[co-author: Amanda Frankel]

Raymond Martinez, the current Chair and Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (“MVC”), is to be appointed by President Trump as the next Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (“FMCSA”). The FMCSA is a separate administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation and is tasked primarily with ensuring safety in motor carrier operations through strong safety regulation enforcement.

Mr. Martinez has served under Governor Christie since 2010. In his role as Chief Administrator, Mr. Martinez directs 2,400 employees at 71 MVC locations across New Jersey. He also serves as Chairman of the Motor Vehicle Commission Board, a policy-making body comprised of government and public members. Governor Christie appointed Mr. Martinez as an Executive Branch Member of the State Planning Commission, where he is called upon to represent state government in the oversight of environmental protection issues, land use, development and redevelopment.  In 2015, Mr. Martinez was selected by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (“AAMVA”) to serve as a member of its International Board of Directors.

Mr. Martinez has been active in the public arena for more than twenty years. From 2005 to 2009, he served as the Deputy U.S. Chief of Protocol and Diplomatic Affairs for the U.S. Department of State, and the White House under President George W. Bush. As such, Mr. Martinez was responsible for managing five operational divisions: Diplomatic Affairs, Foreign Visits, Ceremonial Events, Blair House, and Administration. Between 2000 and 2005, Mr. Martinez served as the Commissioner for the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles as well as Assistant General Counsel for the Long Island Power Authority. During President Reagan’s administration, he served as Deputy Director for Scheduling and Advance for First Lady Nancy Reagan. He also held roles in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, within the New York State Senate, and as a private attorney.