Meet the Experts

AAA meber since 1986.

David Bennett has held many positions working directly with the member experience. Most recently, he spearheaded programs designed to simplify the car-buying experience for members as well as authoring and editing over 500 car reviews. Bennett has also served as a mentor for aspiring automotive technicians and technical advisor for AAA’s “Making Sense of Car Care” book. Bennett serves as AAA’s in-house expert on car-buying, warranties and automotive repair and is often featured in national media such as Forbes, USA Today and NerdWallet.

As Manager, Repair Systems, Bennett plays an integral role in the management of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair program, responsible for the curation, flow and distribution of repair facility data for AAA, which is used to identify areas where the repair experience may be enhanced for both members and consumers. Additionally, he is responsible for the creation and promotion of proprietary content intended to educate consumers on a variety of high-interest automotive topics housed on aaa.com/autorepair.

Outside of AAA, Bennett is active in the automotive industry and local community – he is a founding member of the Automotive Executives Association; a participating member of both the Motor Press Guild (MPG) and International Press Association (IMPA); and serves on the Seminole State College of Florida’s Automotive Advisory Board. He also holds ASE Master Automotive Technician status, and certification from the University of Georgia International Institute of Towing and Recovery.

Greg Brannon began his career with AAA over 25 years ago. In his role as the Director of Automotive Engineering for AAA, Greg Brannon oversees all automotive research and testing for the 65 million-member organization. Areas of expertise include electric vehicles, advance driver assistance systems, autonomous vehicles, automotive batteries and fuels.

AAA’s Automotive Engineering team, spanning both coasts of the United States, conducts a wide variety of unbiased, independent research projects that inform consumers, influence standards and the safer adoption of automotive technology.

Greg holds a B.S. in Business Management and a MBA from the University of Central Florida along with ASE Master Technician certification. He serves as a student mentor and on the Board of the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools. In his spare time he enjoys building, restoring, and racing cars.

Jill Ingrassia is vice president of public affairs at AAA, Inc., where she directs policy and programs for the organization’s federal and state government relations and traffic safety advocacy.

Her work focuses on mobility and transportation safety, energy, intelligent transportation systems, and emerging vehicle technologies. Ingrassia has led initiatives to address distracted and impaired driving, improve roadside safety and advocate for transportation funding and innovation.

She has represented AAA on numerous boards and coalitions, including serving as past board chair of ITS America, member of the Transportation Safety Advancement Group, past chair of The Road Gang and current board member of the Public Affairs Council.

Before joining AAA, Ingrassia worked as a legislative assistant to former Nebraska Gov. and U.S. Sen. Jim Exon. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and global studies from Nebraska Wesleyan University.

In his role as Director of Traffic Safety Advocacy & Research at AAA, Jake is a key communicator and thought leader on traffic injury prevention. He translates complex research into evidence-based policies, interventions, and media-friendly language. Featured in outlets like USA Today, the New York Times, NBC’s Today Show, ABC’s World News Tonight, and The Dr. Oz Show, he interprets fatal crash data and explores solutions to keep drivers safe.

As an epidemiologist, Jake sees traffic injuries as a significant public health issue. He applies rigorous research to AAA’s public policy, advocacy, and education efforts, developing nationwide strategies, forming partnerships, and influencing policymakers to protect travelers.

He regularly collaborates with transportation, public health, and government stakeholders, often representing AAA before state legislatures, Congress, and federal agencies, promoting evidence-based policies.

A member of Delta Omega and the Mid-American Public Health Leadership Society, Jake holds degrees from the University of Michigan, George Washington University, and the University of Chicago, along with certificates from Duke University and leadership programs at Eckerd College and the Center for Creative Leadership.

Before AAA, he managed a public health department in Chicago, overseeing campaigns and research on issues like HIV, obesity, substance abuse, and heart disease. Originally a medical researcher, Jake shifted focus to applying research to policy, leveraging data to advance public health and help others reach their potential. 

Van Tassel manages AAA’s national driver training program, providing safety education resources and expertise to AAA clubs and the driving public and Bill has been quoted in The New York Times and USA Today on driver safety and training issues.

Van Tassel has been qualified as an Expert Witness, providing testimony in driving-related legal trials and has published multiple peer-reviewed articles in journals and proceedings related to public health and traffic safety. Van Tassel is also a contributing author of the 2006 edition of Responsible Driving.

Van Tassel previously worked at the US Army’s Safety Center on prevention of privately owned vehicle crashes and as a research associate for the Center for Alcohol and Drug Education Studies at Texas A&M University where he was responsible for oversight of alcohol and drug related research.

Van Tassel has a Ph.D. in Safety Education from Texas A&M University and a Masters in Research Psychology from University of Central Oklahoma.

Van Tassel’s research interests are the Measurement of Alcohol in the Body, Distracted Driving, Effects of Drowsiness on Driving Ability, Advanced Driving Skill Courses. He is a member of National Driver Education and Training Administrative Standards Core Development Team, The Association of National Stakeholders in Traffic Safety Education and serves on the Operator Education and Regulation Committee for the Transportation Research Board (TRB).

As the Director of State Relations at AAA National, Jennifer leads efforts to identify emerging trends and monitor state legislative and regulatory developments impacting the Association, its clubs, and more than 57 million U.S. members.

She oversees and executes nationwide state-level legislative initiatives and public awareness campaigns on key safety, consumer, and mobility issues, including impaired driving, distracted driving, transportation funding, towing, and the development of safe automated vehicles.

Jennifer works directly with the AAA clubs who lobby for the advancement of AAA priorities in the states.

Jennifer holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Virginia and a Master’s in Public Administration from George Mason University.

Jennifer is a graduate of the University of Virginia and holds a Masters in Public Administration from George Mason University.

Scott Hammerle joined AAA in 2017 and is currently the Director, Diamond Inspections Program. He oversees a team of professional inspectors who conduct in-person evaluations of nearly 60,000 hotels and restaurants across the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Scott is a 25-year veteran of the hospitality industry. He learned the industry from market leaders through 10 years at both Disney and Wyndham, including being selected by the President of Disney Parks Worldwide as a Walt Disney World Ambassador. Scott is also an author and accomplished speaker, having spoken on leadership and customer experience at schools like Notre Dame and the University of Florida, as well as at multiple conferences. He graduated from Stetson University with an MBA as well as receiving his undergraduate degree in Broadcast Communications from Barry University.

As vice president of travel services, Barber provides leadership and strategic direction for all of the association’s travel services. She creates and manages strategic alliances, maximizing relationships with preferred suppliers in an effort to increase member benefits. Additionally, her responsibilities include guiding the development of innovative technology solutions to support AAA clubs in the delivery of differentiated travel products and services to members.

She has been a technology industry leader for the past 15 years. Prior to joining AAA in July 2015 as managing director of Travel Technology and Data Management, Barber held various executive roles with Travelclick, Lightmaker of America, Darden Restaurants in technology, operations, digital marketing and project management.

Barber is a graduate of the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Management Information Systems.