Who is Flagler School Board member Derek Barrs, FMCSA nominee? What we know.

Flagler County School Board member Derek Barrs is expected to appear at a U.S. Senate confirmation hearing today on his nomination to become administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

President Donald Trump nominated Barrs for the post in March. According to the agency's website, "the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries."

Among other tasks, the "Administration develops standards to test and license commercial motor vehicle drivers."

Here's what we know about the man who could soon be leading the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Who is Derek Barrs?

Barrs grew up in Madison County in North Florida, where he served as a sheriff's deputy.

His LinkedIn profile lists him as the associate vice president for HNTB Corporation.

His background includes serving as a chief for the Florida Highway Patrol and serving on the American Trucking Association Law Enforcement Advisory Board, the Florida Trucking Association, and the Flagler Sheriffs Employee Trust Board of Directors.

He has an associate's degree in criminal justice from North Florida College and his bachelor’s degree in public administration from Flagler College, according to Flagler Schools.

American Trucking Associations support Barrs

The American Trucking Associations supported Barrs' nomination for administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

"Barrs has served in various law enforcement capacities for the Florida Department of Transportation and Florida Highway Patrol," according to the American Trucking Associations statement. "Most recently, he has been a consultant on traffic-related and commercial motor vehicle safety projects across numerous states.  

"He also joined ATA’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board in 2021, and he has been an active member of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance in multiple roles, including serving as the president of the Associate Members, where he represented motor carriers and suppliers to the industry."

What is Derek Barrs' background on the Flagler County School Board?

Barrs has served on the Flagler County School Board in the District 1 seat for less than a year. He ran for the District 3 seat in August of 2024 and lost to Janie Ruddy. But after Sally Hunt resigned in October, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed him to replace her.