Plus appoints former FMCSA Deputy Administrator and Chief Counsel Adams as VP of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs

Plus, a global leader in autonomous driving software solutions, has appointed Earl Adams Jr., Esq., as its Vice President of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs.

Adams will lead Plus’s global public affairs and safety advocacy efforts and advise on regulatory developments as the company partners with global commercial vehicle makers including Scania/MAN/International of TRATON GROUP, Hyundai, and IVECO to bring driverless trucks to market. Adams assumes the position from Wiley Deck, who has left the company to pursue other opportunities.

“After nearly a decade on our autonomous journey, we are on the brink of commercializing autonomous trucks. Earl’s unmatched experience in transportation policy and his ability to connect diverse stakeholder groups will be instrumental to the next phase of our growth. I am grateful for Wiley’s invaluable contributions to our leadership in this field and wish him the best success in his new venture,” said David Liu, CEO and Co-Founder, Plus.

Adams brings over 20 years of extensive experience in regulatory counseling, public policy, and safety advocacy in the transportation industry. He has served as the Deputy Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and before that its Chief Counsel. While at FMCSA, Adams led the agency’s team drafting safety rules of autonomous commercial vehicles and served as its liaison to the Office of the Secretary’s autonomous working group. Adams was also in private law practice, most recently as a partner in the Transportation Regulatory practice at Hogan Lovells, where he led the firm’s autonomous vehicle working group, prior to joining Plus. His time in government included serving as Chief of Staff to Maryland’s former Lt. Governor.

Adams added: “Plus has built a winning position as the autonomy partner of choice to global commercial vehicles makers like TRATON GROUP, Hyundai and Iveco. I am excited to join Plus and work closely with partners, regulators, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth path to safely launch autonomous trucks and make our roads safer for everyone.”
Adams has also previously held distinguished board positions, including serving as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, Vice Chairman of the Bowie State University Board of Visitors, and a board member of the Economic Club of Washington.