By Gary Biller, NMA Chairman of the Board
When Stewart Price resigned from the NMA at the end of this past September to pursue other
opportunities, it broke a remarkable record of longevity. Over the first 40 years of the
organization’s existence, two individuals served as president: Jim Baxter (for the first 30 of
those years) and me. Stewart’s departure resulted in requisite introspection by the board of
directors, and a leadership solution that became immediately apparent.
The NMA’s mission from Day 1 has been to advocate for the rights of motorists. But inherent
with any ongoing enterprise — and the NMA is an enterprise — is the requirement for robust
business operations. A thriving NMA is necessary to fight on behalf of this and future
generations of drivers. Knowing that our focus must be sharpened in both advocacy and
operations, and understanding that we already have the right people on staff, the board
appointed Jay Beeber as Executive Director – Policy, and Lauren Matthews as Executive
Director – Operations to jointly run the nonprofit company.
As co-executive directors, Jay and Lauren will apply their professional skills and experience to
their respective areas of responsibility. Just as important, they will work closely together, and
with the board of directors, to forge an NMA that has a strong voice in shaping public policy
associated with driving freedoms.
I’ve known Jay for more than 12 years. We met when he was opposing punitive stop-sign
cameras in California state parks, and our relationship continued during his years of running
Safer Streets L.A. as executive director where, among other accomplishments, Jay was
instrumental in Los Angeles discontinuing its red-light camera program in 2011. He continues to
be recognized as a leading motorist advocate by state and federal legislators, by analysts at
transportation agencies, and by the media, to which his interviews are always in demand.
Recently, Jay was appointed as a full voting member of the Transportation Research Board
Traffic Law Enforcement Committee, which gives the NMA a seat at the table for policy work
that will ultimately affect everyone on U.S. roads.
Lauren brings over 15 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and donor
development. She has managed teams of hundreds of volunteers and coordinated efforts
within membership organizations to lead growth initiatives. Lauren also founded and served as
executive director of a nonprofit food share program, and has sat on the Board of Directors for
numerous other nonprofits. Lauren’s administrative skills became immediately apparent when
she joined the NMA within the past year.
Both are already working on major initiatives. To more effectively address key issues being
thrust upon motorists today — from renewed federal efforts to fund red-light and speed
camera programs at local jurisdictions, and unjustified lowering of speed limits to “20 is plenty”
levels, to the proposed banning of the ubiquitous right-turn-on-red driving maneuver.
Jay is in the beginning stages of developing a national network of advocates to expand the
NMA’s effectiveness at tracking and influencing proposed laws and policies at the state and
local levels. He is also working closely with Rob Talley, the NMA’s Washington lobbyist, to
impact federal activity.
Lauren is reshaping the NMA’s communications strategy, from brand promotion to the use of
social media and other marketing channels to increase our presence with, and support from,
the driving public. She is nearing completion of a complete redesign of our flagship website,
Motorists.org, which is nearing completion, and is overseeing the implementation of a client
relationship management platform specific to membership associations. The CRM will improve
our ability to communicate and follow up with members, donors, advocates, policy makers, and
anyone who can help further our efforts on behalf of motorists.
Lauren and Jay are leading the NMA by actions and accomplishments. Having sat in that chair
previously, I’m pleased to be at their service — and I hope you are too — as they work together
to establish a bigger role for drivers in determining the nation’s transportation policies over the
next several years.
