Virtual Event
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hosted a series of discussions about road safety.
The week of September 14, we hosted seven sessions over four days highlighting key areas of road safety over the last five decades and discussing the challenges ahead. You can view recordings of all the NHTSA expert panel discussions by clicking on the links with the session descriptions below.
Monday, September 14
NHTSA’s Occupant Protection and Impaired Driving Programs
This panel will discuss NHTSA’s initiatives to promote seat belt and child passenger restraint use, and the prevention of drug- and alcohol-impaired driving. NHTSA experts will highlight current challenges and the future of these programs.
WELCOME
James C. Owens
NHTSA Deputy Administrator
PANEL DISCUSSION
Robert Ritter
Director, Office of Impaired Driving and Occupant Protection
Jacob Enriquez
Mathematical Statistician
Mary Byrd
Highway Safety Specialist
Laura Dunn
Highway Safety Specialist
Rory Austin
Division Chief, Office of Behavioral Research
Raj Subramanian
Director, Office of Traffic Records and Analysis
Jennifer Davidson
Highway Safety Specialist
Nicole Booker
Highway Safety Specialist
DeReece Smither
Research Psychologist
Monday, September 14
The Evolution of NHTSA’s Defect Investigation and Recall Processes
A look at advances in investigating vehicle and equipment defects and overseeing recalls. The panel will discuss new investigative risk-based processes and how record numbers of recalls are monitored. Examples of high-profile recalls, like Takata air bags, and emerging trends in vehicle technology will also be discussed.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Stephen Ridella
Director, Office of Defects Investigation
Gregory Magno
Chief, Vehicle Defects Division A
Joshua Neff
Chief, Recalls Management Division
Tuesday, September 15
Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Services, and the National 911 Program – Critical to NHTSA’s Mission
The panel will discuss how NHTSA supports our Law Enforcement and EMS partners. NHTSA experts will detail the critical roles Law Enforcement, EMS, and 911 play in fulfilling NHTSA’s safety mission.
WELCOME
Jack Danielson
NHTSA Executive Director
PANEL DISCUSSION
Keith Williams
Division Chief, Enforcement & Justice Services
Wil Price
Highway Safety Specialist
Bill O'Leary
Highway Safety Specialist
Gamunu Wijetunge
Highway Safety Specialist
Katherine Elkins
Highway Safety Specialist
Tuesday, September 15
NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program
A discussion of how NCAP and NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings have influenced vehicle safety, the role the program plays in advancing innovation and design, and the future of NCAP.
WELCOME
Ryan Posten
Associate Administrator, Rulemaking
PANEL DISCUSSION
Jenny Dang
Division Chief, New Car Assessment
Mai Lan Lee
General Engineer
Johanna Lowrie
Program Analysist
William Millis
General Engineer
Wednesday, September 16
The Evolution and Role of Technology in Supporting NHTSA’s Mission to Save Lives
A showcase of NHTSA’s vehicle safety efforts that will highlight how the agency uses science, data, and engineering to inform its policy, research, and consumer education efforts to address roadway safety.
WELCOME
Jonathan Morrison
NHTSA Chief Counsel
PANEL DISCUSSION
Cem Hatipoglu
Associate Administrator, Vehicle Safety Research
Dee Williams
Deputy Associate Administrator, Vehicle Safety Research
Larry Blincoe
Director, Regulatory Analysis & Evaluation
Shashi Kuppa
Division Chief, Special Vehicle and Systems Division
Allison Louden
Mechanical Engineer
Rodney Rudd
Mechanical Engineer
Elizabeth Mazzae
General Engineer
Sebastian Silvani
Program Manager
Thursday, September 17
Where the Rubber Meets the Road: NHTSA’s Regional Operations and Program Delivery
A discussion of how NHTSA’s Grants Management and Regional Offices impact the agency’s safety efforts in the States and communities through grant administration, program delivery, and technical assistance.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Richard Simon
Regional Administrator
Barbara Sauers
Director, Office of Grants Management and Operations
Susan deCourcy
Regional Administrator
Brian Huynh
Regional Program Manager
Thursday, September 17
Secretary’s Remarks and Deputy Administrator’s Keynote
Closed captioning will be provided for these events. People with disabilities who need additional accommodations should send a request to NHTSA.Communication@dot.gov no later than Sept. 10.
Through the Years
A look at NHTSA Administrators through the years.