Trump to nominate Lemos to short-staffed Chemical Safety Board

Washington — President Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Katherine Lemos as a member of the Chemical Safety Board.

According to a June 13 White House press release, Lemos – who is based in California – currently serves as director of programs for the aerospace division of Northrop Grumman Corp., a global security company headquartered in Falls Church, VA. The release touts Lemos’ “distinguished background in system safety, accident investigation, human factors, and advanced technology research and integration.” Her previous experience includes roles with the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board.

If confirmed by the Senate to a five-year term, Lemos would help buoy an agency Trump has moved to eliminate. An Environmental Protection Agency Office of Inspector General report issued May 20 indicated that CSB vacancies and expiring member terms were among challenges “that, if not addressed, may impede [CSB’s] ability to efficiently and effectively achieve its mission or meet its goals.”

CSB has operated with only three of its five board seats filled – and without a permanent chairperson – since Vanessa A. Sutherland resigned from the top post in June 2018. The terms of the sitting board members, including interim Executive Authority Kristen Kulinowski, are slated to expire in December, February and August 2020, respectively.