Earl Adams Jr., who led the drafting of autonomous trucking safety rules as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s former deputy chief, has been hired by Plus, the AV truck tech firm announced Monday.
Adams replaces another former FMCSA deputy as VP of policy and regulatory affairs at the California-based autonomous trucking firm. Wiley Deck, who had served in the role since 2021, left the job at Plus to “pursue other opportunities,” the company said in a press release.
“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,” Plus co-founder and CEO David Liu said in the announcement. “I am grateful for Wiley’s invaluable contributions to our leadership in this field and wish him the best success in his new venture.”
Plus, which partners with Traton Group, Hyundai and Iveco, is hustling alongside its AV trucking tech competitors toward their collective goal of driverless trucking.
Plus technology-equipped vehicles already operate autonomously on public highways, albeit with a safety driver behind the wheel.
Adams, a Biden administration alumnus, replaces a former Trump administration official in Deck. Adams will lead Plus’ global public affairs and safety advocacy, as well as advise on regulatory developments as former President Donald Trump returns to the White House later this month.
Adams, formerly FMCSA’s chief counsel, left the federal agency a year ago to return to his former employer, law firm Hogan Lovells. In private practice last year, he served as a partner in the firm’s Transportation Regulatory practice, leading its autonomous vehicle working group.
He also previously served as chief of staff to Maryland’s former lieutenant governor, Anthony Brown, who told Trucking Dive in 2023 that Adams excelled at tackling thorny challenges.
“I still seek his advice and counsel,” said Brown, who now serves as the state attorney general.
