Having spent decades in the transportation field, Ian Grossman is ready to take on a new challenge. He was recently selected to be AAMVA’s new president and CEO, taking the organization’s reins from Anne Ferro.

“I think AAMVA is in an extraordinary position right now,” says Grossman. “And we have an opportunity to continue that momentum in the strategic direction that the board has established for us and accelerate some of the key initiatives. The focus will not be on new initiatives and extreme changes, rather the continuity of that focus in the key areas that we’ve already been working in.”

Grossman is prepared to carry through on those key areas, including the expansion of the mobile driver’s license, evaluating the future of electronic titling and AAMVA’s expanded footprint in the identity management space. He also intends to support the members by “always making sure that the core services that the implementer is relying on, day in and day out, continue to be delivered. Through collaboration and best practices, we will deliver the technology infrastructure that members rely on every day to do customer transactions and make sure that that is reliable, secure and efficient.”

Grossman began working in transportation in the early 2000s in Vermont, then he moved to Washington, D.C., where he worked with the federal Department of Transportation, Department of Justice and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. He joined AAMVA as head of government affairs in 2009. Each of these assignments contributed to his belief in the importance and universality of the field.

“Transportation touches everybody,” he says. “There are so few public policy areas that really impact the quality of life, our national security, our economy and our safety, regardless of your economic status. No matter where you live, no matter the type of life you live, you are impacted by transportation policy decisions. So, to work in a space that’s so meaningful and universally connected to people’s quality of life is a rewarding and exciting place to work in public service and public policy.”

While Grossman says that he doesn’t have plans to diverge from the program of initiatives that is already underway, he is happy to hear from AAMVA staff—and the membership—about ways to improve.

“I’m looking forward to hearing from all members of the community—jurisdiction members, associate members and stakeholders. There are no rules about where a great idea can come from,” Grossman says. “Even though we have a solid foundation and we’re heading in the right direction, it doesn’t mean that we don’t want to hear other great ideas that might be out there that can help get us where we want to go.

“AAMVA is at its best when it’s serving as the connective tissue to bring our members together to better serve their missions.”