Senate Commerce Committee Approves Nomination of Mark Rosekind to Head NHTSA
The Senate Commerce Committee approved the nomination of Dr. Mark R. Rosekind, on December 9, 2014, to become the next Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Full approval by the Senate could come in the next several weeks. Rosekind would succeed David Strickland, who resigned as the NHTSA administrator in January of 2014.
Rosekind has served for the past four years as a member of the National Transportation Safety Board. Rosekind focused on accident investigations and human fatigue in his role at the NTSB. Prior to joining the NTSB, Rosekind founded a consulting firm that specializes in fatigue management and worked for NASA’s Ames Research Center directing the Fatigue Countermeasures Program.
Since Strickland’s resignation in January, NHTSA has been involved in several high profile recalls and safety investigations. NHTSA’s Acting Administrator David Friedman testified before both Senate and House Committees related to the GM ignition-switch recall earlier this year. Upon approval, the next administrator will step into a position that is currently under significant scrutiny and involved in several ongoing recalls.