Jim Mullen Takes the Helm as Executive Director of CFER to Drive Automation Forward
On May 28, 2025, the Council for Economic Resilience (CFER) announced the appointment of Jim Mullen as its Executive Director, marking a significant step in the organization’s mission to foster economic growth through automation and autonomy. As the leading advocate for technological advancement in the U.S., CFER harnesses the potential of innovative practices to drive economic resilience.
Jim Mullen is well-known in the trucking and transportation sectors, having dedicated decades to introducing autonomous technologies that transform these industries. His history includes serving as the Acting Administrator and Chief Counsel at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), where he was instrumental in establishing safety frameworks for autonomous vehicles. Moreover, he played a critical role in developing the U.S. Department of Transportation's AV 3.0 guidance, which catalyzed investments in autonomous vehicle technologies.
Mullen's extensive corporate background further lends itself to his exceptional qualifications for the leadership position at CFER. He has a notable past as the Chief Legal and Administrative Officer for a pioneering company in autonomous trucking, alongside a decade of experience serving as General Counsel for Werner Enterprises - one of the top truckload transportation firms in the United States.
According to Grayson Brulte, the founder of CFER and the Road to Autonomy, Mullen’s leadership arrives at a crucial moment for both CFER and the American economy. His deep-seated knowledge, industry acumen, and visionary outlook regarding the future of autonomy provide CFER with a strategic advantage. “With Jim at the wheel, CFER is well-equipped to escalate the growth of the autonomy economy, supporting innovative technologies that benefit businesses, employees, and communities,” Brulte remarked.
In his new role, Mullen expressed enthusiasm about leading CFER into an innovative phase, emphasizing the importance of automation and autonomy as vital elements for a robust, resilient economy. He articulated, “CFER has established a strong foundation. It is now time to broaden our collaboration with industries and communities to realize the promise of economic prosperity in an automated future.”
Recent studies underscore the transformative impact that automation might have on economic stability and labor opportunities. A report published in 2024 by McKinsey & Company indicates that embracing autonomy could potentially contribute an astounding $10 trillion to the global GDP by 2030, with the U.S. alone projected to gain between 3.3 to 6 million jobs within automation-driven sectors. Additionally, research from the USDA’s Economic Research Service highlights how robotic harvesting significantly cut labor costs, reflecting a noteworthy decrease in food-at-home inflation from 5% in 2023 to merely 1.2% in 2024. Jobs related to automation exhibited wage growth of 3.8% in 2024, aligning with inflation rates, while retail prices remained comparatively stable.
The Council for Economic Resilience operates as a 501(c)4 organization, dedicated to promoting automation and autonomy to enhance economic prosperity for all Americans. Through initiatives in public education, partnerships with various industries, and support for innovation, CFER champions technologies that bolster the economy, create new job opportunities, and enhance resilience.
For more information on how to support CFER, please visit their website at (https://cfer.org) or contact Dawn Sugasa at [email protected]
Jim Mullen is well-known in the trucking and transportation sectors, having dedicated decades to introducing autonomous technologies that transform these industries. His history includes serving as the Acting Administrator and Chief Counsel at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), where he was instrumental in establishing safety frameworks for autonomous vehicles. Moreover, he played a critical role in developing the U.S. Department of Transportation's AV 3.0 guidance, which catalyzed investments in autonomous vehicle technologies.
Mullen's extensive corporate background further lends itself to his exceptional qualifications for the leadership position at CFER. He has a notable past as the Chief Legal and Administrative Officer for a pioneering company in autonomous trucking, alongside a decade of experience serving as General Counsel for Werner Enterprises - one of the top truckload transportation firms in the United States.
According to Grayson Brulte, the founder of CFER and the Road to Autonomy, Mullen’s leadership arrives at a crucial moment for both CFER and the American economy. His deep-seated knowledge, industry acumen, and visionary outlook regarding the future of autonomy provide CFER with a strategic advantage. “With Jim at the wheel, CFER is well-equipped to escalate the growth of the autonomy economy, supporting innovative technologies that benefit businesses, employees, and communities,” Brulte remarked.
In his new role, Mullen expressed enthusiasm about leading CFER into an innovative phase, emphasizing the importance of automation and autonomy as vital elements for a robust, resilient economy. He articulated, “CFER has established a strong foundation. It is now time to broaden our collaboration with industries and communities to realize the promise of economic prosperity in an automated future.”
Recent studies underscore the transformative impact that automation might have on economic stability and labor opportunities. A report published in 2024 by McKinsey & Company indicates that embracing autonomy could potentially contribute an astounding $10 trillion to the global GDP by 2030, with the U.S. alone projected to gain between 3.3 to 6 million jobs within automation-driven sectors. Additionally, research from the USDA’s Economic Research Service highlights how robotic harvesting significantly cut labor costs, reflecting a noteworthy decrease in food-at-home inflation from 5% in 2023 to merely 1.2% in 2024. Jobs related to automation exhibited wage growth of 3.8% in 2024, aligning with inflation rates, while retail prices remained comparatively stable.
The Council for Economic Resilience operates as a 501(c)4 organization, dedicated to promoting automation and autonomy to enhance economic prosperity for all Americans. Through initiatives in public education, partnerships with various industries, and support for innovation, CFER champions technologies that bolster the economy, create new job opportunities, and enhance resilience.
For more information on how to support CFER, please visit their website at (https://cfer.org) or contact Dawn Sugasa at [email protected]
Topics General Business）
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