BCSP Ambassadors

Alejandro Ruiz

Alejandro Ruiz, MS, CIH, CSP, CHMM, SMP, CHST, CIT is the Executive Director of EHS and the University Safety Officer at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. He has over 20 years in the EHS field and as an active member in EHS at the local, region, and national organizations.

Ruiz served in various appointed and elected positions; including NJ ASSP Chapter President, Co-Director of the Joint NJ-ASSE/NJ-AIHA ASP/CSP/CIH Summer Review Preparation Course and Chair of the NJ State Industrial Safety Committee. He serves on the Safety Executives of New York, ANSI/ASSP Z9-Ventilation Systems Standards, ASSP’s Professional Development Conference Planning Committee, and ASSP’s Educational Standards Committee.

A graduate of NJIT, with a BS in Electrical Engineering & Technology, MS in Safety Engineering, MS in Industrial Hygiene, Alex is also an Adjunct Professor at the Rutgers School of Engineering and an instructor at the Rutgers School of Public Health.

Carl Heinlein, CSP, OHST, STSC, CIT, ARM, CPEA, CRIS, CSHM, FAIHA, FASSP joined the American Contractors Insurance Group (ACIG) in February 2002. He serves as a Sr. Safety Consultant and contributes to the successful safety initiatives of multiple construction clients. Prior to this, Heinlein worked as the Director of Construction Services for FDR Safety. He is also the past National Safety & Health Director for the AGC of America.

Heinlein holds a master’s degree in safety & environmental management from West Virginia University.

Heinlein volunteers his time as a member of the NIOSH and NORA Construction Sector. He also sits on the editorial advisory board for EHS magazine. He served as National Director-At-Large for ASSP from 2017 to 2020 and is a Past President of BCSP. Heinlein was awarded BCSP’s CSP 2019 Award of Excellence.

Cheryl L. (Cheri) Marcham, PhD, CSP, CIH, CHMM, FAIHA is an Associate Professor and Program Chair for the Master of Science in Occupational Safety Management in the Worldwide Online Campus for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She was previously the Environmental Health and Safety Officer for a major university for over 26 years. She holds a B.S. in Biology from Arizona State University, and an M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center Department of Occupational and Environmental Health. She has served on the board of directors of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (formerly ABIH), and is currently the Vice President of the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

Chris is Senior Technical Advisor to the ESH&Q Directorate for UT-Battelle at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). In this unique role, he serves as a thought-leader for the development and implementation of strategies to enhance Laboratory safety culture and operational performance.

Chris has over 30 years of experience in ES&H in a broad range of industries. He is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Safety Management Professional (SMP). He is a past-President of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), a past-President of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), and a past-President of the International Network of Safety and Health Professional Organizations (INSHPO), a global network of organizations representing the safety profession.

Christin Fine, CSP, CIT, Director for EHS at a large research facility, where she focuses on leading the Environment, Occupational Health, and Safety Programs. She holds an M.S. in Safety, Security & Emergency Management from Eastern Kentucky University, a B.S. in Occupational Safety and Environmental Health from the University of North Dakota and is a certified safety professional (CSP) and certified instructional trainer (CIT).

Christina Georghiou, CSP is the Senior Manager of Global EHS Governance at SCIEX, a Danaher company, and a Federal OSHA–authorized Construction Safety Outreach Trainer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Oceanography from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Science in Environmental and Occupational Health from California State University, Northridge, where she served as President of the Environmental & Occupational Health Students Association.

Christina brings extensive national and international experience in safety leadership, training, and consulting across diverse industries, including aerospace, automotive, construction, insurance, and medical device manufacturing. She is deeply passionate about sharing her expertise in deploying effective EHS management strategies and building forward-thinking, high-performing safety cultures that drive sustainable organizational success.

Donald D. Elswick, CIH, CSP, CHMM, CIT, has over 30 years of government and multi-industry experience, holding several senior positions in Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) organizations. Don is an Occupational Environmental Health & Safety (OEHS) Solutions Specialist for ELSMART Associates, LLC. He was formerly the Executive Director of the University of Alabama (UA) SafeState, Division of Industrial and Environmental Programs, which provides vision and leadership for environmental safety and health outreach activities for the University in partnership with groups, individuals, employers, and agencies external to UA. In 2022, he was chairperson of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and served on the state of Alabama’s Technical Advisory Committee on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (TAC-STEM). Don has supported oversight of implementing companies’ EHS policies, procedures, standards, guidelines, and practices in government operations, the chemical industry, high-speed manufacturing, and the food industry. He is the Local Section Chair of the local section advisory group (LSAG), a member of the Thermal Stress Working Group (TSWG) for the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), and an active member of the advisory committee for the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP). Don retired as a Commander (CDR) in the United States Navy, serving as a Medical Service Corps Officer.

Location: Saudi Arabia

Hafiz Muhammad Ali Hassan, CIT, the child of Nisar Ahmed Bhatti, showed an early fascination with both mechanics and safety, foreshadowing a unique career path that would blend the two fields in ways previously unimagined. Hassan has a passion for premium certifications, being the first safety professional to become a certified CIT in Saudi Arabia. Hassan has mentored more than 2500 trainees of engineering and safety during his health and safety career. Most recently, Hassan was a crucial part of opening the new Al Bassam Center for trainees to have access to a closer training facility than TOPSYS, located in Saudi Arabia. Hassan also instructs marketing and awareness sessions in Saudia, leading more people to become aware of credentials, with many trainees achieving BCSP certification.

Jeremy Mollet, CSP, CHST, OHST, STS has spent his career in diverse roles across a vast array of industries. These include, but are not limited to, agriculture, chemical, construction, mining, and oil and gas sectors. This spectrum of industries allows Mollet to hone skills in Workplace Safety, Safety Management Systems, Environmental Management, Transportation, Regulatory, Compliance, and Analysis.

Education is a central pillar in his professional journey. A holder of an MBA, Finance, and a MSc, Management, Mollet integrates Safety, Health and Environmental strategy and execution with business and management. His dedication to continuous professional growth and commitment to uphold the highest standards of safety is reflected by safety certifications and designations including, Canada (CHSC CRSP), the United States (CHST OHST CSP CHMM), and the United Kingdom (CMIOSH SIIRSM).

A strong proponent of community and social service, Mollet is committed to cultivating a culture of safety. He aims for the well-being of all individuals in the workplace, recognizing this is the foundation upon which successful, thriving communities are built. He believes safety is not just a regulatory requirement, but a value, defining how we interact with our work, our colleagues, and our world. Safety and well-being of individuals in the workplace is not just good ethics, but also good business.

Location: Canada

Jessica Bohan, CSP, OHST, ARM has worked in the field of safety and health for over two decades. She currently works for Zenith Insurance Company as a Safety and Health Manager where she manages a team of safety and health professionals and is well known for lively, interactive presentations.

Bohan has a Bachelor of Science degree from Florida State University and a master’s degree in public health from the University of South Florida.

She is a former Director for BCSP. In 2014, she was honored by BCSP with the naming of the 2014 scholarship the “Jessica J Bohan Technician, Technologist and Supervisory Scholarship.”

Bohan is a member of ASSP and she has served as an Adjunct Professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Kevin Chothani is a distinguished EHS and Sustainability leader with over 22 years of experience across diverse sectors, including infrastructure asset management, advanced manufacturing, chemical processing, automation, R&D, heavy engineering, and complex construction. A Gold Medallist in Electrical Engineering, he further holds a Post Diploma in Industrial Safety and an International Diploma in Occupational Safety & Health.

Kevin’s credentials include CSP (Certified Safety Professional, BCSP), CIH (Certified Industrial Hygienist, BGC), Chartered Safety & Health Professional (IOSH), and Environmental, Social, & Governance (ESG) specialization from the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI).

Throughout his career, he has successfully led high-impact EHS and sustainability programs for leading organizations such as Sekura, Adani, Alstom, GE, L&T, and Gammon India.

Dr. Jenkins is an Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) executive with over 12 years of experience leading enterprise-scale EHS governance, risk management, and compliance programs across complex, multi-site operations. He currently serves as the EHS Campus Manager for Microsoft, providing strategic and operational EHS leadership for Microsoft facilities and operations across the Atlanta, Georgia metropolitan area.

Dr. Jenkins is a Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST). He is an Authorized OSHA Outreach Trainer and a certified ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 Auditor, with extensive experience assessing management system conformance, regulatory alignment, and operational effectiveness.

Dr. Jenkins specializes in the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of EHS management systems aligned with regulatory requirements and internationally recognized standards. His technical background includes occupational health and industrial safety, environmental compliance, sustainability performance management, and contractor and construction safety oversight. He has led the integration of EHS controls into facilities operations, capital projects, and enterprise business processes to ensure consistent risk mitigation and regulatory assurance.

Throughout his career, Dr. Jenkins has directed cross-functional teams in the execution of hazard identification, risk assessments, and incident investigations using structured root cause analysis methodologies. His leadership has driven measurable improvements in safety performance indicators, audit readiness, and regulatory inspection outcomes, while strengthening governance, accountability, and operational discipline.

Mary L. Silva, CSP is a senior risk engineering consultant at Crum & Forster, a property and casualty insurance company. Silva is a 30+ year safety professional who has worked in the insurance, telecommunications, petrochemical/oil & gas, and construction industries. She holds a BS from the University of Oklahoma in chemical engineering, pre-med.

Silva currently holds the CSP certification and is also a BCSP Ambassador which serves to spread the benefits of certifications. She is also very active in volunteering with ASSP at the local and national level.

Matthew F. Herron, MS, PE, CSP, CPE, CSHO is the Sr. Safety Engineer for the Mechanical Engineering Division at Southwest Research Institute®. He has over 13 years of experience as a practicing Safety Professional within a wide variety of industries including healthcare, R&D, automotive, and aerospace.

Mr. Herron holds a MS in Industrial and Operations Engineering (NIOSH Trainee – Occupational Safety Engineering and Ergonomics Program) from the University of Michigan and a BS in Physics from the University of West Georgia.

He is also volunteers as a leader for ASSP and was most recently elected Region III Vice President (2022-2025).

Mike Bova is the Corporate Safety Director at Erie Insurance Group. Prior to his current position, Mike served in several capacities within Erie Insurance’s Underwriting operations. Mike has also worked in loss control and risk management consultative roles at AIG in Boston, MA and at Aetna Life and Casualty in Pittsburgh, PA and Hartford, CT.

Mike earned a BS in industrial safety management from IUP, and an MBA from the University of Hartford. Mike also holds the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations and is a professional member of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

For the past 26 years, Mike has been an Adjunct Professor at Gannon University, instructing in both the School of Business and School of Engineering, and has previously served for 12 years on the Erie County Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC). Mike is also a board member of the American Red Cross of Northwestern PA, the Catholic Foundation of Northwest PA, and is a Community Member of the UPMC-Hamot Patient Safety & Quality Committee.

Outside of work, Mike enjoys sailing on Lake Erie.

Ria is a Chartered occupational safety and health professional (CMIOSH) with over twenty years of leadership experience across high-risk and operationally complex sectors, including downstream energy, transport and distribution of dangerous goods, shipping, food services, retail, and logistics.

She specializes in management systems and the design and implementation of robust, people-centered management systems. Ria has a strong track record in developing, embedding, and auditing integrated Quality, HSE and ESG management systems that drive both regulatory compliance and sustained performance improvement. She is a BCSP-certified Safety Management Professional and an ISO Lead Auditor, Implementer and Trainer across multiple management system standards.

Beyond her professional role, Ria is an active advocate for advancing occupational safety and health in the Caribbean. She regularly contributes her expertise through professional bodies, thought leadership, and volunteer initiatives aimed at strengthening safety culture, leadership capability, and decent work outcomes across the region.

Richard Pollock, CSP is the President of Rivendell Safety Consulting, LLC, a safety and organizational performance consulting firm, and is the Executive Director of the Fleet Safety Leadership Council (FSLC), an organization focused on issues related to direct delivery and route services. Areas of professional specialization include organizational performance, adult education, work design, and human error.

Pollock is a professional member of ASSP and was the 98^th ASSP Society President.  He serves on the advisory boards of the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health and the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater Department of Occupational & Environmental Safety. He recently served as Vice President and Director on the BCSP Board and was their representative and President-Elect to the International Network of Safety and Health Professional Organizations. Pollock was also the Vice Chair of the BCSP Foundation.

Pollock graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater and is a CSP.

Skipper is President of Kendrick Global Enterprises, LLC, specializing in safety processes, management systems, and training. He is a recognized leader in safe-ty and training. Skipper holds numerous prestigious certifications and awards, including ASSP’s Society Fellow, Safety Professional of the Year and BCSP’s Life-time Achievement.

Sondra Lavoie is a Risk Control Specialist with SOMPO, recognized for her expertise and leadership in safety and risk management. She holds multiple esteemed industry certifications, including ARM, CSP, ASP, CHST, and STS, and is a two-time recipient of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals Award of Excellence.

With a career spanning many years in construction and insurance, Sondra demonstrates an unwavering commitment to risk mitigation and cultivating a strong culture of safety. Her ability to identify potential hazards and implement effective control measures reflects both technical proficiency and strategic foresight. Passionate about advancing safety standards and advocating for women in the industry, Sondra’s proactive approach and dedication make her an invaluable resource to her clients and a respected voice within the broader safety community.

Subba Rao Palagummi, CSP, CMIOSH earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, a master’s in occupational safety & health with environment management, and an MBA in safety management. He has an extensive global experience of nearly three decades in implementation of SH&E management systems for oil and gas and other industries in line with international standards.

Palagummi is a CSP and serves as a BCSP Ambassador. He is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (CMIOSH) and has a Functional Safety Engineer certification from TUV Rheinland.

Rao is associate with ASSP and serving as Area Director, under Region IX.