The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) named Regina Hopper president/CEO effective May 18, 2015.

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Hopper is a veteran executive of major Washington industry associations. Her experience in public policy advocacy, communications, media and law spans the transportation, telecommunications and energy industries. Hopper most recently served as president and CEO of America's Natural Gas Alliance where she built operations from the ground up in Washington, D.C. and in 22 states. She also served as executive VP of USTelecom and the American Trucking Associations where she oversaw internal operations, connected advocacy to non-dues revenue generation, and managed external policy advocacy and communications. She has been recognized as a Top Association CEO and lobbyist by CEO Update and The Hill.

Prior to her trade association work, Regina was a correspondent for CBS News where she earned an Emmy for investigative reporting on 48 Hours. She covered the George H.W. Bush and Clinton White Houses as well as breaking news for CBS network news programs and CBS Newspath.

ITS America Board Chairman Kirk Steudle, director of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), said Hopper's background will advance the Board of Director's goal of taking ITS America to new heights.

"We are at an important juncture in the future of our nation's transportation infrastructure. ITS America's mission is to bring together the transportation, technology and research communities to further innovation and deployment of intelligent transportation technology," he said. "The board is confident Regina will advance ITS America's advocacy positions by bringing these important policy opportunities to new audiences in dynamic ways."

"It is an honor, professionally and personally, to be joining ITS America at this pivotal moment in the organization's history. Advances in research and technology have ushered in a new era of transportation innovation that is dramatically improving vehicle and highway safety, reducing traffic congestion, improving mobility and creating cost-savings for the traveling public," Hopper said. "Working with ITS America members and partners, we will create initiatives that will encourage further innovation and deployment and broaden the dialogue around how faster adoption of these high-tech solutions can begin to address our nation's transportation challenges."

A 2011 Johnson Fellow at the University of Arkansas, Hopper holds a Juris Doctorate and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Arkansas. She currently serves as chairman of the Miss America Foundation.