President George W. Bush has nominated former Roadway Express and Roadway Services executive Joseph M. Clapp to be administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Clapp, who most recently served as the chairman of Roadway Services Inc., joined Roadway Express, one of the nation's largest less-than-truckload carriers, in 1967. He became district sales manager in the Carolinas and was later named vice president of Roadway Express. In 1985, he became senior vice president of the parent company, Roadway Services, moving to the post of vice chairman of corporate services later that year. He was named vice chairman and president in 1986, and in 1987, he became chief executive officer and chairman.

Clapp has also served as chairman of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences, was a member of the Federal Highway Research Coordinating Committee, and was chairman of the Regular Common Carrier Conference of the American Trucking Associations. A North Carolina native, he is a graduate of the University of North Carolina.

The Truckload Carriers Association, among others, applauded Clapp's appointment. The group's president, Robert A. Hirsch, said in a statement, "Joe's commitment to highway safety was more than demonstrated during his years at Roadway Express. Moreover, the level of his experience in and understanding of the trucking industry as well as the objectivity that he brings to FMCSA is unparalleled."