DCHAS is a technical division of the American Chemical Society. We have about 1700 members and very active in partnering with other technical divisions and committees of the ACS, as well as sister organizations outside the ACS. We are also the parent division of the ACS Cannabis Subdivision.

Below is a powerpoint summary of the purpose of the Division and its activities. If you would like to share this in an oral presentation, we’ll be glad to share with you the powerpoint file for you to customize for this purpose. Contact membership@dchas.org for this file.

Vision Statement

Improving people’s lives through the power of best chemical health and safety practices

Mission Statement

The ACS Division of Chemical Health and Safety provides authoritative technical resources and mentorship in chemical health and safety for all.

Administrative Information

• The 2021 DCHAS Administrative Manual is available here:  CHAS Admin Manual, March 2023
• Executive Committee Expense Report 2023
• Clothing with the DCHAS logo is available from Land’s End. Connect to the DCHAS web store at https://business.landsend.com/store/chas/
• Tax Return documents:
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020

CHAS provides chemical safety professionals with professional development opportunities by working on Divisional activities. These opportunities enable members to stay up to date on emerging technical and cultural aspects of chemical safety while networking with peers nationally and globally. Many have found this work to an be important asset both for themselves and the stakeholders they work with. To get involved in the Division’s work, indicate your interest in specific opportunities in the form on this page.

Elected Officers

• 2024 Chair: Robin Izzo, Princeton University
• Chair Elect: Michael Koehler, Professional Analysis and Consulting, Inc.
• Past Chair, Chair of Nominating Committee:   Daniel Kuespert, Johns Hopkins University (Participation by Dr. Kuespert does not constitute or imply endorsement by the Johns Hopkins University or the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System)
• Treasurer (term ending 2024): Mary Beth Koza, Univ of North Carolina (retired)
• Secretary (term ending 2026): Monique Wilhelm, University of Michigan-Flint
• Executive Committee Member‑at‑Large (term ending 2024): Shannon Nephew, SUNY Plattsburgh
• Executive Committee Member-at-Large (term ending 2025): Kendra Denlinger, Xavier University
• ACS Councilor (term ending 2025): Kali Aleyse Miller
• ACS Councilor (term ending 2027): Frankie Wood-Black, Sophic Pursuits, Inc.
• Alternate ACS Councilor (term ending 2025): Debbie Decker, Univ of California Davis  (retired)
• Alternate ACS Councilor (term ending 2027): Brandon Chance Southern Methodist University

Committee Chairs

• Programming Committee: Debbie M. Decker, University of California, Davis and Joe Pickel, Oak Ridge National Lab
• Educational ad-hoc Committee: Shannon Nephew, SUNY Plattsburgh and Kendra Denlinger, Xavier University
  • “How to Convince Others (that safety is important and that you’re serious about it)” – Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute
  • Why Fume Hoods Go Wrong- And How to Make Them Right – Victor Neuman, FumeHoodCertified.com
  • Laboratory Waste Management – Russ Phifer, WC Environmental, LLC
  • Chemical Safety in the Lab: Purchasing, Handling, Storage, Disposal, and Labeling – Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute
  • How to be a More Effective Chemical Hygiene Officer – Russ Phifer, WC Environmental and Jim Kaufman, Laboratory Safety Institute
• Awards Committee: Brandon Chance, Southern Methodist University
• Long Range Planning Committee: Sammye Sigmann, Appalachian State University (retired)
• Membership Committee, Website and Email Administrator: Jack Reidy, Stanford University 
• Regional Meeting Committee: Mark Lassiter, Montreat College 
• Audit Committee: Mary Beth Koza, Univ of North Carolina 
• Development Committee: Chris Incarvito, Yale University
• Professional Workshops Coordinator: Russ Phifer, National Registry of Certified Chemists
• Peer-led Initiatives Coordinator: Monica Nyansa, Beyond Benign
• Strategic Plan ad-hoc Committee: Dan Kuespert, Johns Hopkins University (Participation by Dr. Kuespert does not constitute or imply endorsement by the Johns Hopkins University or the Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System)
• Web Presence ad-hoc Committee: Robin Izzo, Princeton University
• Social Committee: Jen MacLachlan, PID Analyzers LLC and Russ Phifer, National Registry of Certified Chemists

Liaisons

• National Registry of Certified Chemists: Russ Phifer
• Committee on Chemical Safety: Ken Fivizzani 
• ACS Division of Chemistry and the Law: Neal Langerman 
• American Industrial Hygiene Association: Bill Galdenzi
• Division of Chemical Education: Dave Finster
• Divison of Chemistry and the Law: Neal Langerman
• Committee on International Affairs: Brandon Chase
• American Intitute of Chemical Engineers: Jerry Jones

CANN Subdivision

• Chair: Julia Bramante
• Past Chair: Andrew Pham
• Vice Chair: Kyle Boyar
• Secretary: Melissa Wilcox
• Treasurer: Mary Beth Koza
• Awards Committee Chair: Michael Coffin
• Programming Committee Chair: Amber Wise
• Membership Committee Co-Chairs: Brandon Canfield and Nick Mulder
• Development Committee Chair: Ezra Pryor
• Senior Advisory Committee Chair: Harry Elston
• Publication Committee Chair: Nigam Arora
• Public Relations Committee Chair: Brittaney Dowd

Leadership History

YEAR    CHAIR    SECRETARY    TREASURER    COUNCILORS

2022 C. Incarvito M.B. Koza F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2021 H. Elston M. Wilhelm    M.B. Koza    F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2020 R. Izzo M. Wilhelm    M.B. Koza    F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2019    S. Sigmann    M. Wilhelm    M.B. Koza    F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2018    J. Pickel    M. Wilhelm    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, D. Decker

2017    H. Elston    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, R. Hill

2016    J. Palmer    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, R. Hill

2015    D. Decker    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, R. Hill

2014    K. Fivizzani    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, R. Hill

2013    D. Schmidt    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, G. Wahl

2012    K. Jeskie    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, G. Wahl

2011    K. Fivizzani    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, G. Wahl

2010    S. Wawzyniecki    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    F. Wood-Black, G. Wahl

2009    R. Phifer    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    G. Wahl

2008    E. Talley    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    K. Benedict G. Wahl

2007    B. Foster    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    K. Benedict G. Wahl

2006    J. Kapin    R. Stuart    N. Langerman    K. Benedict G. Wahl

2005    R. Phifer    B. Foster    E. Talley    E. Segal G. Wahl

2004    Neal Langerman    B. Foster    E. Talley    E. Segal G. Wahl

2003    Robert Hill    R. Phifer    E. Talley    E. Segal M. Solstad G. Wahl

2002    J. Palmer    R. Phifer    E. Talley    E. Segal M. Solstad G. Wahl

2001    F. Wood-Black    R. Phifer    E. Talley    D. Schmidt E. Segal G. Wahl

2000    K. Fivizzani    S. Moon    E. Talley    W. Kingsley E. Segal G. Wahl

1999    R. Hathaway    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    W. Kingsley E. Segal G. Wahl

1998    M. Solstad    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    W. Kingsley E. Segal G. Wahl

1997    P.- Y. Lu    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    A. Norberg E. Segal G. Wahl

1996    W. Kingsley    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    A. Norberg R. Phifer E. Segal

1995    G. Wahl    S. Moon    P. Ashbrook    A. Norberg R. Phifer E. Segal

1994    S. Sichak    R. Hathaway    P. Ashbrook    R. Phifer E. Segal G. Wahl

1993    J. Breazeale    R. Hathaway    S. Szabo    E. Segal M. Solstad

1992    D. Marsick    R. Hathaway    S. Szabo    E. Segal M. Solstad

1991    H. Fawcett    R. Hathaway    S. Szabo    L. Phifer M. Solstad

1990    R. Alaimo    R. Hathaway    S. Szabo    L. Phifer M. Solstad

1989    P. Redden    R. Hathaway    D. Katz    E. Brown L. Phifer

1988    J. Kaufman    E. Garcia    D. Katz    E. Brown D. Walters

1987    L.J. Nicholls    E. Garcia    D. Katz    E. Brown D. Walters

1986    C. Marlowe    E. Garcia    D. Katz    L. Doemeny D. Walters

1985    L. Phifer    E. Garcia    D. Katz    L. Doemeny J. Young

1984    D. Walters    E. Garcia    D. Katz    L. Doemeny J. Young

1983    R. Scott    E. Garcia    L. Phifer    E. Becker J. Young

1982    M. Renfrew    D. Walters    L. Phifer    E. Becker H. Fawcett

1981    L. Doemeny    D. Walters    L. Phifer    E. Becker H. Fawcett

1980    J. Young    D. Walters    L. Phifer    H. Fawcett

1979    H. Fawcett    E. Becker*    E. Becker*

1978    H. Fawcett    E. Becker