Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council has appointed David D. Teater of Spring Lake, Mich., as Senior Director, Transportation Strategic Initiatives. Teater will lead the NSC’s advocacy initiatives to reduce deaths and injuries associated with teen driving and distracted driving. In January, the NSC became the first organization to call for a nationwide ban on all forms of cell phone use while driving.

“We are fortunate to have a person with David’s depth and breadth of experience joining the Council to lead this effort,” said John Ulczycki, NSC Group Vice President for Research, Communications & Advocacy.

Mr. Teater’s career has included serving as CEO and president of a $25 million advertising and PR firm; founder, president and CEO of a strategic consulting firm that served all of the leading auto companies; and CEO of a manufacturing company that produced architectural products. Over the past two years, Teater served as a board member, investor and consultant to Aegis Mobility, a company developing technology solutions to distracted driving.

Teater joined the NSC because of his passion to save lives, particularly related to distracted driving. Five years ago his 12-year-old son, Joe, died in a crash when the Teater car was struck at an intersection by a young woman who ran a red light while talking on a cell phone. Since then, Teater has made it his life’s work to advocate for the need to stop cell phone use while driving. David has spoken to many groups and appeared before several legislatures, advocating for bans on cell phone use while driving.

The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads, through leadership, research, education and advocacy.