCSA see some common sense. We can hope. I’m actually glad to see Schneider on there, and Hirschbach, they’re OTR companies. FEDEX is OTR and LTL, and so is UPS I think. Maybe we’ll see some beneficial changes, like taking out the bloody resets and just limiting our daily driving time. Let me take a day off when I’m good and ready to, when I’m close to family and not in some outta the way rural area just because that’s where I ran outta hours. 12 hours of driving time a day, 10-12 hour break. If anyone screws up and is in violation, hammer that idiot, NOT THE WHOLE INDUSTRY!
I have to agree with Stephen. We have to applaud FMCSA for the initial attempt. I would not want to see the number of Panel members to increase. I would, however, like to see new driver training represented on the panel. We need to have a clear, well documented route for prospective new drivers to follow so they can reach the experienced driver level. The current new driver regulations read like a bureaucrat document written by someone who received ACD L but never did any miles. This is an opportunity to put experience behind those words To give them real meaning.
We have plenty of Trucker representation, but what were missing is someone to become an Advocate or Ambassador to connect the dots, from Truckers to Regulations.
Safety is number 1. And technology can resolve those issues. As a Technology Logistics advocate based in Washington bDC, we are in the forefront of all aspects of innovation. We need address all aspects in all 50 states for all types of transport.
Technology is what is wrong right now. You have to constantly race that clock. why do you think that diver are unsafe? My dad has driven for 35 years and ZERO accidents and has never used an ELog. My grandfather drove for 40 years and zero accidents. I had driven 10 years and never had an accident. And guess what? No E-Log. Same with my brothers. what is the difference in my family and the “Swift” type drivers? We were taught how to drive by people that took pride in what the do and not from a CDL mill and then put in a plastic and steel cage forced to race a clock. Why don’t the drivers care anymore? Because the Megs companies have driven the haul price down so far it is not economical to have pride. Pride cost these companies too much money. Instead of recruiting drivers that don’t take pride in themselves, recruit drivers that really care about the industry and pay them what they are worth. The above is why i sold my fleet a few years ago. I was tired of some suit in Washington telling me how a driver should operate when they have never even taken a ride. So no, Technology is not what the industry needs.
Exactly, technology is about money not safety. Most technology in trucking is the exact reasons drivers are dying.
You’re soo right on brother
the common carriers are the ones who move the products that are required every day by manufacturers, and their market has been so fractured lately that it is no suprise Yellow is represented twice. I suspect the politicians are trying to get a handle on the rollout of electric, driverless units. you may see increased sizes out of this group but not weights. I hope Todd plays the diplomat so his voice is heard.
my advise for the future is to design a system/ program that will get product in to major metropolitan areas. I have always thought that a light rail system with relatively small pods that doubles as a people mover would alleviate many metro problems, today it would have to be a monorail type system.
I think it is a mistake that there are no small operation representatives, this is where innovation has always been strongest, but how to choose. could i suggest that anyone with such a standing that has a relationship with any of the above names reach out and try to insert your ideas.
the future of the industry is about to change radically, best to have a hand in it if you are a visionary.
I agree with Steven’s comment. To complain has been in vogue for quite some time now, and to complain before ANYTHING even begins to happen is just ridiculous. The assembled group will no doubt make a difference as no one has ever even considered putting a group like this before. I have over 40 yrs in primarily heavy haul and no one asked me either. WAH! I know one thing for sure, Todd Spencer has the experience to form that group of truckers into a cohesive well functioning unit that will ultimately benefit the trucking industry. Give them a chance. Give Biden a chance. Don’t condemn before results are seen or not seen
Nothing is ever going to change until there’s less regulations on the average American driver who does abide by the rules.the emissions standards are killing the small market driver industry. New trucks last around 340,000 miles before they start needing expensive emissions repairs that most drivers cannot afford. “more available parking is desperately needed across the board!”. there are too many foreign drivers in America camping out in truck stop parking lots who will jump on freight no matter the cost to transport. these actions are ruining the average drivers ability to operate. also there needs to be stricter standards and accountability put forward on brokers & driver managers who micro manage drivers to the point of exhaustion.. each individual is different and we all have ways in which we can operate safety, independently or as a team. Truck Driver cannot be expected to move freight safety & on time when at every turn be it construction zones, accident backups or distracted angry drivers. you have a overwhelming majority of the population who don’t follow the rules when they are implemented.
To GLENN, you Cannot judge everyone the same! There are good guys and lady’s out there too! Before I got Disabled, I drove 2 Million miles Accident Free miles( THANK GOD!) so may I suggest you Forgive anyone that has done you wrong and if you have not, ask JESUS to forgive u of your sins and come into your heart to be your Lord N Savior. That’s the Only way to heaven anyway. Through CHRIST. YOU will feel a whole lot better if you Forgive! Y’all have a Blessed day!🦅🙏🐑🩸🙌
What did you expect.Most of those drivers are union.
They should put drivers from bad weather areas
And really think about pushing the 11 hour I know I can drive 12
My opinion is that this has been too long coming. It’s a no-brainer that the FMCSA suits struggle to ascertain which way to turn. The revised sleeper berth provision is riddled with unknowns or open to interpretation.
I want to see ex truck drivers not as part of a panel but as a viable part of the administration.
What is the president of OOIDA doing on this board ,this is not for truck drivers it’s for money grabbing scam artis like OOIDA
YRC having 2 drivers is laughable. A company that should have been shut down years ago getting 2 seats at the table? What does a FedEx or UPS dfiver know about safety? Other than what is best tow company to flip them back over.
This list is a joke.
What a novel idea. Ask for the driver to participate and advise. Then the complainers show up. Is there a flatbed driver, is there a Michigan multi axel steel hauler, is there a RV transporter? How about a bed bugger or cross border driver. Any IO’s? How can they afford time away from the wheel? How and where do they meet? TA or Pilot?
Nah man they meet at the loves that way there’s always warm and fuzzy feelings.
I agree if heavy isn’t trucking then I don’t know what is. Chicken hauling is like driving a 4 wheeler compared to the two. Hmmmmm this should be interesting.
I agree with Miss eagle I also I’ve got about a million and a half miles if not a little more and I am a female truck driver I also show the six championships under my belt second in the nation of expeditor the year no accidents on the highway no tickets 0 on my CSA and if I can do it I feel others can and if other people can’t forgive and start helping other drivers out to improve what they feel is being Foster it’s like parking in truck stops if they can’t forgive each other they do need Jesus .I agree Christ is the one that kept me safe on the highway all these years and he’s blessed me on the highway and I feel that yes we need to get rid of these elogs or put them back the way they were when they first came out this choke collar business has got to stop people have to be more patient and getting their things and drivers need to start respecting other drivers and start caring about what’s going on and caring about their equipment as well as each other. God bless all the drivers out their. 😇
Lol they didn’t let swift in
24 drivers for 50 states? Sure…..House representatives are way cheaper , right?
This is a ridiculous group handpicked to further their squeeze on the industry just what we needed more regulations built by people who have no idea what being a over-the-road truly means
I would like to know there position within their respective companies, if they have ever actually held a CDL, if they spent more than a menial amount of time driving a CDL A type truck, how long they have been working in the CDL industry?
It looks like my comment was censored! Sorry folks you won’t get to hear it
Don’t see any owner operators
more crooked large company drivers who will be influenced by their companies. The FMCSA just did this for nothing. After many conversations with Todd Spencer from OOIDA, who is nothing but a puppet, that choice was ignorant.
Just like the “Best Companies to Work For” listings, who “donated” what amount of money to buy their way onto the list.
Should be entertaining,if anything. Never could get two different truckers to agree on anything,let alone 25. Why are the feds directly buttering the buns of truckers,now? That load left decades ago.
Less than 1% of trucking workforce, yet about 30% of the staff. So darn typical.
Just another bunch of Boot lickers and Pat myself on the back crowd…You can see their heads nodding from here…And Todd Spencer… Begging to be on Biden’s cabinet.
I have to ask, how many are actually drivers? How many actually sit behind a desk? If they do how many years did they drive and how many years ago did they drive? There are a lot more things that should also be asked.
Congrats to them but I was a little surprised to see Atlantic Bulk Carrier’s choose, she a local driver and not the sharpest tool in the shed, nice person otherwise but doesn’t really know much about trucking.
Please remember why you are there and who your audience is. Panels have been created from the beginning of time and few ever make real change for the people that the panel was created for. Meaning positive change and not monetary gain for themselves or the organizations they represent. They are doing just fine already!
They better cause if not ill be cleaning house real quick
As others have noted regulations create the biggest problems for OTR drivers in general and owner ops specifically who pay their own bills. Both are underrepresented here. Lot of union representation even though unions represent a tiny fraction of drivers. And whatever the intentions here the incoming Biden administration will be fully staffed with radical regulators. I’m happy that OOIDA is represented but I’m not hopeful.
The only rule I will accept is ( NO MORE ELECTRONIC LOGS) period, give us our freedom back.
This is just placation of the masses until we know what if any political agenda they serve. It’s horrible having to frame it this way, but America is desperately broken with one side of the political aisle tending to talk about physical problems ideas and solutions; while the other side is more focussed on emotional and ideological problems ideas and solutions.
And the latter has totally lost its grip on physical reality.
Any black male truckers in that list or is just a bunch of women and white men?
Now Pete needs to go on the road with an actual driver or two for a couple of weeks to learn what trucking is about up close and personal. Having an advisory council is great, but second hand info isn’t the same as actually experiencing it.
How do I apply/picked for the advisory panel. I miss the old days when truckers were looked up to for help and advice while being utmost respected. Helping one another while getting paid our worth. This Over worked and Underpaid industry needs help.
All the ltl drivers that’s a great pick they go home every night don’t know anything about the parking situation only that they are the ones that take there 30 on the fuel island or side of the interstate great picks
Just lookking at the names… I am glad that they are putting “Truckers” on said advisory panel. Just looking over the names (cusory search) shows that they don’t have any “Single Truck” companies represented. I feel that it is important that the single truck operations be fairly represented in this as well. I wonder what the FMCSA has in mind for representation. Or for that matter the adjenda for the panelists.