Foulke Announces Several Key Appointments
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. recently announced new appointments to key executive positions at the agency.
Steven F. Witt has been appointed as the new director of OSHA's Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs. Witt began his career at DOL in 1972 as an attorney in the Office of the Solicitor. In 1983, he joined OSHA and held several positions including special assistant to the assistant secretary and director of the Directorate of Standards and Guidance. He served as the director of OSHA's Directorate of Construction since October 2006.
Jennifer A. Ashley has been named the new director of the Office of Communications. Ashley has more than 20 years of experience in media and communications management, primarily in federal and state government relations and in the academic and legal arenas. Prior to joining OSHA, she served as the director of communications for the International Association of Fire Chiefs, and was also associate director of external affairs and director of alumni affairs for the University of North Carolina School of Public Health.
Ken Nishiyama-Atha has been selected as the new regional administrator for OSHA's Region IX, headquartered in San Francisco. In 1997, Nishiyama-Atha began his career with OSHA as a safety specialist in the Milwaukee area office. During his 11-year tenure with the agency, Nishiyama-Atha has served as assistant area director for OSHA's Appleton, Wis., area office, and as area director in the Columbia, S.C., and Mobile, Ala., area offices. Prior to his new appointment, he was the acting deputy regional administrator in Region III, headquartered in Philadelphia.
John Hermanson has been selected as OSHA's new regional administrator for Region III after serving as deputy regional administrator for Region VIII (Denver). Hermanson began his career with OSHA in 1976 as an industrial hygienist in the agency's Indianapolis area office.
"It is a privilege to have these professionals in our agency who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience," Foulke said. "I congratulate them all on their new positions, and look forward to working with them as we continue to pursue the mission of promoting the safety and health of America's working men and women."