Derrick Waters, CEO of Coach USA, has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking.
Waters will report to the Secretary of Transportation and fellow committee members with recommendations on how to tackle this nationwide crisis.
“I am honored to have been appointed to the United States Department of Transportation Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking,” Waters said in a statement. “At Coach USA, we strive to make a positive and lasting impact on the communities we serve, and the mission of this advisory committee closely aligns with those goals. I take this responsibility seriously, and I look forward to collaborating with my fellow committee members on trafficking awareness and prevention initiatives.”
Waters took the helm of Coach USA in March.
This designation reflects Waters’ and Coach USA’s commitment to passenger safety and passion for social responsibility within the transportation industry, Coach USA said in a statement announcing the appointment.
Will make policy recommendations
Made up of 15 leaders in the aviation, bus, law enforcement, maritime, port, rail and trucking sectors, the advisory committee was established to address human trafficking and all those affected by it. Alongside the other committee members, Waters will leverage his expertise to provide policy recommendations and strategies to the Secretary of Transportation on how to combat this crime.
Coach USA is also partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking through their Bussing on the Lookout program. This effort equips all drivers, supervisors, managers, and dispatchers with the knowledge to identify and report potential signs of human trafficking.
Coach USA is one of the nation’s largest transportation companies, with 2,250 vehicles and more than 3,000 employees. The company also owns and operates Megabus, which provides affordable, express bus service for intercity travel.
The Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking comprises these 15 members, who will serve for the life of the committee. The group represents a cross-section of stakeholders from industry and labor.
- Chairperson: Rabbi David Saperstein, Director Emeritus and Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy, Religious Action Center on Reform Judaism
- Vice Chair: Esther Goetsch, Executive Director, Truckers Against Trafficking
- Earlyne Alexander, Supplier Diversity Compliance Manager, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
- Sam Cho, Commissioner, Port of Seattle
- Casey French, Deputy District Attorney, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
- Heather Healy, Director of Employee Assistance Programs, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, AFL-CIO
- Annika Huff, survivor advocate expert
- Michael Krumm, Lieutenant Colonel, Michigan State Police
- James Lewis, Communications Manager, Amtrak Police Department
- Shamere McKenzie, Sun Gate Foundation CEO and National Human Trafficking Hotline Training Manager
- Leslie Richards, CEO, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
- Derrick Waters, CEO, Coach USA
- Brad White, Associate Director of Safety, Werner Enterprises
- Tiffany Wlazlowski Neuman, Vice President, Public Affairs, NATSO
- Benito Ybarra, Chief Audit and Compliance Officer, Texas Department of Transportation
