Chairperson Vanessa Allen Sutherland
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I am honored to begin my five year term as Chemical Safety Board Chairperson and Member. I look forward to a highly productive and collaborative experience with my fellow board members and the CSB's staff.
I have spent the last four years as Chief Counsel for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) at the U.S. Department of Transportation, allowing me a strong background and understanding of the functioning of government, and perhaps more importantly the value of safety. I also have worked at the U.S. Department of Energy in the Inspector General’s office and for regulated companies, which I hope will allow me to communicate with our varied stakeholders to articulate our mission, work and expertise.
As I said at my confirmation hearing, I believe that safety is a shared responsibility. That responsibility extends far beyond the corridors of K street as well as a facility’s fence lines. Safety extends into the homes and communities that are most impacted by the devastating accidents that the CSB is responsible for investigating – accidents that forever affect families and communities.
I am excited to lead the CSB in executing its important mission – together, we can and will achieve meaningful safety change that works towards the elimination of and mitigation of serious chemical accidents, and protects workers, the public and the environment.
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