December 2013/January 2014 Smart, Safe & Sober Newsletter

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Welcome New Virginia Highway Safety Office Staff!

Michael Nash is the new Law Enforcement Liaison for DMV’s Virginia Highway Safety Office (VAHSO).  He transferred from the Law Enforcement Division at DMV to the VAHSO in mid-October.   Michael recently retired from Chesterfield County Police Department after 31 years of service.  He is a certified crash re-constructionist through the Accreditation Commission of Traffic Accident Re-constructionist (ACTAR), and a Safe Kids nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor (CPSTI).  He was a member of the Association of Law Enforcement Emergency Response Trainers (ALERT). He has approximately 27 years experience in commercial motor vehicle safety, crash reconstruction, traffic safety and enforcement. (Email: Michael.Nash@dmv.virginia.gov)

In November, Melanie Stokes returned to DMV to become the Occupant Protection Program Manager at the VAHSO.  Melanie previously served as the Public Relations and Marketing Manager for the Virginia Retirement System. Before that, she served as DMV’s Public Relations and Media Manager for five years. In this capacity, Melanie worked closely with VAHSO and its partners to promote highway safety messages through a variety of media channels. (Email: Melanie.Stokes@dmv.virginia.gov)

Steven Williams is the new Roanoke Region Program Manager for the VAHSO.  Steven is originally from Ireland, West Virginia.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1993 and served 20 years honorably.  Some of his responsibilities while in the USAF included: program management, supervision over maintenance personnel, safety, writing/evaluating performance reports/awards/decorations, process improvement, and community relations. He attained his MBA from Wilmington College in New Castle, Delaware. Steve is married to Beth Williams – a music teacher for Roanoke City Public Schools—and the couple has two young boys, Noah (5) and Josh (3).  They recently moved to the Roanoke area and are looking forward to establishing roots here and being part of the community. (Email: steven.williams@dmv.virginia.gov)

In September 2013, Senior Trooper Steven Kean (not pictured) joined the Virginia Highway Safety Office (VAHSO) from the Transportation Safety Training Center at VCU where he spent 3 years as an integral part of the Virginia Multi-disciplinary Crash Investigation Team.  He is “on assignment” with the VAHSO from the Virginia Dept. of State Police where he has been since 1996. Sr. Trooper Kean has investigated more than 700 traffic crashes and is a part of the State Police Division 5 Crash Reconstruction Team.  Sr. Trooper Kean will be assisting the Highway Safety Office with developing a statewide crash investigation program for law enforcement officers, teaching specialized courses, and providing technical assistance in crash investigation and reconstruction. (Email: Steven.Kean@dmv.virginia.gov)

Starting October 1, 2013, John Messina (not pictured) also joined the VAHSO from the Transportation Safety Training Center at VCU.  He is a former law enforcement officer and has been involved with occupant protection for about 25 years.  With the birth of his daughter 16 years ago, he became interested in child passenger safety.  John is a nationally certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Instructor and he has served as the Statewide Training Coordinator for Occupant Protection for Children since 2010.  He will continue in that role within the Highway Safety Office at DMV. (Email: John.Messina@dmv.virginia.gov)

Click here for complete contact information for all members of the VAHSO staff.

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