Robby Wehagen, who began at the American Traffic Safety Services Association’s (ATSSA) Government Relations Department as associate director in 2014, was recently promoted to director. In this position, Wehagen is responsible for educating decision-makers about roadway safety and advocating for roadway safety infrastructure policies and funding. He meets with approximately 200 representatives and their staffs a year to discuss roadway safety infrastructure, share the impact that ATSSA member companies have on their districts and states, and ensure continued support of ATSSA members in their districts.
Wehagen worked with Vice President of Government Relations Nate Smith to represent ATSSA’s membership on Capitol Hill for the passage of the five-year, $305 billion transportation bill that was passed by Congress last December. The passage of “Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act” (FAST Act) includes significant roadway safety infrastructure investments that will substantially improve the safety of the nation’s roadways for motorists. Keeping up the momentum on Capitol Hill, he’s already meeting with representatives to work for the next five years of funding when the FAST Act expires in 2020.
With a passion for politics as early as 16-years-old, Wehagen, of Cleveland, Ohio, chose to enter a one-year program where he went to high school early in the morning before heading off to serve as a Congressional page (messenger) in D.C. He went on to graduate from Furman University in Greenville, S.C. before moving back to D.C. and making it his home. His career in government has included a strong emphasis on transportation advocacy from the beginning, including his employment as a legislative aide with former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica (R-Fla.), who is currently a member of the committee. Wehagen was a legislative assistant for Rep. Lou Barletta (R-Pa.), who serves on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He was also a staff assistant for the Committee on House Administration and a senior legislative assistant for Congressman Tom Rice (R-S.C.).
Wehagen and his wife, Stefanie, live in D.C.
