NHTSA is lead by the Administrator and a Deputy Administrator. Seven Associate Administrators (AA) oversee the day-to-day operations and ensure the NHTSA mission is carried out.

NHTSA's Deputy Administrator plays an integral role in assuring that NHTSA's message of safety on our Nation's highways reaches citizens all over the country.

Safety Performance Standards -- Associate Administrator L. Robert Shelton has a B.S. in Business Management and a MBA in Transportation. He and his staff are responsible for making sure U.S. passenger vehicles are as safe as possible. The Vehicle Safety Standards program requires all vehicles, manufactured or imported, in the U.S. meet strict safety requirements. The New Car Assessment program tests the crashworthiness of new cars using front and side crashes. Check out our Crash Test Area to learn more about this really cool stuff! Fuel Economy program assures the fuel economy of vehicles on our road and Theft Prevention establishes standards to reduce motor vehicle thefts.

Plans and Policy -- Associate Administrator William (Bill) H. Walsh, Jr. has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a M.S. in Engineering Management. He and his staff are responsible for making sure the money in NHTSA gets to the right places. He also makes sure NHTSA follows Congressional mandates, gives long-range planning and analysis, and develops NHTSA policies.

State and Community Services -- Associate Administrator Adele Derby has a B.S. in Mathematics and a M.S. in Public Administration. She and her staff are responsible for the 10 NHTSA Regions throughout the United States and for several state and community grant programs that the Agency is in charge of. Her professional experience includes being an instructor at Florida State University! Maybe she has all the answers to our Safety Challenge!