NEW YORK (TIP): The entire Sam Schwartz team congratulated Meera Joshi on being appointed by President Biden as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an agency of the United States Department of Transportation. She will serve as the Acting Administrator until an Administrator is appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. Ms. Joshi will help lead a staff of more than a thousand in their vital mission of reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities related to commercial trucks and buses.

Prior to this appointment, Meera had been a Principal and New York General Manager at Sam Schwartz since early 2020. In this capacity, she spearheaded the office’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, working with the MTA, NYCDOT, business improvement districts, and other actors across the region to ensure the safe movement of goods and people. She has been a leading advocate for harnessing data, regulation, and design to make just, sustainable transportation a cornerstone of the nation’s recovery.

Meera previously served as Chair and CEO of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). There, she spearheaded novel regulations, resolving challenges brought on by the rapid growth of rideshare services while simultaneously enhancing passengers’ safe access to a wide range of new mobility. Under her tenure, New York became the first city in the nation to mandate the reporting of granular trip data from large app operators like Uber and Lyft. Much of this information is now publicly available and an invaluable asset for transportation planners.

“While we are sad to see Meera leave us, we are tremendously proud and excited for her next chapter,” said Samuel I. Schwartz, PE, Founder and CEO of Sam Schwartz. “We asked her to join our firm because of her exemplary record of innovation, creativity, and dedication to transportation policies that serve the public good—values we all share. Without question, our country’s roadways will be made safer thanks to her leadership.”

“Meera did an extraordinary job leading our team of professionals as they responded to formidable challenges over the past year,” said Michael A. Shamma, PE, President of Sam Schwartz. “Her experience at the intersection of transportation and technology has been a vital part of our efforts planning the future of safe, sustainable, equitable movement. The entire Sam Schwartz family will be cheering her on as she works with President Biden, Secretary-Designate Buttigieg, and the rest of the Administration to build back better.”