On Tuesday, the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA) announced Stephen A. Keppler as its new executive director. Keppler has 18 years of experience in the transportation industry, almost all of which has been dedicated to truck and bus safety and security. He has been employed with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance since March of 2000 in the position of Director of Policy & Programs and most recently as its Interim Executive Director.

“After conducting a year-long search for an executive director, I am pleased to announce on behalf of CVSA’s executive committee that we have selected Stephen A. Keppler as our executive director,” said CVSA’s President, Buzzy France. “Steve has been serving earnestly as our interim executive director for nearly a year now, going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the organization stayed on track during a very busy year. This position serves a critical role in advancing the success of the Alliance by moving us forward in achieving our strategic goals and our mission to promote commercial motor vehicle safety and security by providing leadership to enforcement, industry and policy makers,” said France.

Keppler previously served as the Department Director for Vehicle Systems at the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, a trade association dedicated to furthering the deployment of technology in transportation. Prior to ITS America he was employed with the U.S. DOT/FHWA Office of Motor Carriers (now FMCSA) for six years in the field and in Headquarters. 

Keppler graduated from Drexel University in Philadelphia in 1992 with two Bachelor of Science Degrees in Engineering – Civil and Architectural. He resides in Ellicott City, Md. with his wife Dana and two sons, Alexander and Elliott.

“It is an extremely rewarding experience and great honor to lead an organization so committed to the critically important role of providing safe and secure roads to all travelers throughout North America,” said Keppler. “Our members and associate members are directly impacting on the everyday lives of so many, and it is a privilege to help further their cause. I look forward to continuing to build and strengthen on the partnerships CVSA has with our members, industry, government and other partners to achieve our ultimate goal: zero highway deaths.”