BIOGRAPHIES: SPEAKERS & TRAINERS |
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P. Balasubramanian Founder & CEO Air Cargo Consultancy International Svcs (ACCIS)
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SESSIONS: International Vessel Operators Dangerous Goods Association (IVODGA) International Regulatory Briefing
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Global Aviation Expert
Affiliation/Association:: The only Indian with ICAO DGP/Cargo and IATA DGB/CHC
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Ben Barrett, P.E. Senior Consultant, founder and owner of: DG Advisor, LLC
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TRAINING: IMDG Code: International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Advanced Recurrent (Amd. 42-24) (May 9, 2025)
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Ben, a professional engineer and the founder of DG Advisor, LLC (DGA), began his career in gunpowder manufacturing. Since establishing DGA in 2006, he has played a key role for clients manufacturing and shipping explosives, an industry where safety plays an especially important role. Ben has been a delegate to IMO, ICAO, the Joint Meeting, and has attended the UN consistently since 2005. As a result, he branched out to become a generalist in the constantly evolving dangerous goods regulations, and develops special expertise wherever needed. Ben specializes in problem solving for high value, difficult challenges, with safety first and efficiency as a strong second. DGA’s services include advocacy, custom training, eLearning, permits, approvals and consulting for companies that manufacture, distribute and transport a wide range of dangerous goods and GHS hazardous chemicals. Core Competencies
Credentials
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Steve Brion Training Manager TEN-E Packaging Services
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TRAINING: Packaging Selection & Testing and Best Management Practices (May 4, 2025)
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Steve has over 19 years of experience in Dangerous Goods package testing and UN DOT regulations as a third-party testing laboratory and currently coordinates and manages TEN-E’s employee training program and oversees the daily laboratory operations. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Packaging Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.
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Adam Burks Consultant DG Advisor, LLC
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TRAINING: IMDG Code: International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code Advanced Recurrent (Amd. 42-24) (May 9, 2025)
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Adam began his career in public safety over two decades ago as a law enforcement officer (retired) and an active volunteer firefighter. In 2009, while pursuing his MBA, he transitioned from full-time public safety to a role in environmental health and safety with a leading online retailer in Missouri. Over the following 14 years, he oversaw Dangerous Goods processes within Logistics Operations, focusing on process development, training design and delivery, quality control, and other critical areas. In the summer of 2024, Adam joined DG Advisor, LLC (DGA) as a Dangerous Goods Consultant.
Core Competencies
Adam holds a Bachelor of Business degree from Columbia College and an MBA from William Woods University. He also maintains his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) license. |
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Tracie Cady Regulatory Specialist - Contractor Bureau of Dangerous Goods
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TRAINING: Advanced Air Dangerous Goods Recurrent (May 5, 2025)
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Tracie has more than 25 years of experience in the dangerous goods transportation industry with emphasis in compliance programs and regulatory analysis. Her extensive background includes:
Tracie earned her certification as a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Illinois and her M.B.A. from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. |
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Suzanne M. Ellis Senior HM Transportation Specialist Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
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SESSION: Modal Briefing / US Enforcement (May 6, 2025)
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Suzanne Ellis is the Senior HM Transportation Specialist at FMCSA and has an extensive background in the safe transportation of hazardous materials having held numerous HM positions at FMCSA over the past 25 years. Suzanne came to FMCSA from Industry where she began her career as an ASE Certified Heavy Duty Truck Mechanic and advanced to the Administrator for Safety and Compliance for a large regional trucking company that transported hazardous materials. Her journey in federal and industry service brings a comprehensive understanding of HM operations and regulatory frameworks, and a clear commitment to fostering positive relationships with key stakeholders, especially within our regulated community. These skills are invaluable in advancing our agency’s mission and to the HM program.
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Robert Harris Deputy Chief Surveyor - Pacific Ports National Cargo Bureau
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TRAINING: Cargo Safety & Security/Blocking & Bracing - Ground & Rail US & IMDG Code (May 4, 2025)
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Robert has accrued 20 years of practical experience as a marine surveyor with the National Cargo Bureau (NCB) while fulfilling their mission of “Safety of Life and Cargo at Sea” and maintaining a close working relationship with the US Coast Guard. He has a strong working knowledge of 49CFR, IMDG Code, CTU Code, CSS Code among other pertinent transportation related regulations. NCB maintains eighteen (18) port office locations around the US and conducts various cargo and vessel related surveys including:
Robert currently oversees the daily operations of the US West Coast NCB port offices as the Deputy Chief Surveyor - Pacific Ports. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Logistics and Intermodal Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point), is a licensed ex-mariner and held the rank of Lieutenant with the United States Navy Reserve. |
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Susan Hauge Hazmat Trainer TEN-E Packaging Services
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TRAINING: Packaging Selection & Testing and Best Management Practices (May 4, 2025)
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Susan has worked for over 25 years with the hazardous materials packaging regulations, in a variety of roles, including: Quality manager, project manager and hazardous materials packaging training instructor.
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Pamela Jones Dangerous Goods Specialist DGI Training
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TRAINING: Multimodal Transportation of Lithium Batteries (49 CFR, ICAO/IATA, IMDG Code) (May 4, 2025)
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Pamela joined DGI Training Center with 10 years’ experience in the hazardous materials shipping industry. She previously worked for a chemical manufacturer where her duties included regulatory compliance, classification of chemicals and training of hazmat employees. She teaches all modes of transport and all hazard classes. In addition to instructing DGI classes she also writes dangerous goods training materials and is DGI’s technical assistance guru. Pam has been with DGI Training Center for 26 years and teaches all modes of transport!
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Shane Kelley Director of Standards and Rulemaking Office of Hazardous Materials Safety US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
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SESSIONS: IVODGA North American Briefing Power Hour: Overview of Competent Authority Approval Challenges with Inland Waterway Ferry Shipments of DG in US & Canada Emerging Technologies New Entries for Articles |
Shane Kelley currently serves as the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety’s Director for Standards and Rulemaking. In this role, he employs over thirty years of experience developing and implementing hazardous materials standards on a domestic and global scale. During his many years in public service, Shane has enjoyed working closely the regulated community and with DOT’s intermodal and interagency partners and public stakeholders to effectively advocate for safety standards that are in the public interest. He previously served as the Office’s Assistant International Standards Coordinator and maintains an active role in facilitating development of a safe and efficient global hazmat transportation system. In his spare time, Shane enjoys doing volunteer work for his church alongside of his wife Diana and playing the trumpet. Shane holds a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in chemistry from Columbia Union College.
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Ken Miller New Entrants Program Manager, AXH-160 US DOT Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
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SESSION: Emerging Technologies
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Ken Miller is the Manager of the FAA Office of Hazardous Materials Safety’s New Entrants Program Branch. He and his team support the FAA’s work to safely and efficiently integrate new entrants, including unmanned aircraft systems, into the National Airspace System, by ensuring risks influencing the movement of hazardous materials by air are recognized and mitigated. This multidisciplinary and collaborative work spans functions that include operator certification, certificate management, safety oversight, safety risk management, supporting the development of enabling regulations, supporting the Department of Transportation’s work internationally, stakeholder engagement, and research related to both cargo transportation and special aircraft operations. Ken has been with the FAA Office of Hazardous Materials Safety since 2009. In previous positions, he served as an advisor to the US Panel Member on the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel, supported the development and implementation of the FAA’s Compliance Program, and served as a Principal Hazardous Materials Inspector for domestic and foreign air carriers. Ken also served as a detailee in the Office of the FAA Administrator. His work at the intersection of hazardous materials safety and new entrants began as a small collateral duty in 2017. Ken graduated from the University of Rochester with a BS in Environmental Science and a BA in Political Science. He earned a JD and MPA from Syracuse University. |
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Jessica Nielson Air Carrier Safety Assurance Manager, AXH-370 US DOT Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
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SESSION: Air Carrier Roundtable (ACRT)
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Jessica Nielson is a Branch Manager within the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Carrier Safety Assurance Division in Security and Hazardous Materials Safety - Office of Hazardous Materials Safety. The Safety Assurance Branch consists of the Principal Hazardous Material Inspectors (PHIs) program that manages all Part 121 certificate holder hazardous materials operations. The Branch maintains responsibility for safety oversight activities, implementing FAA initiatives consistent with applicable FAA policies and Orders and serves as a primary interface with FAA’s Flight Standards Service and other lines of business. Jessica was hired by the FAA in April of 2002 as an Assistant Security Inspector in Minneapolis, Minnesota and transitioned to working for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), upon its creation. In 2008, Jessica was promoted to a Supervisory Inspector, during which she managed aviation, cargo, canine and surface security based regulatory oversight activities. In 2016, Jessica returned to the FAA as a Section Manager for the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety in the Great Lakes Region. Following the Program’s functional realignment in October 2017, she served in various managerial and support roles, prior to becoming a Branch Manager. Jessica graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. She resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and four children. |
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Charles Odum Safety Management System (SMS) Division, AXH-700 US DOT Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
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SESSION: North American Briefing
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Charles Odum is a Hazmat Aviation Safety Analyst in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Hazardous Materials Safety (AXH) within the Safety Management System (SMS) Division. The division is responsible for providing expertise in the FAA’s internal SMS and safety risk management processes, identifying safety issues and creating internal safety risk assessments, promoting a robust safety culture via policy, communications, and SMS training, and managing the AXH Voluntary SMS (vSMS) Program for external ORE stakeholders. The division's efforts ensure informed decision-making concerning safety mitigations. Charles began his career with the Department of Transportation in hazardous materials safety when he joined the FAA’s Office of Hazardous Materials Safety in 2007 as a Special Agent. Beyond the typical duties of a hazardous materials safety professional, Charles focused on the identification of unique offerors of hazardous materials through research and analysis. His efforts led to outreach with organizations such as The MLB Network and The Sports Video Group. Charles joined the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) in 2014 as the Systems Integrity Safety Coordinator (SISP) in the Eastern Region. Responsibilities included researching and analyzing information found in PHMSA databases, other inherently governmental sources, and industry experts. As an SISP Coordinator, Charles engaged stakeholders with large and complex operations collaboratively to improve safety at the systemic level. Not only have these stakeholders increased the safe transportation of hazardous materials in their program, but also for those doing business on behalf of their organizations. Participating organizations have successfully petitioned for new rulemaking and significant Special Permits (SP), including the first SP that allows non-traditional workers to perform limited pre-transportation functions due to their ability to manage the associated risks through systems safety procedures. Charles returned to the FAA in 2023 and joined the new Safety Management System Division as a subject matter expert with a focus on hazmat safety. Charles looks forward to collaborating with stakeholders as part of the new vSMS (Advisory Circular 120-119) program. |
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Jon Pelis Sr. Manager, Dangerous Goods / Product Regulatory Compliance
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SESSIONS: Best Practices on Using 3PL to Ship DG EIHM/DGP Part 1: Enterprise Engagement in DG Compliance - Costs of Non-Compliance
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Jon has more than 30 years in the Dangerous Goods / Environmental field since he graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Public and Environmental Affairs. He is currently the Senior Manager, Dangerous Goods & Product Regulatory Compliance for Boeing Global Services based in Dallas, TX and is responsible for a globally disperse team that manages dangerous goods and chemical transport compliance regulations for Boeing locations worldwide. Jon holds current DGSA and CDGP accreditations, along with certifications from Dangerous Goods training in the US, Australia, Canada, Europe, Mexico and New Zealand. Jon is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA) since 2019. Jon started his career as a Compliance Specialist with Applied Technology, Inc. in Charleston, SC, packing and shipping hazardous waste for the Department of Defense. He then worked for Heritage Environmental Services in Indianapolis, IN and Charlotte, NC, where he was the Technical Services Manager in charge of special projects. Jon then moved to Greensboro, NC to take a position as Environmental Manager for New Breed Logistics (now GXO Logistics) before transferring to Fort Worth, TX, then started with Boeing in 2006 as the Traffic and Operations Systems Manager for the Aviall (now Boeing Distribution, Inc.) subsidiary. |
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LIN. J. Antonio Perea Perches CDGP - IATA DGR Instructor - Director - CIFFA Global Gate Mexico (GGM)
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TRAINING: Mexican NOMs Compare with 49 CFR (May 9, 2025)
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A hardworking, motivated and proactive Dangerous Goods Specialist who has been in constant preparation in the field with 15 years of experience developing and applying optimization strategies for our client‘s international trade, transportation and logistics operations. See full biography here
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Rachel Piecknick Process Engineer Dangerous Goods, A Division of Berlin Packaging
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TRAINING: Packaging Selection & Testing and Best Management Practices (May 4, 2025)
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As the Process Engineer for Berlin Packaging, Rachel Piecknick works with the sales team and production to develop and implement new package designs, maintain existing test reports, and expand capacity in the production room. While at Berlin Packaging, Rachel designed special permit, single-bottle, multiple-bottle, and cold-chain packaging. Outside of work, Rachel enjoys traveling, tennis, and cooking. Rachel received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University.
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Julie Prescott, DGSA Sr. Regulatory Compliance Specialist COSTHA
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TRAINING: ADR 2025: Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road - Recurrent (May 5, 2025)
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Julie has more than 20 years of experience with the transportation of dangerous goods regulations (49 CFR, ADR, IATA DGR, IMDG Code & TDGR), and uses her knowledge and experience to develop and deliver training programs to ensure compliance with the regulations. She provides technical consulting services to Currie Associates, the Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA), and the International Vessel Operators Dangerous Goods Association (IVODGA). Julie keeps current on industry trends and regulations, and through her work with the GPAC, MACTDG and the RID/ADR/ADN Joint Meeting, she maintains strong working relationships and credibility with regulatory authorities and is able to provide timely and current regulatory information to clients and trade associations. She serves as the COSTHA representative at the RID/ADR/ADN Joint Meeting, at the Multi-Association Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (MACTDG) and at the Transport Canada General Policy Advisory Council (GPAC). She also leads the COSTHA Canada Working Group ensuring members are regularly updated on Transport Canada initiatives. Read full bio here... |
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John Redman, CDGP Global Dangerous Goods Senior Manager General Motors - GM Global Technical Center
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SESSIONS: Lithium Batteries - Best Management Practices (May 7, 2025)
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Senior Manager of Dangerous Goods Compliance for General Motors with 27+ year career managing the development, standardization, and execution of enterprise-wide dangerous goods programs. Responsibilities include providing regulatory compliance oversight and high-level regulatory guidance regarding the proper handling, transport, compliance, and management, of dangerous goods for 87+ GM facilities. Evaluates and tracks all lithium battery and dangerous goods transport regulations/legislation, while providing strategic recommendations and targeted solutions to Executive Leadership team. As General Motors Dangerous Goods Transportation SME, John interacts directly with a variety of government agencies to research and obtain accurate interpretations. John also has the privileged to represent General Motors in numerous industry groups including the Supplier Partnership and SAE and is honored to represent TMNA as a board member of both COSTHA & PRBA including participating as a member of their delegation to the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts. |
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William Schoonover Associate Administrator US DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
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SESSION: Modal Briefing / US Enforcement
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William S. "Bill" Schoonover has served as the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety, within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration since 2016, serving as the senior career official for hazardous materials safety oversight in support of the safe transportation of more than 3.3 billion tons of regulated hazardous products valued at more than $1.9 trillion, annually. He guides the management of the hazardous materials program’s $105 million budget and the more than 230 people who work to promote safe transportation of hazardous materials. Previously, Bill served as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations, leading PHMSA's comprehensive outreach and enforcement oversight program. Mr. Schoonover has over 40 years of experience in the transportation industry and brings a wealth of experience having worked in several modes. Prior to joining PHMSA, Bill served with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for more than 20 years. He served in several progressive positions from a field inspector to the Staff Director of FRA's Hazardous Materials Division, within the Office of Railroad Safety where he served as the chief advisor to the agency on railroad hazardous materials safety issues. He began his career in 1980 with the United States Coast Guard. Mr. Schoonover also served with the Coast Guard Reserve from his active-duty departure until retiring from military service in 2003. |
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Paul Serafin Air Carrier Safety Assurance Division Manager, AXH-300 US DOT Federal Aviation Administation (FAA)
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SESSION: Air Carrier Roundtable (ACRT)
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Paul Serafin is the Division Manager for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Air Carrier Safety Assurance Division in Security and Hazardous Materials Safety - Office of Hazardous Materials Safety. The Safety Assurance Division consists of 5 Branches focusing on inspection and investigation activity along with Part 135 manual reviews, and the Safety Assurance Program, comprised of the Principal Hazardous Materials Inspectors (PHI). The Division handles certificated and non-certificated oversight activities and investigations on a national level. In addition, the PHI program manages all Part 121 certificate holder hazardous materials operations. The Division maintains responsibility for policies, procedures and guidance in implementing FAA’s compliance and enforcement program consistent with applicable FAA policies and Orders and serves as a primary interface with FAA’s Flight Standards Service and other lines of business. Paul joined the FAA straight out of college in November of 2001 as part of the post 9/11 Assistant Security Inspector Program. He went on to work for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) during the organizational split between FAA and TSA. In 2009, he was promoted to a Supervisory Inspector, managing security based regulatory oversight. In 2011, Paul returned to the FAA as a Section Manager for the Office of Hazardous Materials Safety in the Great Lakes Region. Before taking on the role of Division Manager, he supported the Program’s functional realignment in October 2017, with developing and implementing operational policies and procedures. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2001 with a Bachelor of Arts in Cinema Studies and Creative Writing, Paul resides in Chicago, Illinois. |
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Stephen Sowa Senior Director of Sales Dangerous Goods, A Division of Berlin Packaging
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TRAINING: Packaging Selection & Testing and Best Management Practices (May 4, 2025)
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Steve brings over 27 years of expertise in the field of UN packaging, with a specialized focus on chemical and biological packaging solutions. He spearheaded the launch of BUNCKER® Pro Line Heavy to the U.S. market—a groundbreaking UN-certified packaging solution for lithium batteries. With its recently acquired DOT-SP 21690, this innovative product enables the shipment of multiple batteries per BUNCKER via freight or rail without inner packaging. Steve holds an M.S. in Environmental Science and Management from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA, and a B.S. in Environmental Science from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. |
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Rebecca Spaulding Senior Consultant Environmental Resource Center
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TRAINING: Canada: Transport Dangerous Goods Canada Regulations (TDGR) - Compare with 49 CFR (May 8, 2025)
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As a senior consultant with Environmental Resource Center, Rebecca provides customized hazardous materials/dangerous goods transportation compliance assistance (DOT/IATA/IMO) for many different industries. For the past 23 years she has provided hazardous materials and dangerous goods training, consulting, and auditing services to numerous clients in the chemical, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical industries as well as treatment, storage and disposal facilities. Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Geoscience and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Boston College. Her technical specialties include Hazardous Materials Transportation (DOT) and Dangerous Goods Transportation (IATA, IMO, ADR, TDG, NOM, and ADG). She has customized training seminars in Spanish and English to meet the compliance requirements under DOT, IATA, IMO, focusing on shipments of infectious substances, explosives, and lithium batteries for motor carrier drivers, rail and tank car shipments, and shipments by ground within Europe (ADR). Rebecca has also managed training and consulting projects in the transportation regulations for importers and exporters into Mexico (NOM), Canada (TDG), Europe (ADR), Brazil and Argentina under the domestic regulations and Mercosur Agreement, and to Australia (ADG). She has audited dozens of facilities in the USA, Canada and Europe for compliance with their domestic and international modal transportation regulations. More recently, Rebecca has expanded training and consulting services to customers who manage fleets of drivers transporting hazardous materials and waste to ensure compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) DOT regulations. |
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Richard Trester Sr. Safety Consultant J. J. Keller
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TRAINING: 49 CFR Recurrent (May 8, 2025)
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With over 10 years experience in education and training, Richard is a highly effective consultant specializing in FMCSA regulatory compliance, hazmat and CSA best practices. Core Competencies
Credentials
Professional Education/Experience
“Connect, communicate, and cultivate — these are my three Cs to successful relationships with clients and people in general.” |
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