Bob serves as Vice President of HazMat Safety Consulting, providing strategic dangerous goods regulatory guidance to organizations worldwide. With more than 40 years of experience in hazardous materials transportation safety, he brings deep regulatory insight, global perspective, and an extensive professional network to help clients navigate complex domestic and international compliance frameworks with confidence.
From 2006 to 2010, Bob served as Deputy Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety at the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation. In this role, he directed the day-to-day operations of the U.S. Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety Program, overseeing regulatory development, technical review and classification, international standards engagement, outreach, special permits and approvals, and enforcement functions.
Bob has played a pivotal role in shaping global dangerous goods transportation policy. He served as Chairman of the United Nations Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, responsible for publishing the UN Model Regulations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. He also served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel, contributing directly to the development of international civil aviation regulations governing the air transport of dangerous goods. As the U.S.-nominated panel member, he represented national interests in advancing aviation safety standards. In addition, Bob led U.S. delegations to the International Maritime Organization Dangerous Goods, Solid Cargoes and Containers Sub-Committee, working closely with the U.S. Coast Guard on technical proposals and maritime incident response. He played a major role in modernizing the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code into its current structure.
Throughout his career, Bob has not only contributed to the drafting and implementation of regulations but has developed a nuanced understanding of their intent and practical application—insight that is invaluable to organizations operating in highly regulated environments.
Since transitioning to private practice, Bob has advised clients ranging from multinational corporations to small businesses. His work includes compliance audits, hazardous materials classification, regulatory interpretation, development of training programs and operational manuals, and strategic guidance for navigating domestic and international transport regulations.
Bob also served as Executive Director of the Medical Device Transport Council (MDTC), an organization dedicated to promoting the safe and efficient transport of lithium batteries and battery-powered medical devices. The MDTC works collaboratively with regulators to enhance transportation safety while identifying risk-reduction strategies that avoid unnecessarily burdensome requirements—ensuring life-saving products move through global supply chains safely and efficiently.
Through regulatory leadership, international diplomacy, and practical consulting expertise, Bob helps organizations build defensible, compliant, and sustainable dangerous goods programs.
Bob holds a Certified Dangerous Goods Professional credential from the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM).
