A former vice president at the American Trucking Association has just been named the acting Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Mala Parker was appointed by U.S. DOT Secretary Elaine Chao.
During her time at ATA, Parker was Vice President for Coalitions. According to an ATA press release put out at the time of her hiring back in 2015, her job was to build coalitions, connect with policymakers, and “give elected officials the bigger picture when it comes to our issues.”
Now she’ll be one of those policymakers she’s used to lobbying. As Deputy Administrator for the FHWA, she’ll be second-in-command at the federal agency in charge of where, when, and how to spend federal tax dollars that go towards maintaining and constructing the interstate highway system.
According to reporting by FreightWaves, Parker is also responsible for preparing reports for Congress on highway policy and has been part of the conversation about policies regarding autonomous trucks.
“I am honored Secretary Chao has entrusted me with the additional responsibilities of acting deputy administrator of FHWA,” reads a statement issued by Parker. “I look forward to working even more closely with the department’s leadership, my FHWA colleagues and our stakeholders to build on our efforts to enhance safety and modernize our nation’s roads and bridges.”
Source: freightwaves, gobytrucknews, ttnews
If there was any proof that the inmates have taken over the asylum, this is it.
I wonder what price ATA had to pay to help Chao with this decision. This is the definition of “ pay to play”.
We’re screwed! These trucking associations are just used as a stepping stones into a govt job by people, who otherwise, couldn’t get them based on education or experience. Steve Williams, ceo of Maverick, will be next. Speed limiters, cameras covering all aspects of truck inside and out, mandatory this mandatory that…….it’s all coming
Here we go again putting someone in 2 in command of trucking that has no ideal about trucking there never been in a truck or over the road.
Nothing good will come out of this. A VP from the anti-driver ATA in a leading role at the FHWA only spells disaster for drivers of all types. It has long been the mission of the ATA to get rid of independent drivers, owner-operators, and small companies. This only furthers that goal. The fact that she is a leading voice advocating for autonomous trucks tells you what the future holds for this countries transportation system.
ATA is definitely not a trucker friendly organization
Wow that is really what we need. Someone from ATA”anti truckers association ” just imagine all the bs laws lnow
Would this woman even know how to start a truck? Some things governments do are laughable but, this one is a certain sign of a government having no idea what it is doing.
Another example of the foxes bein put in charge of the chickens? Is anyone surprised anymore?
Congratulations Mala! I know you will do an amazing job in this role as with everything I have known you to do the past two decades. Well deserved!
Yup were screwed. ATA (ANTI-TRUCKING-ASSOCIATION) has an insider now, we’ll start to see these big companies get their way on a regular now.
Lol wow, this is why after 11 years I’m sick of it. As a company driver and former owner operator and back to a company driver i make over 100,000 a year. But if i can make 3 or 4 times sitting at home why not. I have started a new business which at this point I’m running it from my truck. But hopefully by december that new business will make over 70k a month. Trucking is going to hell in a handbasket and I’m not sticking around to be part of it or go down with. This job sucked 11 years of my life. Its sucked 4 years of watching my little girl grow up. I’m done I’m 33 and I’m about to be making more while sitting at home or beach taking in the sun.
And what company is this? I want join if I can make over 70K a month. I need to be home or beach every day.Lol!
more B.S. and crap from a t a.
What a huge surprise. The ATA (We advocate for the drivers… NOT) has another “in” at a regulatory agency.
How conveeeeeenient.
I bet mine of these people have ever sat in a Semi and know what life is on the road.
We all know this moron knows nothing about trucking. That’s enough qualification nowadays.
I throw one into her
I would throw one into her
She is very pretty lol.
Didn’t I hear someone say he was going to drain the swamp!!