Beep, a company working on multi-passenger, electric, autonomous mobility solutions, says it has appointed Stephen Berry as chief safety officer and David Rodriguez as senior director of transit operations.
Berry takes the reins in the newly established CSO position as the company prepares for rapid growth in 2022. This will include new, larger-scale, real-world autonomous shuttle projects and the continued development of unique technologies that elevate safety and overall autonomous capabilities. Berry will leverage his extensive experience in public safety management, including his previous position as general manager for the city of St. Louis’ Metro Public Safety.
Berry commented, “Safety is the cornerstone of autonomous vehicle operations. I am excited to bring my expertise in public safety to ensure our organization continues and builds upon its excellent safety record and leadership in making autonomous mobility solutions a practical reality today. Beep’s robust safety protocols, which include training for first responders and Beep Command Center (BCC) remote monitoring, help ensure our shuttles operate as safely as possible as they navigate along public roadways, in real-world environments with complex testing scenarios. I look forward to further expanding public trust in autonomous mobility across the country.”
As senior director of transit operations, Rodriguez will leverage nearly 15 years of experience to manage several different aspects of Beep’s shuttle deployments, including operational and route planning, attendant staffing and training, first responder training and maintenance of the autonomous fleet.
Rodriguez said, “With my background in fleet operations and maintenance, I am very excited to join the Beep team as part of the company’s rapid expansion into new markets – especially as it continues to build upon the success of its mobility-as-a-service model. What sets Beep apart from other autonomous mobility providers is its deep involvement in all phases of a deployment – from advancing policy and regulation, integration into communities, the onboard experience, the development of new, safer technologies and beyond. My team and I can ensure our clients receive the highest levels of service through sound operational planning and execution.”