News and Announcements

Sixteen Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (CHMMs) Receive High Honor Acknowledging their Significant Contributions to the Industry.

Allison A. King, CHMM^{^®}, re-elected to new four-year term, and will be joined by new Directors Lauraine A. Segna, CHMM^{^®}, and Brenda S. Mahan, CHMP^{^TM}.

At the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management’s (IHMM) Board of Directors annual meeting, which was held last Friday at the Marriott Tysons Corner in Tysons Corner, Virginia, the results of the recent election for open Board positions were announced. There were three director positions—two positions representing the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager® (CHMM^{^®}) and a new board position representing the Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner^{^TM} (CHMP^{^TM}) credential—open for election with four-year terms beginning in January 1, 2010.

Re-elected to the Board was Allison A. King, CHMM^{^®}, of Irving, Texas. Joining the Institute’s Board are newly elected Directors Lauraine A. Segna, CHMM^{^®}, or Woodbridge, Virginia, and Brenda S. Mahan, CHMP^{^TM}, of Stockton, California.

Ms. King has been in the hazardous materials workforce for 30 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University, and she earned the CHMM^{^®}credential in 1993. Ms. King has contributed extensively to the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP), where she currently chairs the National Conference Committee and has served several terms on the Board of Directors since 1995. She was a winner of AHMP/ACHMM’s Pete Cook Founder’s Award and recognized for her outstanding environmental contributions by the Oklahoma Governor’s Council for Environmental Quality.

Through her service on the IHMM Board of Directors, Allison seeks to promote the recognition of IHMM credentials because that promotion is “paramount to future growth.” She observes that “we much reach out to academia, regulators and industry professionals to share with them the value of obtaining and maintaining the premier certifications in the hazardous materials profession.” Ms. King states, “It is an extreme honor to represent the body of certificants of certified hazardous materials managers.”

Ms. Segna has worked in the hazardous materials management field for over 30 years, currently serving as the Agency Environmental Coordinator for the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service. Lauraine joined the IHMM Board of Examiners (BOE) in 1993 and has served as the Chairman of the BOE from 2003 to the present. She also assisted with the IHMM efforts to meet the requirements for ANSI Accreditation by serving as a member of the IHMM By-Laws Revision Committee and Recertification Requirements Workgroup. Ms. Segna is a Fellow of the Institute, a Certified Industrial Hygienist, and a Certified Safety Professional.

As a member of the IHMM Board of Directors, Ms. Segna has stated that she will “strive to promote the recognition of the CHMM^{^®} certification as the primary indicator of individuals who have achieved the knowledge and skills to excel in their positions as hazardous materials managers and also work to ensure that the certification program continues to meet the diverse and changing needs of the profession.”

Ms. Mahan’s contributions to the federal government’s hazardous materials profession have consistently targeted the need to advance the value, importance and recognition of the profession. As the transportation officer and as the Chief of Hazardous Materials Operations at the Defense Depot San Joaquin she led the primary effort to improve training related to hazardous materials transportation and handling. Her professional hazmat experience covers a diversity of areas, comprising environmental, health and safety, transportation and regulatory compliance.

Brenda earned the CHMP^{^TM} credential in 2008. Her educational background includes transportation management, hazardous materials storage/shipment, safe handling of radioactive materials, environmental management, and emergency response. During her 30-year career, Brenda has received numerous awards and honors, including being one of the first certified CHMPs.

“We are pleased to welcome Allison back to the Board, and also to welcome Laurie and Brenda as the Institute’s newest Directors,” stated Elizabeth Pfeiffer, CHMM^{^®}, and Board Chair. “The election of Brenda in particular marks a significant event, as she is the first Board representative for the new CHMP^{^TM} credential. The Institute faces many challenges and opportunities in the next few years. We are fortunate to have members on the Board of Directors with the passion, commitment, and dedication required to ensure the long term success of the Institute and our accredited certification programs.”

Leaving the Board is Peter R. Spinney, CHMM^{^®}, and the principal in Andover, New Jersey, based Peter R. Spinney, Inc., which specializes in site remediation, and hazardous materials management and training. Peter served as a member of the IHMM Board of Directors since 1999, and served in various capacities including Board Chair, Vice Chair, and as a member of the Marketing Committee. Peter was among the first to become a CHMM^{^®}in August 1985. As a certificant, a Fellow of the Institute, and a Distinguished Diplomate, Peter’s long-standing leadership and dedication to the hazardous materials profession have been genuinely remarkable.

“Peter has been a tremendous asset to the Institute and the CHMM^{^®}program in general, and the Board of Directors in particular,” continued Ms. Pfeiffer. “His presence, wisdom, and unique perspective during our deliberations will be greatly missed. However, the Board has been assured by Peter that we will be able to count on his continued active support through his service on various Board committees.”

BMW’S ELIZABETH PFEIFFER, CHMM^{^®}, PRESENTED WITH IHMM DISTINQUISHED DIPLOMATE AWARD

At the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management’s (IHMM) 25th anniversary celebration held last Thursday at the Tower Club in Tysons Corner, Virginia, Elizabeth R. Pfeiffer, CHMM^{^®}, was formally recognized as the newest Distinguished Diplomate, one of the highest honorary designations conferred by the Institute. The IHMM Board of Directors had elected Ms. Pfeiffer as a Distinguished Diplomate during its quarterly meeting on October 2, 2009. The Institute recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of hazardous materials management by conferring the honorary designations of Fellow of the Institute, Distinguished Diplomate, and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Distinguished Diplomate designation is awarded only to Fellows of the Institute who have contributed noticeably and substantively to the field of hazardous materials management or to the overall Certified Hazardous Materials Manager® (CHMM^{^®}) program. Such contributions may include: Founding of a significant element of the CHMM^{^®}program or of a non-competing hazardous materials organization or program; Organizing or leading a major hazardous materials management program to successful completion; Long-standing devotion with notable contributions to the field; and/or, Originating or leading a major breakthrough in hazardous materials management.

Ms. Pfeiffer joins a very select group of only seven other to have been selected as a Distinguished Diplomate. The other individuals who have received recognition as Distinguished Diplomates are:

Ms. Pfeiffer earned her CHMM^{^®}credential in 1989, was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1998, and was first elected to the IHMM Board in 2004. She currently serves as Chair of the IHMM Board of Directors.

During the annual meeting of IHMM’s Board of Directors, which was held last Friday at the Marriott Tysons Corner in Tysons Corner, Virginia, the following CHMMs were elected as new Fellows of the Institute:

   - George W. Campbell
   - Denny L. Carlson
   - Pete Cook
   - Raymond C. Davis
   - Mary C. DeVany
   - John J. Egan
   - Jack E. Leonard
   - Scott W. McCone
   - Laureen A. McMurray
   - Cheryl L. Polios
   - Gary D. Robinson
   - Robin K. Spencer
   - Raymond J. Tessier
   - Barry R. Weissman
   - Catherine B. Werner

Significant contributions which are considered by the Board for election of an individual as a Fellow of the Institute include accomplishments such as: Developing or advancing a new technology, apparatus or device; Implementing a new management principle, methodology, procedure, or technique; Advancing the value, importance, and recognition of the profession in the marketplace or the media; Training or developing training materials that improve workforce knowledge and skills; and/or, Performing an honorable or heroic deed.

The full list of Fellows of the Institute may be found in the Hall of Honor area of the IHMM Web site.

Certified Hazardous Materials Manager^{^®} (CHMM^{^®}) and Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner^{^TM} (CHMP^{^TM}) Credentials Achieve Global Recognition

The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM), the leading organization for certifying hazardous materials professionals in the environmental, health, safety, and security (EHS&S) industry, today announced that its CHMM^{^®} and CHMP^{^TM}credentials have received accreditation from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024, the international standard for personnel certification programs.

Accreditation by ANSI ensures employers, regulators, and the public that those professionals holding IHMM credentials have demonstrated the knowledge and ability to implement best practices, processes, and procedures for the management of hazardous materials. Properly certified professionals provide assurance that the potential danger of hazardous materials—biological, chemical, or physical agents which could cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment, either by themselves or through interaction with other factors—is minimized through managing their proper and secure manufacturing, storage, handling, transportation, disposal, and clean-up.

“Earning ANSI accreditation demonstrates the Institute’s ongoing commitment to setting globally accepted standards for professional competency and quality in the EHS&S industry,” said Elizabeth Pfeiffer, IHMM Board of Directors Chair. “This accomplishment is the direct result of IHMM’s elected leadership’s commitment to enhancing the value of IHMM credentials and vision of achieving independent global validation of IHMM’s certification programs. It is also a testament to IHMM’s staff who implemented the enhancements to the certification programs that were necessary to ensure conformance to the rigorous ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard and to successfully complete the accreditation process.”

CERTIFIED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGER^{^®} (CHMM^{^{^®}}) RECERTIFICATION COMMITTEE FORMED

The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) announced today the formation of the CHMM^{^{^®}} Recertification Committee. This committee will be chartered with developing and maintaining recertification standards for the CHMM^{^{^®}} credential, evaluating employment and professional development activities eligible for Certification Maintenance Points (CMPs), and hearing appeals of recertification decisions. The Board of Directors has selected Denny Carlson, CHMM^{^{^®}}, to be the inaugural chair for the committee.

“This committee represents the Institute’s commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that our credentials are held to the highest global standards for certifying individuals,” stated Elizabeth Pfeiffer, CHMM^{^{^®}}, IHMM Board of Directors Chair. “The CHMM^{^{^®}} credential has been accredited since 1995 by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) as meeting the ASTM Standard E 1929-98 for personnel certification programs. We have also recently applied to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for accreditation under the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 standard.”

“Forming the CHMM^{^{^®}} Recertification Committee ensures that the standards, procedures, and processes for a certificant to recertify and maintain their CHMM^{^{^®}} credential are fair to the individual, true to the level of performance and competency required by the industry, and provide significant value to employers, government agencies, and the public,” continued Ms. Pfeiffer. “We are very pleased that Denny has accepted our nomination as Committee Chair. He has been extremely active as a volunteer at the Institute and many other industry organizations, and served as a Peer Reviewer for the CHMM^{^{^®}} credential since 2004.”

Denny has over 30 years of professional experience in mechanical and energy engineering, with an emphasis in recent years on assessment, remediation design, and management of indoor air quality projects. He holds a BSME with Distinction from the University of Iowa, has pursued graduate studies in Medicine and Solid Mechanics, and is a Professional Engineer licensed in Iowa. Besides earning the CHMM credential, Denny also holds certifications as an indoor air quality professional (CIAPQ), mold remediation supervisor (CMRS), microbial consultant (CMC), and indoor environmental consultant (CIEC). He is a licensed as an inspector for both asbestos and lead-based paint, and holds three patents and has made numerous presentations on air quality issues.

15,000th CERTIFIED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGER^{^{^®}} (CHMM^{^®}) CREDENTIAL AWARDED

Major Milestone Highlights the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management’s 25th Anniversary

The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) announced today that Erik P. Delaney, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, has become the industry’s 15,000th CHMM^{^{^®}}. The CHMM^{^{^®}} certification recognizes environmental, health, safety, and security professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, expertise, and excellence in their field of work, a commitment to public safety and the environment, and a dedication to the highest professional and ethical standards.

“First and foremost, earning the CHMM^{^{^®}} certification is really a great honor when you consider the exclusivity of the certification and the company that I am now in also includes Lisa Jackson, the current Administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency,” Mr. Delaney remarked when he was notified that he is the 15,000th individual to earn the CHMM certification. “I sought the CHMM certification to both demonstrate and maintain my professional competency, and I have truly ‘stood on the shoulders of giants’ getting to where I am!”

Mr. Delaney credits his family, senior managers, colleagues, Marine Corps experience, and education with making his achievements possible. Since late 2006, Mr. Delaney has served the Marine Corps as a civilian environmental protection specialist at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) at Cherry Point, North Carolina. His specialty fields are EH&S management, hazmat management, EH&S auditing and inspections, and hazmat and safety management. He has trained military personnel, conducted audits and inspections and supported 25 individual units at MCAS.

“Mr. Delaney’s accomplishments, knowledge, and experience truly reflect the excellence embodied by the CHMM^{^{^®}} credential,” said Elizabeth Pfeiffer, Chair of the IHMM Board of Directors, and Environmental Compliance Officer with BMW of North America. “He has distinguished himself by the breadth and depth of his knowledge regarding the management of hazardous materials, and through the professionalism he exhibits in dealing with the public, his co-workers, and other industry professionals.”

“As a civilian environmental protection specialist, Mr. Delaney has demonstrated superlative skills in handling hazardous material and waste issues, many times going above and beyond what is traditionally required for his position,” stated Orathai Bulfer, an environmental scientist and one of Erik’s colleagues. “He is comfortable speaking and negotiating with regulators, which is testament to his vast field of knowledge.”

Another colleague, Ronald J. Rostek, Jr., Erik’s reporting senior and reviewing officer while in the military noted that “Erik’s leadership, judgment and technical abilities far surpass many of his contemporaries, and I believe him to be of the highest moral character.”

The Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP), formerly the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM^{^{^®}}), and the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) are jointly announcing an updated affiliation agreement.

The affiliation agreement—originally established in 1996—has been restructured to establish a new and dynamic relationship between the two organizations that will help increase the number of professionals who hold the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager^{^{^®}} (CHMM^{^{^®}}) and Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner^{^{^{^TM}}} (CHMP^{^TM}) credentials, and who are also AHMP members.

“IHMM has maintained their CHMM^{^{^®}} credential—the premier industry standard for hazardous materials professional—since 1984,” said AHMP President Harry S. Kemp, CHMM^{^{^®}}. “Through the renewal of this affiliation agreement both AHMP and IHMM are better positioned for long-term success.

“This agreement highlights each group’s dedication to enhancing professionalism in the field of hazardous materials management and the overall environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) industry,” continued Kemp. “AHMP’s Board of Directors looks forward to continuing the association’s long-term relationship with IHMM, to working with IHMM to promote their credentials and to advocating for our members before employers and government agencies.”

“The new AHMP-IHMM affiliation agreement continues a very long and successful partnership,” remarked Elizabeth Pfeiffer, CHMM^{^{^®}}, chair of IHMM’s Board of Directors. “Through this agreement AHMP is demonstrating its continued commitment to supporting the Institute’s credentials and certification programs, including the CHMM^{^{^®}}, the Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner^{^TM} (CHMP^{^TM}), and the Hazardous Materials Manager-in-Training (HMMT) programs.

“AHMP’s various programs and services deliver the professional development training, informational content, educational programming and peer networking opportunities that hazardous materials professionals need to distinguish themselves in the EHS&S industry and to demonstrate their dedication to the professional excellence embodied in the Institute’s credentials and certification programs,” said Pfeiffer.

Kemp and Pfeiffer expect that the strong bond between their respective organizations perpetuated by this updated agreement will benefit AHMP, IHMM and holders of credentials administered by IHMM.

In particular, with a shared responsibility for promoting and marketing the CHMM^{^{^®}} credential, AHMP will advocate on behalf of IHMM credential holders before relevant federal and state government agencies.

“When and where it can, AHMP will support its membership and local chapters in promotion of IHMM credential holders to government decision-makers at all levels,” explained Kemp. “These activities will increase the number of credential holders, strengthen AHMP’s membership base and solidify IHMM’s position as the administrator of several essential EHS&S industry credentials."

BMW'S ELIZABETH PFEIFFER, CHMM^{^{^®}}, ELECTED IHMM BOARD CHAIR
Kermit Rader of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, P.C., and Environmental Light Recyclers' Allison King, CHMM^{^®}, also welcomed to IHMM's Board of Directors

At the March 13, 2009, meeting of IHMM's Board of Directors, Elizabeth R. Pfeiffer, CHMM^{^{^®}}, was elected to the Chair position for 2009-2010, succeeding Peter R. Spinney who has served as Chair since 2007. Ms. Pfeiffer earned her CHMM credential in 1989, was elected a Fellow of the Institute in 1998, and was first elected to the IHMM Board in 2004. Her hazardous materials management experience includes preparing EPA Risk Management Plans, developing OSHA Process Safety Management programs, and permitting liquid hydrogen fueling stations. She has also been actively involved in Emergency Response Programs and the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) for several companies. In her current position, she directs BMW NA activities in the areas of transportation and environmental regulatory compliance for all products and operations.

"We are thrilled at Liz's election to Chair the IHMM Board," remarked Peter Spinney, CHMM^{^{^®}}, and immediate Past-Chair of the Board of Directors. "Liz brings tremendous dedication to the industry and we appreciate her willingness to contribute her time and energy to this key role."

The Board also welcomed as new Directors Kermit L. Rader, Esq., who won election for a four-year term as the Board's Public Member, and Allison A. King, CHMM, who was named to fill the remaining year of the retiring Gary Robinson's term. Mr. Rader is a partner in Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin, P.C., in that law firm's Philadelphia office. He is co-chair of the firm's Environmental and Land Use Practice Group, and focuses on the environmental aspects of real estate and corporate transactions, regulatory compliance counseling, and remediation issues. Ms. King is Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Environmental Light Recyclers in Fort Worth, Texas. She has also worked for Teris, Ashland Distribution and Ashland Chemical. She has chaired the LEPC in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and served as an industry representative to the Oklahoma State Emergency Response Commission (SERC).

"It is a great honor to be selected as Chair by my fellow Board members," added Ms. Pfeiffer. "I appreciate the confidence they have in my abilities. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Peter for the outstanding job he did while serving as the Chair for the past few years. I would like to also welcome Kermit and Allison to the Board, and the new dimensions that they bring to develop a long-term strategy for moving the Institute forward during a time when the hazardous materials industry continues to experience dramatic innovation, change, and growth."

Other members of the IHMM Board of Directors are: David H. Benshoof, CHMM^{^{^®}}, and Vice President of Operations for VigilCorp in Indianapolis, Indiana; Gary A. Breg, CHMM^{^{^®}}, and an Environmental Engineer with Citgo Petroleum in West Lake, Louisiana; Kenneth L. Manchen, CHMM^{^{^®}}, and the Corporate Director of Environmental Affairs for Premier Farnell Inc., in Independence, Ohio; Cynthia L. Savage, CHMM^{^{^®}}, and an environmental consultant with Fusion Environment and Energy in Bend, Oregon; and, Peter R. Spinney, CHMM^{^{^®}}, and the principal in Peter R. Spinney, Inc., in Andover, New Jersey.

THE CHMM^{^®} PROGRAM IS RE-ACCREDITED BY CESB

The CHMM^{^{^®}} program has been accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) since 1995, and that status has been renewed through 2013. The CHMM^{^{^®}} designation remains one of a select few accredited credentials in the environmental profession.

CESB's guidelines for accreditation include consideration of:

As an accredited program, the Institute has earned a significant role in CESB's Board activities, including participation in the review of accreditation applications for other specialty certification programs.

CERTIFIED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS MANAGER (CHMM^{^®}) CONFIRMED AS NEXT EPA ADMINISTRATOR

Lisa P. Jackson, CHMM^{^®}, was confirmed by the United States Senate for the top post at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Jackson most recently served as the commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection where she managed a staff of 3,400 professionals and programs to protect, sustain and enhance the state’s water, air and land resources.

At the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection the Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management (EHMM) course is an integral part of the agency’s cross-training and hazardous materials education program. More than 200 hazardous materials professionals have taken the EHMM course offered by the NJDEP, either for cross-training or to prepare for the CHMM^{^®} exam. As a result, nearly 40 current agency employees have earned the CHMM^{^®} designation after successfully completing the challenging credentialing exam.

Prior to being nominated by New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine (D) to lead the state’s environmental oversight agency, Jackson led the department’s land use management program. She joined the agency in 2002 as assistant commissioner of compliance and enforcement and led groundbreaking compliance sweeps in Camden and Paterson. Before moving to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Jackson worked for 16 years in the Superfund Program at the EPA developing key hazardous waste cleanup regulations, overseeing hazardous waste cleanup programs and directing multimillion-dollar cleanup operations.

The membership of the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM) recently approved a change in the organization’s name to Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP). To read the full press release please go here. ACHMM’s name change has NO EFFECT whatsoever on IHMM credentials. Whether you are a CHMM^{^{^®}}, a CHMP^{^TM}, an HMMT, or a candidate for one of these designations, your status is still regulated by IHMM.

IHMM and ACHMMare totally separate organizations, with separate offices and staff, separate Boards of Directors, and separate finances. IHMM sets the standards for and administers the CHMM^{^{^®}} and CHMP^{^TM}credentials and the HMMT designation. Whether or not you belong to ACHMM(or AHMP), you must still meet your IHMM obligations in order to become or remain certified.

Think of it in terms of being a driver. You might belong to AAA (or another membership group for motorists), but you must obtain and maintain your driver’s license through the Motor Vehicle Administration in your state. If you fail to renew your driver’s license with the MVA, you cannot legally drive, and AAA membership card won’t be accepted as a substitute. IHMM is equivalent to the MVA in this example. So be sure to respond promptly when you receive a notice about fees or recertification from IHMM!

THE COUNCIL ON SAFE TRANSPORTATION OF HAZARDOUS ARTICLES (COSTHA) AND IHMM FORM PARTNERSHIP TO ADVANCE HAZMAT CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Lara Currie, Administrator COSTHA, outlined in a memo the partnership that has evolved between COSTHA and IHMM to provide career development for hazardous materials management professionals. To read this memo please go here.

IHMM Welcomes James Gaidry as New Executive Director and Names Betty Fishman as Certification Director

Dr. John Frick, CHMM^{^®}, one of the four original founders of the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) and of the Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM^{^®}) credential in 1984, retired from his position as Executive Director of IHMM effective January 2, 2009. During his tenure in the Executive Office from 2003-2009, Dr. Frick oversaw the development of the Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner^{^TM} (CHMP^{^TM}) credential, the conversion from paper-and-pencil testing to computerized exam delivery, and the institutionalization of office practices and procedures, which has put IHMM on a path toward accreditation under ANSI/ISO Standard 17024 on Personnel Certification. Before assuming the role of Executive Director, Dr. Frick served on the IHMM Board of Directors from its inception in 1984 through December 2002, and as its chairman from 1994 through 2002.

“Dr. Frick’s influence and guidance on IHMM cannot be overstated,” remarked Peter Spinney, Chairman of the IHMM Board of Directors. “Beginning with his efforts to found the Institute and the CHMM^{^®} credential twenty-five years ago, his many contributions have led to the success of the IHMM organization as the premier certification organization in the world for recognizing professionals in the field of hazardous materials management.”

James Gaidry was selected as Dr. Frick’s successor by the IHMM Board of Directors after a national search for a leader who could effectively promote the recognition and acceptance of IHMM’s credentials; identify potential growth opportunities and develop growth strategies to expand the organization and its offerings; represent IHMM to outside agencies, organizations, professionals in the field, the general public, and the media; foster relationships with other organizations; and develop mutually beneficial working relationships, alliances, and corporate sponsorships. Mr. Gaidry worked most recently as vice president of marketing and sales for the National Concrete and Masonry Association in Herndon, Virginia. Previously, he served as vice president for the Association for Services Management International in Fort Myers, Florida, after a successful career in sales and marketing with technology companies such as Dell Computer and Texas Instruments. Mr. Gaidry received his Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis in marketing, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Texas.

As it changed the focus of the Executive Director’s position, the Board also created a position of Certification Director, to oversee the core certification functions of IHMM. This position has been filled by Betty Fishman, who has served since 1997 as the Assistant Executive Director of IHMM, where her primary focus has been to enhance the validity, reliability, and security of IHMM’s certification examinations. Among her work experiences before coming to IHMM, Ms. Fishman developed, administered, and did validation research on employment tests with the Civil Service Commission of the City of New York, and managed the D.C. branch of an international non-profit women’s association. Ms. Fishman holds both a Master of Arts in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Bachelor of Arts with distinction from the University of Rochester.

Gary Robinson, CHMM^{^®}, announced his retirement from the Board of Directors in December, due to extensive travel associated with his new position as President of Latitude 50 North Corporation, a consulting firm which oversees pipeline installation projects all over the world. Mr. Robinson spent many years as a project manager and vice president at URS Corporation in Buffalo, New York. He made good use of his background in financial management by serving on the Board’s Finance Committee.

Allison A. King, CHMM^{^®}, was named to fill the year remaining in Mr. Robinson’s term. Ms. King is Vice President of Sales and Marketing with Environmental Light Recyclers in Fort Worth, Texas. She has also worked for Teris, Ashland Distribution, and Ashland Chemical. She has chaired the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and served as an industry representative to the Oklahoma State Emergency Planning Committee (SERC). A former President of ACHMM^{^{^®}}, she was the recipient of the Pete Cook Founder’s Award at the ACHMM national conference in 2008. Ms. King holds a B.B.A. in Marketing with a minor in Chemistry from Texas A&M University, and a Six Sigma Black Belt.

Note from the Chair - Peter Spinney, CHMM^{^{^®}}, IHMM Chairman of the Board of Directors

Steve Jones, Esq., was the first public member on the IHMM Board and has just completed his fifth term in that position. Originally from California, for nine of those ten years Steve worked and lived on the east coast in the Washington, DC, and Philadelphia metro areas. Last year Steve’s law firm offered him the opportunity to return to his home in Santa Monica and the beach at Venice. Who knew we had a surfer on the Board?

Steve has served on several board committees, including most recently finance and international markets. Steve is one of those quietly profound individuals who sits, absorbs, analyzes and then says in a few words what needs to be said and helps the rest of us see the light we’ve been seeking. This past year his clarity made a difficult job easier. He gave targeted insights during the transition to the new Executive Director as well as the adoption of the radically revised bylaws necessary to move the IHMM to ANSI accreditation.

Gary Robinson, CHMM, was appointed to the Board two years ago to fill a vacated seat. Gary has been a CHMM^{^{^®}} since 1984, and was a mover and shaker in supporting the credential from its earliest days. Prior to becoming an environmental management professional, Gary was an F-4 pilot with the US Navy, having done many carrier landings--the hardest flying in the world.

During his brief tenure on the Board of Directors, Gary was an active and knowledgeable member of the Finance Committee—helping to guide the IHMM Board in meeting its fiduciary responsibilities to the body of CHMM^{^{^®}} and CHMP^{^TM} certificants. In recent years Gary’s work had become progressively dissociated from hazardous materials management. He has become heavily involved in construction management of pipeline projects in both North and South America, so much so that he recently established his own company for this purpose. Nothing says more about his commitment to the ethics of the credential than his resignation upon the recognition that he was no longer actively involved in the field. Gary, you honor yourself and the CHMM^{^®} with your integrity.

Steve and Gary, we thank you for your service to the Board, the Institute, and the industry.

Nearly 1400 certificants voted in the first IHMM Board elections held electronically. According to the comments we received, voters found this method to be very efficient and easy to use, and appreciated our move to this environmentally friendly method. Those elected assumed office on January 1, 2009.

Elizabeth R. Pfeiffer, CHMM^{^®}, was re-elected to the four-year CHMM^{^®} Director position. Ms. Pfeiffer is Environmental Compliance Manager with BMW North America in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. In this position, she is involved in BMW’s Clean Energy program, working on international codes and standards to demonstrate the technical feasibility of hydrogen vehicles and advance the development of a hydrogen infrastructure. She served her first term on the IHMM Board from January 2005 through December 2008 where, as co-chair of the Governance Task Force, she was responsible for the drafting of new bylaws and policies for IHMM in preparation for ANSI/ISO accreditation. A former president of ACHMM, Ms. Pfeiffer is also an active promoter of the CHMM^{^®} credential among the automobile industry and through her participation in the Council on Safe Transport of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA). She holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.A. in Environmental Management.

Kermit L. Rader, Esq. won election to the Board for a four-year term as the Public Member. This position is open only to individuals not certified by IHMM who represent the corporate, legal, or academic constituency served by IHMM’s credentials. Mr. Rader is a partner in WolfBlock, LLC, in that law firm’s Philadelphia office. He is co-chair of the firm’s Environmental and Land Use Practice Group, and focuses on the environmental aspects of real estate and corporate transactions, regulatory compliance counseling, and remediation issues. Mr. Rader began his legal career in the Office of Enforcement at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Washington, D.C. headquarters. He went on to become Assistant Regional Counsel and then Associate Regional Counsel and Chief of the Superfund Section for EPA Region 3 (Middle Atlantic states). He received his B.A. from Duke University and his J.D. from George Washington Law School.

BOARD TO EXPAND IN 2009 TO INCLUDE A CERTIFIED HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PRACTITIONER^{^TM} (CHMP^{^{^TM}})

With the award of the first credentials to CHMP^{^{^TM}} in late 2008, a seat will be added to the Board of Directors for a representative of this group of certificants, beginning with the election to be held in the fall of 2009. The Nominating Committee will be looking for candidates this summer. CHMPs: It’s not too early to start thinking about serving in this capacity!

The IHMM Board of Directors recently recognized three CHMMs for their outstanding contributions to the hazardous materials management profession and the CHMM^{^{^®}} program by naming them Fellows of the Institute. The new Fellows are Zvi Blank, Ph.D., CHMM^{^{^®}}; Allison King, CHMM^{^{^®}}; James Ortiz, Ph. D, CHMM^{^{^®}}.

Zvi Blank, Ph.D., CHMM^{^{^®}}, Complete Analysis Laboratories, Inc. (CALI), Morris Plains, New Jersey

Zvi Blank, has worked on a number of EPA-funded projects resulting in establishing the feasibility of cleaning storm water use jute and mulch. Also with EPA funding, he has shown that zero valent iron was an effective treatment for halogenated volatile organic compounds (VOC) in soil. Other contributions include:

Zvi has been active in AHMP at the national level as well as at the chapter level. He has been a member of the national Awards Committee as well as PDC. He has presented papers at national meetings, including one on the consideration of nanomaterials for inclusion as a special class of potentially hazardous materials. Most recently he has been an instructor of a project management/ Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) course. At the chapter level he has been a trustee of the New Jersey chapter’s executive board for the past three years. In his capacity as a CHMM^{^{^®}}, Zvi participated at the special IHMM job task analysis conference held in Baltimore in 2007. He also participated in IHMM’s by-laws review task force as part of IHMM’s preparation for the ANSI accreditation application.

Zvi received his PhD from New York University in chemical engineering. For the past twenty years he has worked as an environmental consultant and lab director at CALI and has been involved in a number of site remediation projects. He earned the CHMM credential in 1988.

Allison King, CHMM^{^{^®}}, Director of Sales and Marketing, Environmental Light Recyclers, Fort Worth, Texas

Allison’s contributions to the hazardous materials profession have consistently targeted the need to advance the value, importance and recognition of the profession in the marketplace. She has led initiatives for growth and change at the local and national levels of the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP), formerly the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers (ACHMM^{^{^®}}), and beginning in 1994 with her leadership in the formation of the Dallas-Fort Worth Chapter. Her other contributions include serving as Director and then Vice-President-Elect on the AHMP national board. During her national service Allison:

In 2009 Allison will begin service on IHMM’s Board of Directors. One of her goals as a director will be to promote IHMM credentials. She has observed that “we much reach out to academia, regulators and industry professionals to share with them the value of obtaining and maintaining the premier certifications in the hazardous materials profession. Promotion is paramount to future growth.”

Allison’s professional hazmat experience covers a diversity of areas, comprising environmental, health and safety, transportation and regulatory compliance. She earned the CHMM^{^{^®}} credential in 1993. Her educational background includes financial management, sales and marketing, and chemistry. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University. During her 30-year career, Allison has received numerous awards and honors, including AHMP’s Pete Cook Founder’s Award.

Now employed at Environmental Light Recyclers in Fort Work, Texas, Ms. King is responsible for nationwide sales and marketing in support of recycling and service facilities in six states. During her 30-year career, Allison has received numerous awards and honors, including AHMP’s Pete Cook Founder’s Award.

James Ortiz, Ph. D, CHMM^{^{^®}}, Senior Environmental Protection Specialist, U.S. Department of the Interior, Reston, Virginia

Dr. Ortiz is being recognized for his many outstanding contributions to the field of hazardous materials management and his leadership and initiative in the development and management of new programs and activities for the U.S. Department of the Interior. His knowledge, energy and ability to bring people with diverse backgrounds and opinions together are widely recognized by his peers. In addition to hazmat management, his areas of expertise include environmental compliance, environmental management systems, and safety and occupational health. During an exemplary 17-year career he has played a prominent role in achieving the objectives of the Department. Among the many examples of his contributions include:

Dr. Ortiz received a Ph.D. and post-Master’s Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute. He became a CHMM^{^{^®}} in 1985.

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The pilot testing phase of the new CHMP^{^{^{^TM}}} credential has been completed, and the first credentials have been awarded to:

Stephen Bekanich	Christopher Fulmer	David Rice
Ryan Blackburn	David Hall	Kenneth Rost
Michael Blessitt	James King	William Tomlinson
James Joseph Dorety	Brenda Mahan	George Vassallo
Albert Fisher	Stephen Pichler	Edward Ward

IHMM introduced the CHMP^{^TM}credential in October 2007 to give front-line hazmat workers a means of obtaining professional recognition for their knowledge and skills. Among other benefits, the CHMP^{^TM}credential increases workers’ visibility to employers who need their expertise. To qualify, candidates must have five years of relevant experience, or an Associate of Applied Science degree and three years of relevant experience.

Candidates must pass a multiple-choice exam which focuses on hazardous materials identification, handling, and shipping; emergency planning and response; sampling and analysis; site investigation and remediation; and project management.

The Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB) created a task force on engineering credentials for the purpose of creating a mutually agreeable policy statement on the value and proper use of a specialty certifications by licensed professional engineers. The task force issued its recommendation at the CESB annual meeting in February 2007, and IHMM’s Board of Directors formally approved the policy statement at its March 2007 meeting.

"It is our hope that the policy statement we devised will be endorsed by all CESB-accredited certification organizations and by the National Society of Professional Engineers. If it is, it will go a long way toward reducing the needless competition between licensing and credentialing," said Kenneth Manchen, P.E., CHMM^{^®}, a member of the task force and then-Chair of the IHMM Board.

CHMMs QUALIFY FOR ASSE PROFESSIONAL MEMBER STATUS

CHMMs now qualify for the highest level of membership in the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE): the Professional Member. Of the 30,000 ASSE members, more than 500 hold the CHMM^{^{^®}} certification and nearly 250 of those are not yet Professional Members. CHMM^{^®} members of ASSE should apply for reclassification to Professional Member status. ASSE officials noted that all new member applicants with a CHMM^{^®} designation will be eligible for automatic classification in this category.

The CHMM^{^®} joins the Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Certified Health Physicist (CHP), and Professional Engineer (P.E.) among the accredited certifications/registrations accepted for Professional Member status in ASSE. ASSE membership categories are Professional Member, Member, Associate Member, International Member and Student Member. For more information, contact Diane Hurns at 847-768-3413 or dhurns@asse.org.

NEW JERSEY RECOGNIZES CHMM^{^®} CREDENTIAL IN "CLEANUP STAR" PROGRAM

Holders of the CHMM^{^{^®}} credential who have five years of experience in hazardous substance remediation may pre-qualify for the special site remediation program announced by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) on September 4, 2003.

Dubbed "Cleanup Stars," CHMMs and certain other environmental professionals are authorized to investigate and remediate certain low-priority sites (soils only) and "areas of concern" with limited NJDEP oversight. NJDEP will initiate a program to audit work performed by Cleanup Stars to ensure regulatory compliance and protection of public health and the environment.

According to the NJDEP announcement, the Cleanup Star Program provides three important benefits:

For the complete text of the release, see: www.state.nj.us/dep/srp/cleanupstar/.

To find out how to become a Cleanup Star, review the Request for Participation (RFP), which explains the qualification criteria and terms of the Cleanup Star participation, at www.state.nj.us/dep/srp/cleanupstar/cstar_rfp.pdf.

The NJDEP web site provides complete information about the Cleanup Star program and has links for downloading the application form in PDF, Word, and RTF formats.