L'Gena Shaffer
L’Gena Shaffer, CDGP
Director, Regulatory Compliance
L’Gena has over 25 years of transport experience with emphasis managing regulatory compliance programs. She serves as the Director of Regulatory Compliance and Instructor for Currie Associates, and staff regulatory compliance specialist for the International Vessel Operators Dangerous Goods Association (IVODGA) and the Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA).
L’Gena is the Member Association Executive representing COSTHA at the US Postal Service Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC). Through COSTHA activities in the USPS MTAC, L’Gena was asked to present to the Iowa and Sioux Falls Postal Customer Council (PCC) the requirements for compliant transport of lithium batteries in accordance with PUB 52.
As a COSTHA regulatory staff member she provides guidance and member support through:
- Monitoring Regulatory updates and communicating key changes and effective dates, identifying potential member impact and solicitation of member comments. Drafting formal member written responses to PHMSA Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM), Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), and writing member communications and memos on Final Rules.
- Authoring petitions for rulemaking on behalf of member initiatives.
- Technical support to member questions on regulatory compliance by all modes of transport (49 CFR, ICAO/IATA, IMDG Code, ADR) and with the US Postal Service hazardous materials regulations, known as PUB 52 (Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Mail).
- IVODGA member representative to the Interested Parties (IP) Group attending meetings representing member interests.
- Attending international meetings as Head of Delegation.
- Lead of COSTHA Working Groups and Roundtables providing administrative support through project management, tracking project objectives and accomplishments.
L’Gena leads the Air Carrier Roundtable (ACRT), Life Sciences Roundtable, and the United States Postal Service (USPS) working group. As COSTHA staff lead, L’Gena represents air carriers from all operational segments – cargo, passenger, regional and helicopters. In this position she successfully led the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) negotiating resolution to the differences in domestic and international regulations for passenger notification of hazardous materials. The Life Sciences Roundtable focuses on common issues related to pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, biomedical technologies, cosmetics, food processing and biomedical device transportation compliance. The USPS working group monitors regulatory changes to PUB 52 and mailing standards while focusing on member areas of concern for greater alignment of the USPS mailing standards with the DOT regulations.
Her career background and experience include:
- Project Manager in the Dangerous Goods Management Group, DOT Liaison for consumer protection compliance and Analyst Interline and Industry Affairs at Delta Air Lines.
- Chair of the DOT Resource Group and Co-Chair of the Disability Working Group focusing on regulatory compliance programs.
- Facilitation of Complaint Resolution Official (CRO) training for compliance with non-discrimination on the basis of disability in air travel and representation at industry meetings (IATA and Airlines for America (formerly Air Transport Association)).
- Vice Chairman of the IATA Reservations Committee (RESCOM).
- Observer to the IATA (International Air Transport Association) Dangerous Goods Board (DGB) and Training Task Force.
- Participation at the UN Sub Committee of Experts (UN SCOE) on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG).
L’Gena has successful experience managing cross divisional corporate compliance programs, dangerous goods/hazardous material management and industry standards. She has presented at the COSTHA Annual Forum on transportation issues and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority Seminar “Ensuring the Safe Transport of Electric Mobility Aids”. She has extensive experience in customer service, consumer protection, and non-discrimination in air travel.
L’Gena holds a Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP) Credential and is an approved Dangerous Goods Instructor by the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). She received her Bachelor of Science in Social Science, Human Services degree from Mercer University.
email address: lgena@costha.com