The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that Steve Dowling has joined the agency as its Chief Safety Officers.
Dowling has more than 35 years of combined industry and law enforcement experience dedicated to improving commercial motor vehicle safety.
“Steve Dowling’s career has been defined by an unwavering commitment to public safety, operational excellence, and service,” FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs said. “His experience leading in both law enforcement and the trucking industry gives him a unique perspective that will help strengthen FMCSA’s mission.”
Prior to joining FMCSA, Dowling served as Senior Director of Safety at Covenant Logistics and in leadership roles across multiple commercial motor vehicle industry organizations. Before his work in the private-sector, Dowling served with the California Highway Patrol, where he rose to Chief of the Valley Division, commanding an 850-person force serving the greater Sacramento region and overseeing operations across 20 commands, a commercial vehicle enforcement facility, and three communications centers across 10 counties. He also served as Incident Commander of the Emergency Operations Center during multiple major emergencies, including the 2018 Camp Fire in Paradise, California.
As Chief Safety Officer, Dowling will help lead FMCSA’s safety programs and initiatives, while working with federal, state and industry partners to advance the agency’s mission of reducing crashes, fatalities and injuries involving large trucks and buses, and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of freight throughout the United States.