About DSV
DRIVE SMART Virginia is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on the principle that traffic fatalities and injuries are preventable. Through education and outreach programs, DRIVE SMART Virginia promotes traffic safety in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founded in 1995, the organization is led by a diverse Board of Directors including safety advocates, associations, corporate Virginia, and law enforcement.
Mission
DRIVE SMART Virginia is dedicated to raising traffic safety awareness among all road users in order to save lives and reduce injuries on the roadways of Virginia.
Our mission is advanced by fostering community partnerships, offering interactive simulator programs, giving workplace and school presentations, attending outreach events, advocating for traffic safety initiatives, and conducting an annual Distracted Driving Summit. DRIVE SMART Virginia also creates, designs, and distributes educational campaigns and materials. Learn about the DRIVE SMART Virginia Team.
History
DRIVE SMART Virginia was founded in 1995 by six of Virginia’s insurance companies: Allstate, GEICO, Nationwide, State Farm, USAA, and Virginia Farm Bureau.
Accountability
Last year, DRIVE SMART Virginia reached thousands of Virginians with our traffic safety message. Take a moment to learn more about our efforts by reading our Annual Report.
DRIVE SMART Virginia is a Better Business Bureau charity seal holder.
- Michael Allen, Virginia Automobile Dealers Association (Secretary)
- Robert Bradshaw, Independent Insurance Agents of Virginia (Emeritus)
- Tonya Eaton, Rockingham Insurance
- Joel Feldman, EndDD.org (Emeritus)
- Richard Forrester, Progressive Insurance
- Annette Hilliard, GEICO
- Ashley Sanford Kilian, Sanford Insurance (Emeritus)
- Dr. Charlie Klauer, Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (Emeritus)
- Erick Kuhlmann, Columbia Gas of Virginia (Vice Chair)
- Bryan Marangoni, USAA (Board Chair)
- Judi Ryan-Phillips, State Farm Insurance
- Jeff Von Rehder, Enterprise Leasing Co. of Norfolk/Richmond, LLC
- Dana Schrad, Virginia Association of the Chiefs of Police (Emeritus)
- David Tenembaum, Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance (Treasurer)
DeSean Gault / Teen & Special Projects Manager
DeSean Gault joined DRIVE SMART Virginia in January 2024 as one of our Partnership Coordinators. Now as our Teen & Special Projects Manager, DeSean oversees our Teen Driver programming, as well as Junior Speedbusters. This is carried out through the fostering of partnerships, facilitating exhibitions/presentations at schools or other organizations and by engaging with the community.
Prior to this role, DeSean served as an External Security Officer for state government employees and officials, bringing his keen eye for detail, awareness and safety to DSV. DeSean graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Bachelor of Music degree, which afforded him opportunities to tour nationally and globally as a professional musician. In his spare time, DeSean can be found practicing music, playing soccer, serving at his local church or spending time with his lovely wife and pups.
Contact DeSean Gault at desean.gault@drivesmartva.org
Marcus Henderson / Program Manager
Marcus Henderson joined Drive Smart Virginia in July 2024 as our Program Manager. In this role, Marcus oversees the coordination of public events and serves as Drive Smart Virginia’s primary contact for event organization and participation.
Prior to joining Drive Smart Virginia, Marcus held diverse roles, including Loan Officer and Enterprise Rental Manager. He has a strong background in community service, where he assisted dislocated workers and returning citizens in gaining employment opportunities. Additionally, Marcus is a dedicated boxing coach at Vintage boxing gym, where he imparts discipline and teaches the fundamentals of American boxing to a wide range of ages, from 5-year-olds to individuals aged 70 and above.
Contact Marcus Henderson at marcus.henderson@drivesmartva.org
Leah Hostetler / Senior Grants Administration & Operations Manager
Leah Hostetler joined DRIVE SMART Virginia full-time in 2021. As Senior Grants Administration and Operations Manager, she handles fiscal operations, day-to-day office functions, and grants management. She also coordinates DRIVE SMART Virginia’s online store, which provides free materials to individuals, schools, and organizations.
Previously, Leah worked in administrative and records management positions for more than thirty years. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Contact Leah Hostetler at leah@drivesmartva.org
Rich Jacobs / Senior Communications Manager
Rich Jacobs joined DRIVE SMART Virginia in May 2015. As our Senior Communications Manager, Rich is DRIVE SMART Virginia’s primary contact for the public and the media.
Before joining DRIVE SMART Virginia, Rich was News Director for a group of five radio stations in Richmond. He has received awards from NASA, Richmond Fire & EMS, the Navy League, and has won three awards from the Virginia Association of Broadcasters. Rich served in the United States Coast Guard.
Contact Rich Jacobs at rich.jacobs@drivesmartva.org.
Kristin Pettway / Executive Director
Kristin Pettway is Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia, an organization she has worked at for over 16 years. During her time with the organization, Kristin has managed commercial motor vehicle safety programs, created and managed various interactive teen driving programs, developed traffic safety campaigns and collaterals, managed community and sports partnerships, and recently launched DRIVE SMART Maryland. Kristin also manages the annual Distracted Driving Summit and handles most of the organization’s event planning. Her favorite part of the job is collaborating with partners toward saving lives on the roadways.
Prior to DRIVE SMART Virginia, Kristin worked as a Program Coordinator for Rutgers Cooperative Extension for several years, helping provide New Jersey’s farmers with tools to ensure their future. She graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Science degree. She volunteers in her spare time with Henrico Humane Society.
Contact Kristin Pettway at kristin.pettway@drivesmartva.org.
Kim Quann / Strategic Partnership Manager
Kim Quann joined the team at DRIVE SMART Virginia in March 2024. As our Strategic Partnership Manager, Kim oversees the Virginia Partners for Safe Driving initiative and works to strengthen our relationships in the business community. She also manages the teen driver simulator program and is involved in the marketing activities of the organization.
Prior roles have been in local television news, sales, and business development. A native of Virginia, Kim graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in Communications. Kim resides in Richmond and enjoys cheering on her son at travel soccer games and attending her daughter’s volleyball games.
Contact Kim Quann at kimquann@drivesmartva.org.