During its 76th Annual International Conference in San Diego, Calif., in late August 2009, the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) unanimously elected Charles “Chuck” O’Donnell, registrar, New Brunswick Department of Public Safety, Motor Vehicle Branch, Chair of the AAMVA International Board of Directors.
“We are honored to have Charles O’Donnell as our chair,” said Neil Schuster, president and CEO, AAMVA. “With a formidable background in the public service arena, Chuck has demonstrated his skills as an articulate and incisive team leader—skills that will benefit motor vehicle administrators across North America in a time of challenging state economies.”
O’Donnell has chosen “North America…Standing strong together.” as a theme during his year as Chair of AAMVA’s Board. With a focus on fiscal responsibility, he will work towards mutual support among AAMVA members on inter-jurisdictional issues and will reach out to industry partners to build strength through effective collaboration. O’Donnell’s term as chair concludes at the 77th Annual International Conference in Saint John, New Brunswick, August 2010. O’Donnell also will serve as President of the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators (CCMTA) this year.
After attending the University of New Brunswick from 1969 to 1974 Chuck O’Donnell joined the New Brunswick public service in August of 1974 working with Correctional Services, within the Department of Justice. Over the next 19 years Chuck worked initially as a correctional officer, then as a case worker and then as Superintendent in various New Brunswick correctional institutions, both adult and young offender. In 1993 he moved to the Policy, Planning and Evaluation Branch of the Department of Solicitor General and in 2000 he became Director of the Licensing and Registration Branch of the Department of Public Safety. In 2004 he was named Registrar of Motor Vehicles and Director of the New Brunswick Motor Vehicle Branch, where he is still employed. O’Donnell also completed the three-week State & Local Government course at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, at Harvard University in 2008. O’Donnell is active with both AAMVA and the CCMTA Boards.
Founded in 1933, AAMVA actively promotes traffic safety and uniformity among North American jurisdictions. Representing chief motor vehicle administrators and law enforcement officials, the association develops uniform programs in driver licensing, vehicle titling/registration and motor carrier services, among others.
For more information, visit www.aamva.org.