Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Washington, DC ยท Founded 1989

Alliance advancing highway and auto safety through advocacy, research, and coalition-building with consumer and insurance groups

Primary audience
Policymakers and public
Work area
Advocacy and research
Topic
Highway and auto safety
Contact
Catherine Chase
Website Contact

About Organization

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety promotes highway safety programs to preserve life and property through public and private initiatives. Based in Washington, DC, the organization operates with 8 employees and 21 volunteers, maintaining annual revenue of approximately $2.5 million. Founded in 1989, it serves as an alliance of consumer, medical, public health, law enforcement, and insurance organizations.

What They Focus On

Legislative Advocacy

Promotes federal and state laws to strengthen highway safety standards, vehicle technologies, and enforcement of traffic regulations

Safety Research

Analyzes crash data, vehicle safety performance, and policy effectiveness to inform evidence-based advocacy and public education

Stakeholder Collaboration

Unites diverse coalition of consumer, medical, law enforcement, and insurance organizations to advance shared highway safety priorities

Financial Information

Form 990 data showing organizational financial health and growth.

Revenue (2024)

$2.5M

-3.1% vs 2023

Expenses (2024)

$2.2M

+5.3% vs 2023

Assets (2024)

$5.7M

+26.3% vs 2023

Employees (2024)

8

-20% vs 2023

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Employees
2024 $2,509,732 $2,241,407 $5,672,075 8
2023 $2,590,423 $2,129,566 $4,489,665 10
2022 $2,868,261 $2,001,313 $4,219,455 8
2020 $1,712,265 $1,911,388 $2,635,720 8
2019 $2,067,310 $1,898,727 $2,927,764 8
2018 $3,157,074 $2,212,302 $2,935,830 10

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. All figures in USD.

How They Work

Learn more
  • 01

    Research Analysis

    Examine crash data, safety technologies, and legislative trends to identify priority highway safety issues

  • 02

    Coalition Engagement

    Mobilize alliance members including consumer advocates, medical professionals, and insurance stakeholders around shared goals

  • 03

    Policy Development

    Draft and promote federal and state legislation to strengthen highway safety standards and regulations

  • 04

    Public Outreach

    Communicate findings and recommendations to policymakers, media, and the public to advance safety priorities

Programs and Initiatives

Services and programs offered by Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Highway Safety Advocacy

Promotes federal and state legislation to strengthen highway safety standards and reduce traffic deaths and injuries

Auto Safety Research

Conducts analysis and publishes reports on vehicle safety technologies, crash data, and effectiveness of safety measures

Coalition Building

Unites consumer groups, medical professionals, law enforcement, and insurance companies to advance shared safety priorities

Public Education

Develops communications and resources to inform policymakers and the public about highway safety issues and solutions

Team & Leadership

Meet the people behind Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety.

CC

Catherine Chase

President
Full-time
Compensation: $367,956
SK

Shaun Kildare

Sr. Director of Research
Full-time
Compensation: $157,013
LD

Lisa Drew

Director of Administration
Full-time
Compensation: $129,655
SA

Shane Austin

Communications Director
Full-time
Compensation: $104,298
MM

Muhammad Masood

Director of State Govt Relations
Full-time
Compensation: $103,976
PK

Peter Kurdock

General Council
Full-time
Compensation: $199,938
TG

Tara Gill

Sr. Dir. Advocacy & Legislation
Full-time
Compensation: $165,385
AM

Andrew McGuire

Director
DW

Deanna Wathington MD MPH FAAFP

Director
EM

Erin Martinko

Director
GL

Gerald L Zimmerman

Director
JE

Janette E Fennell

Director
JA

Jennifer A Morrison

Director
JC

Joan Claybrook

Director
MJ

Mary Jagim MSN RN CEN FAEN

Director
NR

Nathan Riedel

Director
RH

Ralf Hotchkiss

Director
SW

Stephen W Hargarten MD MPH

Director
SM

Steven M Eglish

Director
TK

Thomas Karol

Director
VC

Vauhn Cleveland

Director
WC

Wayne Cimons

Director

Milestones

1989

Organization Founded

1989

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety established to unite safety and insurance stakeholders

1990

Tax-Exempt Status Granted

1990

Received IRS recognition as 501(c)(4) social welfare organization focused on highway safety

2018

Peak Revenue Year

2018

Achieved highest annual revenue of $3.2 million to support expanded advocacy and research programs

2024

Sustained Operations

2024

Continued highway safety advocacy with $2.5 million budget and 8-person professional staff

Associated People

Board members, advisors, and key contributors

Board of Directors

AM
Andrew McGuire Director 0.50 hrs/week
CO
Chris Olson Vice Chair 0.50 hrs/week
DW
Deanna Wathington MD MPH FAAFP Director 0.50 hrs/week
EK
Edward Kenealy Treasurer 0.50 hrs/week
ER
Erica Rosso Vice Chair 0.50 hrs/week
EM
Erin Martinko Director 0.50 hrs/week
GL
Gerald L Zimmerman Director 0.50 hrs/week
JG
Jack Gillis Co-Chair 0.50 hrs/week
JE
Janette E Fennell Director 0.50 hrs/week
JA
Jennifer A Morrison Director 0.50 hrs/week
JC
Joan Claybrook Director 0.50 hrs/week
MJ
Mary Jagim MSN RN CEN FAEN Director 0.50 hrs/week
MG
Matt Gannon Co-Chair 0.50 hrs/week
MB
Michael Brooks Secretary 0.50 hrs/week
NR
Nathan Riedel Director 0.50 hrs/week
RH
Ralf Hotchkiss Director 0.50 hrs/week
SW
Stephen W Hargarten MD MPH Director 0.50 hrs/week
SM
Steven M Eglish Director 0.50 hrs/week
TK
Thomas Karol Director 0.50 hrs/week
VC
Vauhn Cleveland Director 0.50 hrs/week
WC
Wayne Cimons Director 0.50 hrs/week

Information compiled from IRS Form 990 and organizational materials.

Executive Compensation

Top compensated officers & key employees from IRS Form 990

Total Reported (2024)

$1.4M

Highest Paid

$393K

Catherine Chase

Compensated Officers

7

Name Title Base Other Total Hrs/Wk
Catherine Chase President $367,956 $24,609 $392,565 40
Peter Kurdock General Council $199,938 $41,064 $241,002 40
Shaun Kildare SR. Director Of Research $157,013 $37,397 $194,410 40
Tara Gill SR. DIR. Advocacy & Legislation $165,385 $11,343 $176,728 40
Lisa Drew Director Of Administration $129,655 $23,590 $153,245 40
Muhammad Masood Director Of State GOVT Relations $103,976 $8,380 $112,356 40
Shane Austin Communications Director $104,298 $5,164 $109,462 40

Source: IRS Form 990 filings. Compensation includes base and other reported compensation.

Individual Political Donors

People from this organization who contributed to political campaigns

$1K Total Given
Democratic $1,250 (100%)
2 Contributions
$625 Avg Each

Top Individual Donors

2 Individual Donors
JG
Jacqueline Gillan 1 contribution • $1,000 avg
$1,000
CB
Catherine B Chase 1 contribution • $250 avg
$250

Quick Insights

🏆
Most Active Donor Jacqueline Gillan with 1 contributions
🎯
Top Recipient FRIENDS OF SHERROD BROWN — $1,250

Data from Federal Election Commission • Individual contributions only

Lobbying Activity

Lobbying Disclosure Act registrations

Self-Lobbying
1 Registrations
1 Client
Yes Self-Lobbying

Clients 1 total

Advocates For Highway And Auto Safety
1 filing
Self

Source: Senate Office of Public Records — Lobbying Disclosure Act

Contact

Get in touch with Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Email

[email protected]

Phone

(202) 408-1711

Social

Visit Website
660 North Capitol St NW 810 Washington, DC 20001