David Bell

David Bell, NHTSA’s Director of Governmental Affairs, Policy and Strategic Planning, oversees NHTSA’s Office of Governmental Affairs. He works closely with the Office of the Secretary of Transportation and other modal leadership to ensure strategic alignment, coordination, and focus on transportation safety priorities. 

Prior to joining NHTSA, Bell was director of American Truck Dealers, a division of the National Automobile Dealers Association. While there, he spent the majority of time serving as the director of legislative affairs and as a lead lobbyist. During his time with NADA, Bell advocated for over 3,300 medium- and heavy-duty truck dealers and managed ATD’s annual legislative Fly-In and NextGen efforts. Bell also served as the director of government relations at the American Traffic Safety Services Association where he focused his efforts on eliminating fatalities and serious injuries on America’s roadways by educating policymakers at the federal and state levels of government.  

Bell graduated from Rutgers University and received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and political science.