WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) today announced that Steve Dowling has joined the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) as the agency's Chief Safety Officer, bringing 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," said FMCSA Administrator Derek D. Barrs. "His experience leading in both law enforcement and the trucking industry gives him a unique perspective that will help strengthen FMCSA's mission."

Dowling joins FMCSA after serving as Senior Director of Safety at Covenant Logistics and in leadership roles across multiple commercial motor vehicle industry organizations. While at Covenant Logistics, Dowling helped lead the company to three consecutive years of record reductions in crash rates through a strong focus on safety performance and operational excellence.

Prior to his private-sector leadership, Dowling served with the California Highway Patrol, where he rose to Chief of the Valley Division. In that role, he commanded an 850-person force serving the greater Sacramento region and oversaw operations across 20 commands, a commercial vehicle enforcement facility, and three communications centers that encompassed ten 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, working with federal, state, and industry partners to advance the agency's mission of reducing crashes, fatalities, and injuries involving large trucks and buses while ensuring the safe and efficient movement of freight throughout the United States.

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Under U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is dedicated to reducing crashes, fatalities and injuries involving large trucks and buses. FMCSA oversees the safety of the nation’s 9 million commercial motor vehicle drivers and ensures compliance across the trucking industry
that serves as the backbone of the American economy. Visit FMCSA.dot.gov for more information.