Expert Details
MSHA, Safety, Risk Management, Mining Industry
ID: 734926
Virginia, USA
• Ensured proper and consistent nationwide policy implementation.
• Lead an innovative program of new and revised mine safety and health policies for metal and nonmetal mine operations.
• Visionary and strategic planner with a focus on the development of clear and concise objectives.
• Results driven leader focusing on the evaluation of policy implementation in the field to ensure objectives are achieved.
• High-level manager and leader in the administration of nationwide metal and nonmetal mine safety and health inspection, investigation and assistance programs through a system of 6 district offices and 47field offices, with a focus on budget, human capital, and information management.
15 years experience as a self employed consultant for general industry, OSHA, DOT compliance and the mining industry for MSHA compliance.
Education
| Year | Degree | Subject | Institution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year: 1993 | Degree: Bachelors of Science | Subject: Business | Institution: Geneva College |
| Year: 2014 | Degree: N/A | Subject: Leadership for a Democratic Society | Institution: The Federal Executive Institute |
Work History
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 1995 to Present | Employer: Undisclosed | Title: President/Safety Consultant | Department: |
Responsibilities:Owner and operator of a safety and training consulting business that provides safety and training services to clients in insurance, general industry, and mining operations. Provide consulting on complex mine safety and health issues, training in accident investigation procedures and safety committee development. Other areas of expertise include: disaster and emergency planning; mine rescue; accident investigations; litigation preparation; regulatory compliance; statistical analysis; safety training and self-insured worker’s compensation management. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2011 to 2017 | Employer: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA | Title: Deputy Administrator | Department: |
Responsibilities:Senior Executive in charge of national inspection program, compliance with Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.Leadership Accomplishments: • Effectively managed the completion of all mandated inspections of 6 district offices and 47 field offices, responsible for leading and directing an enforcement organization of six district offices, 47 field offices, and over 350 inspectors located across the country. This covers more than 12,500 mines nationwide, often in remote and difficult to reach locations. • Worked with stakeholders to improve enforcement action consistency across all districts and field offices. MSHA was not consistent with enforcement of similar standards across all districts. Evaluation of the situation indicated mine safety and health inspector training programs were a cause. Implemented a policy that training programs be developed by headquarters staff instead of the districts. Mine Inspectors now receive approved, timely training that results in consistency across all districts. The number of complaints decreased. • Developed and instituted guidelines to promote consistency in settlement discussions with mine operators. Data analysis revealed inconsistency in settlement results across the six districts as each developed their own procedures on how these discussions were held. In order to gain consensus on an approach, formed a committee consisting of members from three districts to review and recommend guidance for all districts to follow. The guidance was adopted and all districts are now following the same procedures for settlement discussions. The resulting guidance promotes consistency in settlement discussions with mine operators. • Was the Acting Administrator during the FY2013 and FY2014 period when the program area budget was cut from $90 million to $73 million due to sequestration. The budget was discussed with the six districts with a goal set of completing all inspections within budget, without a reduction of the workforce. Alternative reductions included limiting travel costs; vehicle costs; training costs; restrict travel; utilizing conference calls and video conferences; and other ideas to reduce expenses. The budget cuts enacted were successful, and we were able to complete all mandated inspections without a reduction in workforce. • Improved relationship with MSHA alliances and stakeholders. MSHA's Alliance program enables organizations committed to mine safety and health to collaborate with MSHA to prevent injuries and illnesses in the workplace. • Developed and instituted a hazard alert program to notify industry of injury trends. The alerts were posted on the website, emailed to mine operators and discussed by mine inspectors during mine inspections. This program resulted in historic reduction in mine fatalities. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2010 to 2011 | Employer: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) | Title: Chief of Safety and Health | Department: |
Responsibilities:Senior leader responsible for providing guidance and oversight of the safety and health provisions of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act) and the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act). Provided direction, planning, coordination, and evaluation of Metal and Nonmetal programs. Supervised a staff that includes mine safety and health specialists, mining engineers and industrial hygienists. Conducted field inspections to ensure that safety and health programs are effective and accomplished in accordance with MSHA policies, procedures and instruction. Coordinated with the Office of the Solicitor on actions involving litigation resulting from enforcement actions initiated by mine safety and health inspectors.Leadership Accomplishments: • Developed and instituted the first training program for field office supervisors. The training was developed to address enforcement consistency across all districts. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 2008 to 2010 | Employer: Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) | Title: Senior Mine Safety and Health Specialist | Department: |
Responsibilities:As Senior Mine Safety and Health Specialist, served as an expert consultant on technical and directional aspects of the mission of Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Consulted with and advised top-level officials of MSHA, DOL, Federal, State and local governments, labor unions, mining industry, and the public on policies and procedures related to 30 CFR. Answered questions from the public, mining industry, and the press as they related to MSHA activity. Reviewed letters from Congress and general public related to mining issues, investigated and drafted appropriate responses.As Senior Mine Safety and Health Specialist, served as an expert consultant on technical and directional aspects of the mission of Metal and Nonmetal Mine Safety and Health Administration. Consulted with and advised top-level officials of MSHA, DOL, Federal, State and local governments, labor unions, mining industry, and the public on policies and procedures related to 30 CFR. Answered questions from the public, mining industry, and the press as they related to MSHA activity. Reviewed letters from Congress and general public related to mining issues, investigated and drafted appropriate responses. |
|||
| Years | Employer | Title | Department |
| Years: 1974 to 1997 | Employer: Florence Mining Company | Title: Corporate Safety Director | Department: |
Responsibilities:23 years of mining experience. Certified Mine Foreman, Miner’s certificate, explosives instructor, MSHA certified training instructor, and certified mine rescue instructor. Experience included installation/planning/monitoring and operating mining systems. As Safety Director, was responsible for monitoring all mining systems. As Section Foreman, was responsible for operation of the mining system, including supervising a crew of eight miners. Was responsible for compliance with state and federal regulations and for development and compliance with the company safety program. Managed self-insured worker’s compensation program. Reduced citation rates at all mines under my control. Reduced injury rates at all mines under my control. |
|||
Government Experience
| Years | Agency | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years: 2008 to 2017 | Agency: Mine Safety and Health Administration | Role: Deputy Administrator | Description: Senior Executive in charge of national inspection program, compliance with Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. |
Career Accomplishments
| Associations / Societies |
|---|
| ASSP, BCSP |
| Licenses / Certifications |
|---|
| CSP, ARM Certified Safety Professional (CSP), 1994 Associate in Risk Management (ARM), 1999 American Society of Safety Engineers, Professional Member, 1993 Pennsylvania Certified Mine Foreman, 1985 |