Avery Ash to Lead SAFE’s Government Affairs Operation
March 7, 2023 – SAFE today announced the addition of Avery Ash, a leading transportation policy expert and advocate, as Senior Vice President for Government Relations and Special Initiatives. In this role Ash will develop and lead SAFE’s engagement with policymakers and regulators to advance transportation and energy policies, supply chains, and infrastructure that are critical to economic and national security.
“SAFE is engaged on a host of critical transportation and energy issues that require effective coordination across and collaboration with elected officials and policymakers,” said Robbie Diamond, SAFE founder and CEO. “A deep understanding of how these issues intersect and capacity to strategically advocate for action is essential to achieving our mission to accelerate the real-world deployment of secure, resilient, and sustainable solutions. Avery’s knowledge of these issues and track record of successful advocacy will complement our policy work across SAFE’s initiatives.”
Ash’s government affairs portfolio will support SAFE and its associated components –Coalition for Reimagined Mobility, Autonomous Vehicles Initiative, Grid Security Project, and Commanding Heights supply chains initiative – while coordinating efforts with SAFE’s sister organization, the Electrification Coalition. He will play a crucial role in the pending launch of SAFE in Europe, which will focus on the energy security and supply chain challenges exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year.
On the legislative front, the Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Acts included many transportation and provisions advocated by SAFE and its sister organization the Electrification Coalition of the past decade. Oversight and implementation of these landmark bills will be crucial to achieving a successful energy transition – as will responsible permitting reform to facilitate the minerals and electrification projects needed to turn energy transition goals a reality.
About Avery Ash
Ash brings nearly two decades of experience working at the crossroads of transportation innovation and public policy. Prior to joining SAFE, he served as the Vice President of Global Public Policy and Product Strategy at INRIX, the global leader in connected car services and intelligent movement. Previously, Ash was Director of Federal Relations for AAA, where he was responsible for the Association’s federal advocacy on transportation, vehicle technology, mobility, and energy issues.
“We are at an important crossroads in transportation and energy policy for the United States as well as its partners and allies,” said Ash. “Whether it be electrification, vehicle automation, supply chains, or critical materials, SAFE is in a unique position — through deep issue expertise and critical thought leadership — to shape the policies and practices that are required to deliver on the importance and opportunity of this moment.”
Ash serves in numerous leadership positions including as a founding steering committee member for Partners for Automated Vehicle Education; a member of Texas Department of Transportation’s Texas Technology Task Force; and board member at the DC-based arts non-profit, CulturalDC. He has previously served on the executive working group of the World Economic Forum’s initiative on the Future of Urban and Autonomous Mobility, as co-chair of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center’s workgroup on autonomous vehicles; on the Board of Directors of the Electric Drive Transportation Association; and been selected as an Aspen Institute Socrates Scholar and SAFE Energy Security Fellow.
He is a frequent speaker and recognized expert on issues surrounding automated, connected, and electric vehicles; transportation policy; and urban mobility. On Capitol Hill, Ash served as Legislative and Special Assistant for Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, where he focused on financial services and economic development issues. Prior to that he supported Congressional Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce where he managed a portfolio that included technology, transportation, financial services, and anti-counterfeiting issues. He is a graduate of Bowdoin College with a joint degree in Economics and Anthropology.
