National Safety Council names Deborah Hersman as new president

Itasca, IL – The National Safety Council announced today the appointment of Deborah A.P. Hersman as the president and CEO of the 100-year-old organization chartered by Congress to prevent unintentional injury and death. Hersman, who currently is the chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board, will be joining NSC at its headquarters in Itasca, IL.

“Debbie is a recognized leader in safety, with a frontline understanding of the value of protecting human life through thoughtful attention and management of risk,” said Jeff Woodbury, chairman of NSC board of directors. “Her proven leadership and expertise made her the ideal candidate to take the Council successfully into its second century.”

Hersman is acknowledged as a visionary and passionate safety leader who advocates for safety across all modes of transportation. At NTSB, she has been on-scene for more than 20 major transportation incidents; chaired scores of NTSB hearings, forums and events; and regularly testifies before Congress.

Hersman was first appointed as an NTSB board member by President George W. Bush in 2004, and was reappointed to two additional five-year terms by President Barack Obama in 2009 and 2013. She was appointed chairman by President Obama in 2009, 2011 and 2013, and served on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee from 1999 to 2004. She also served as staff director and senior legislative aide to former U.S. Rep. Bob Wise (D-WV) from 1992 to 1999.

“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead an organization dedicated to saving lives and preventing injuries,” Hersman said. “The National Safety Council vision of ‘making our world safer’ has the potential to improve every workplace, every community and the way we travel every day.”