Derek D. Barrs serves as the Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation. Nominated by President Donald J. Trump on March 25, 2025, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 7, 2025, he leads the agency’s mission to enhance commercial motor vehicle safety, improve the efficiency of the nation’s freight and passenger transportation systems, and bring commonsense principles to regulatory oversight. 

With nearly 35 years of experience in law enforcement and roadway safety, including more than 25 years focused on commercial motor vehicle safety, Barrs has built a distinguished career at the local, state, and national levels. He previously served as Associate Vice President for Strategic Mobility Solutions at HNTB Corporation, and earlier as a Deputy Sheriff in Madison County, Florida, and as a Florida State Trooper. Rising through the ranks, he retired as Chief of the Florida Highway Patrol. 

Barrs was also appointed by the Governor of Florida to the Flagler County School Board, where he worked to advance educational success through high expectations, innovation, and a safe learning environment.  

Nationally, he has been a leader in the Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), serving as Florida’s lead agency representative, as president of the industry membership, and as the inaugural chairman of the Enforcement and Industry Modernization Committee, where he championed the integration of new technologies and strengthened safety oversight. In addition, he has served on the American Trucking Association’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board, helping foster stronger industry and law enforcement collaboration. 

A graduate of Flagler College in Saint Augustine, Florida with a degree in Public Administration, Barrs has consistently remained active in his community and committed to advancing public safety. He is the proud father of two children: a son serving in the United States Army and a daughter who will graduate from college in December 2025.