Sue Lawless is the Executive Director and Chief Safety Officer for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). She assumed this role in August 2023. 

Previously, Ms. Lawless was the Director for FMCSA’s Office of Motor Carrier, Driver, and Vehicle Safety Standards Division where she was responsible for establishing sound safety policy for motor carrier, driver, vehicle, and medical programs.

Ms. Lawless first joined FMCSA in 2001, and later transitioned to the private sector where she was a partner in a law firm and represented motor carriers, motor carrier drivers, and various transportation businesses. She rejoined FMCSA in 2010 and brings more than 20 years of experience in the private and federal motor carrier safety industry. She has also engaged with nearly every FMCSA program as a trial attorney, Assistant Chief Counsel, Division Chief, and Director within the Office of Policy.