The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America) today announced that President and CEO Scott F. Belcher will become CEO of the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) on November 9, 2014 after serving for seven years at the helm of ITS America.

During his tenure, ITS America significantly grew its membership and public profile as the champion and leading voice for the use of technology to create a safer, smarter, more efficient and sustainable transportation system. From vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication and automated vehicle technologies to electronic tolling and payment systems, smart traffic signals and transportation management centers, and new mobility apps and services like ride-sharing, car-sharing, smart parking and real-time transit and traveler information, ITS America has been on the leading edge of advancing and promoting innovative technologies that are changing the future of transportation.

“We are extremely grateful to Scott for his exceptional leadership and vision over the past seven years,” said Kirk Steudle, Director of the Michigan Department of Transportation and Chair of the ITS America Board of Directors. “Coming off the Intelligent Transport Systems World Congress in Detroit last month, ITS America is uniquely positioned to continue bringing the transportation and high-tech communities together to lead the drive for greater innovation and smarter technology and policy solutions. Under Scott’s leadership ITS America has set a new bar when it comes to advancing highway and automotive safety, improving mobility, and advocating for a modern, connected vehicle and infrastructure network.”

According to Belcher, “I’m looking forward to continuing to work with ITS America to strengthen collaboration between the transportation, automotive and telecommunication industries. ITS America is positioned for even greater success and I look forward to witnessing the new technologies that are making our roads safer and our infrastructure smarter in the future.”

ITS America’s Board will begin a national search for its next President & CEO immediately. Executive Vice President Thomas E. Kern will take over as Interim President & CEO beginning November 1, 2014.

Scott joined ITS America in 2007 after a highly successful legal and nonprofit management career, during which he served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, Scott held senior management positions at a number of prominent trade associations, worked in private practice at the law firm of Beveridge & Diamond, and at the Environmental Protection Agency. He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia, a Master of Public Policy from Georgetown University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Redlands.