Together for Safer Roads Honors Visionaries in Road Safety 

Robin Hutcheson and Jim Olson Honored for Significant Contributions to Road Safety

Together for Safer Roads (TSR), a leading international NGO focused on building cross-sector partnerships to enhance fleet trucking safety, announced the distinguished recipients of the 2024 Annual Global Vision Zero Awards. These awards recognize outstanding individuals and organizations working to make our roads safer for all.

Robin Hutcheson, former Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will receive the Global Vision Zero Leadership Award. Jim Olson, former Vice President of Safety at Republic Services, will be honored with this year’s Lenin Fierro Vision Zero Fleet Advocacy Award.  The honors were presented at Together for Safer Roads’ Member Reception in New York City on October 29, 2024. Following the event, on October 30, the annual Vision Zero Fleet Safety Forum took place in Queens, NY.

Robin Hutcheson served as the FMSCA Administrator between 2022 and 2024, leading research and regulatory administration of more than 1,200 employees. Previously, she was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy for the U.S. DOT, where her work included spearheading the development of the National Roadway Safety Strategy and orchestrating the policy adoption of zero fatalities on the nation’s roadways. She also developed key components of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. In addition to receiving the Global Vision Zero Leadership Award, Robin delivered the keynote address at the Vision Zero Fleet Safety Forum.

Jim Olson’s career spans over 30 years in road safety and environmental excellence, including the last 24 as the Vice President of Safety at Republic Services. Throughout his career, he has exhibited authentic leadership, inspiring others to build dynamic cultures that prioritize honesty, dedication, and a passion for saving lives on our nation’s roadways. Jim is a longtime chair of the Grand Canyon Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Safety Committee Chair Emeritus of the National Waste & Recycling Association, and served on the Board of Directors of Together for Safer Roads for almost a decade. Recently retired from Republic Services, he is embarking on his next chapter in safety, leadership, and community engagement. The award being presented to him is named in honor of the late Lenin Fierro, a former NYC DCAS employee and long-time safety advocate. It is given annually to an individual whose leadership, positivity, and personal dedication transforms organizations and helps them drive towards Vision Zero.

“We are thrilled to honor Robin Hutcheson and Jim Olson, whose important work has resulted in significant progress in road and fleet safety, reflecting our organization’s mission to create safer roads for all,” said Peter Goldwasser, Executive Director of Together for Safer Roads. “Their careers demonstrate the importance and impact of dedicated leadership as we strive to create safer fleets and save lives.”

Robin Hutcheson commented, “Receiving the Global Vision Zero Leadership Award is a great honor and I thank all my colleagues who share the commitment to road safety. I am excited to join Together for Safer Roads and all safety partners to increase momentum to save lives on our roads”.

Jim Olson reflected, “I’m very proud to receive the Lenin Fierro Vision Zero Fleet Advocacy Award and be part of this incredible group dedicated to Vision Zero. The impact we have demonstrates the exponential power of collaboration as we work to make roads safer for all.”

 

 

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