In The News
Obama appoints former acting administrator, current chief counsel Scott Darling as FMCSA administrator
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama Wednesday appointed T.F. Scott Darling III as the next administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
The appointment is subject to approval by the Senate. At the same time Obama announced Darling's appointment, he also sent Darling's name to the Senate for confirmation, an unusual step for a just-announced appointment.
Darling will succeed Anne S. Ferro, who resigned from the post in August 2014.
Darling, who has been serving as the agency's chief counsel, was appointed acting administrator when Ferro left, but had to relinquish the acting administrator title six month later as federal regulations allow an acting administrator to carry that title for only six months. He has remained in charge of the agency as its chief counsel.
Previously, Darling was the deputy chief of staff and assistant general counsel for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) from 2009-2012.
From 2005 to 2008, Darling served as the Environmental and Land Use Counsel for the MBTA.
He worked for the Conservation Law Foundation/CLF Ventures as the director of Greater Boston Institute and staff attorney from 2003-2005. From 2001-2003, Darling served as the part-time executive director for Freedom House in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Darling received a B.A. from Clark University, an M.P.P from Tufts University, and a J.D. from Suffolk University.
Darling's was one of nine appointments announced Wednesday.
"I am grateful that these talented and dedicated individuals have agreed to take on these important roles and devote their talents to serving the American people," Obama said. "I look forward to working with them."
American Trucking Associations President and CEO Bill Graves said: "We congratulate Scott on his nomination to this critical position and we look forward to continuing to work with him to improve truck and highway safety."
Truckload Carriers Association President Brad Bentley said TCA "has had the opportunity to work with Mr. Darling on several occasions while he was serving as acting administrator and it is evident he is sincere and genuinely concerned about safety.
"The trucking industry will need his strong leadership on key issues like entry-level driver training, Hours of Service and ELDs, and TCA certainly looks forward to working with him."
"We look forward to continuing to work with Administrator Scott Darling," said Jim Johnston, president and CEO of the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. "We have found him to be open and receptive to input from the Association and he appears to appreciate the role of professional truckers."
Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx praised Darling's appointment. "Through strong and effective management as chief counsel and acting administrator of FMCSA, Scott has already demonstrated his ability to lead the agency," Foxx said. "He is committed to making our roads safer for motorists, passengers and professional truck and bus drivers, and is constantly working with all sides to find solutions to challenges facing the industry and the motoring public. FMCSA will continue to benefit from his years of leadership and experience working in the transportation sector. I look forward to our continued work together," Foxx said.
The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at [email protected].