Team

Jeff Farrah, Chief Executive Officer

Jeff Farrah serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA). AVIA is the unified voice of the AV industry and represents the world’s leading technology, trucking, ridesharing, automotive, and transportation companies.  Jeff is passionate about the promise of autonomous vehicles to deliver a world that is safer, provides greater mobility to those in need, and eases supply chain challenges. He is regularly called upon to testify on Capitol Hill and in state capitals, and is widely sought out by policymakers, transportation experts, and the press to discuss autonomous vehicles.

Before leading AVIA, Jeff served as General Counsel of the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), where he championed public policy to support the American entrepreneurial ecosystem and managed legal and operational aspects of the association. During Jeff’s tenure, NVCA prevailed in several key policy campaigns for venture investors and VC-backed companies.

Prior to NVCA, Jeff was Counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation where he advised then-Chairman John Thune (now Senate Minority Whip) and members of the committee on technology, telecommunications, and Internet policy.  Previously, Jeff served as General Counsel to U.S. Senator Scott Brown, advising on a range of policy and legal matters. During the 2012 presidential election, Jeff was a member of Senator Romney’s Trade Policy Advisory Committee.  Before his Senate career, Jeff was an attorney at a leading Washington, DC law firm for international trade matters. 

A native of southern California, Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Barbara and his Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law.  Jeff was a Visiting Student at Georgetown University Law Center.

Renée Gibson, Director of Government Affairs

Auto industry veteran Renée Gibson serves as AVIA’s Director of Government Affairs. She brings 15 years of association experience and leads key policy priorities in state capitals across the country, in Congress, and before federal agencies.

Renée most recently led the American Traffic Safety Services Association’s (ATSSA) state advocacy program.  ATSSA represents roadway safety device manufacturers and installers, a critical supporting component of AV technology. Her portfolio included successfully advocating for industry advancements related to infrastructure funding, work zone safety, and roadway technology innovations that all contribute to achieving a shared goal of reaching zero fatalities on our nation’s roadways.

Prior to her role at ATSSA, Renée spent nine years representing the world’s automakers in the United States through her work at the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (now Auto Innovators).  Gibson’s role as Director of State Government Relations brought her to the table for some of the earliest negotiations on AV legislation across the country.  Renée started her career in Sacramento, where she worked in the California State Legislature.  Her experience also includes positions at the American Institute of Architects and Stateside Associates.

Cody Uhing, Director of Communications and Marketing

Cody Uhing, AVIA’s Director of Communications and Marketing, brings over a decade of experience in marketing, advocacy, and policy communications to the organization. In his role, he oversees AVIA’s external communications strategy, including media relations, digital communications, and public affairs.

Before joining AVIA, Cody served as Director of Communications and Media Relations at AdvaMed, the Medtech Association, where he led media operations, managed public affairs initiatives, and produced an award-winning industry podcast. His work included crafting public affairs strategies for the radiation therapy and diabetes sectors, as well as spearheading projects to expand the organization’s social and digital audiences. He was also the press secretary for the First Five Years Fund, a DC-area nonprofit organization advocating for federal early childhood education programs.

Cody began his communications career in political campaigns, contributing to five U.S. Senate and House races since 2012. He served as Communications Director for Congressman Brad Ashford (NE-2) and Congressman Tom O’Halleran (AZ-1), where he worked closely with the House Energy and Commerce Committee to develop communications strategies that highlighted Congressman O’Halleran’s work on the committee.

Ariel Wolf, General Counsel

Ariel Wolf serves as General Counsel to the Autonomous Vehicle Industry Association (AVIA). He advises on legal and policy issues, and engages with state and federal policymakers, including testifying on the Association's behalf.

Previously, Ariel served in the U.S. Department of Transportation, where he helped develop the agency’s policies and priorities governing autonomous vehicles and spectrum. Prior to that, Ariel worked as a senior policy advisor in the U.S. Senate. Based in Washington, DC, Ariel leads the Mobility and Transportation Technology team at Venable LLP, where he also is a member of the firm’s eCommerce, Privacy, and Cybersecurity Practice Group. He received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center and his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College.

Please email press [at] theAVindustry [dot] org if you're interested in scheduling an interview.