Speaker Biographies
John Amos is founder and President of SkyTruth, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to strengthening environmental conservation by illuminating environmental problems and issues through the use of satellite images, aerial photographs, and other kinds of remote sensing and digital mapping. John has 15 years of experience with remote sensing, emphasizing innovative and cost-effective applications for public- and private-sector clients including major energy and mining companies and government agencies. His expertise spans project design, image processing and image analysis, and training. He has performed image-based investigations of land-use status, environmental change and pollution assessment, including a three-year NASA study to develop new techniques for detecting natural and human-caused oil slicks on the continental shelf. Mr. Amos holds a Master of Science in Geology degree from the University of Wyoming, and lives in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.
Glenn R. Archambault is a property owner along an interstate gas pipeline. Currently, he and his wife Terri Magruder DVM. and son Malcolm ( Mac), own and operate a sheep farm with 300-500 ewes and lambs in Phoenix, Oregon. Mr. Archambault has 30 years experience as a heavy equipment mechanic, welder/fitter, automotive electronics technician and has been employed in the mining, forest products, and agriculture industries. His Academic background includes diesel power management, metallurgy, welding technology, and automotive electronics. He has 13 years of experience with pipeline safety as a citizen volunteer and landowner dealing with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the federal Office of Pipeline Safety, and local and state government.
Vice Admiral Thomas J. Barrett, USCG (Ret.) was sworn in May 31, 2006, by Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta as the first administrator of the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Nominated by President Bush on January 24, 2006, Barrett was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 26. Barrett most recently was the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Potomac Institute for Policy Studies. Prior to that, he served 35 years in the United States Coast Guard and attained the position of Vice Commandant. In that capacity, he served as second in command, Agency Acquisition Executive, coordinated the Coast Guard Leadership Council, and co-chaired with the Vice Chief of Naval Operations the Navy-Coast Guard Board, an inter-service policy coordination body. Previously, he directed Coast Guard operations in the North Pacific, including the Gulf of Alaska, Eastern Bering Sea, and Arctic Ocean. Barrett earned a B.S. in Biology from LeMoyne College, Syracuse, N.Y., and a Juris Doctor with honors from the George Washington University. He is a graduate of the Army War College and the National Defense University Capstone Course in National Security Strategy and Military Capabilities.
Breean Beggs has been on the Board of Directors of the Pipeline Safety Trust since its inception, and was instrumental in working with the U.S. Department of Justice to obtain the Trust’s initial funding. He has been the Chief Catalyst at the Center for Justice since February of 2004. His law practice emphasizes the rights of individuals against government agencies and companies that discriminate against individuals based on their race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, and free expression of ideas. Prior to joining the Center, he practiced law for twelve years in Bellingham, Washington with the firm of Brett & Daugert, where he focused on plaintiff’s personal injury, civil rights and timber trespass. Breean graduated from the University Of Washington School Of Law in 1991 as Order of the Coif. He graduated from Whitworth College in 1985 with a B.A. in International Studies. Breean has volunteered in his community with the Volunteer Lawyer Program, the ACLU, the Literacy Council, the Washington State Trial Lawyers, The Washington State Young Lawyers Division, his church and youth sports programs. He is married to Laurie Powers and they are raising three children together near Manito Park.
Terry Boss is Vice President of Environment, Safety and Operations for the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA). INGAA is the trade association that represents interstate natural gas pipelines in the United States, Canada and Mexico. INGAA’s members deliver over 90 percent of the natural gas consumed in the US, via over 180,000 miles of transmission pipeline systems.
Bruce Brabec is the step-dad of Liam Wood, one or three boys killed in Olympic Pipe Line Company’s pipeline rupture and explosion in Bellingham, Washington in June 1999. He is now retired, but previously was the Executive Director of Northwest Youth Services in Bellingham. He is a current and founding board member of the Pipeline Safety Trust. He and Liam’s mom, Marlene Robinson, have testified several times to Congressional committees in support of stronger regulation regarding pipeline safety.
C. Gweneyette Broussard is a senior legislative and regulatory representative for Shell Pipeline Company LP and has held numerous positions within the company for over 20 years. She currently is responsible for pipeline safety legislation and regulatory advocacy, public awareness outreach and SPLC’s damage prevention program. She has lead and served on numerous industry workgroups and committees, including the American Petroleum Institute’s Communications Committee, Committee on Environment, Health and Safety and Public Awareness Committee. She co-chairs the industry’s effort in developing a survey program for the API Recommended Practice 1162, the public awareness outreach standard for those who live and work along pipelines. A graduate of the South Texas College of Law and the California State University-Los Angeles, Gweneyette and her husband, Mark, live in Houston, Texas and have one child, Justin.
Thomas Bubenik, Ph.D. is currently Vice President of Integrity Services at CC Technologies Services, Inc. From 1990-2003 Dr. Bubenik was Program and Resource Manager at the Battelle Memorial Institute Pipeline Technology Center. Dr Bubenik has over twenty years of experience in pipeline integrity assessments, in-line inspection tools and their capabilities, direct assessment techniques and methodologies, and field data collection. He has managed a large number of experimental, numerical, and analytical projects. Prior to joining Battelle, Dr. Bubenik worked for ten years with Exxon Production Research Company, where he conducted and led research programs related to pipelines, materials, welding, and structural analyses. Dr. Bubenik’s research experience also includes the development of analysis tools for corroded and damaged pipelines and repair techniques for pipelines. He received a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in St. Louis in 1976, a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Washington University in 1977, and a Ph.D. in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics from Northwestern University in 1979.
Rusty Burroughs is Region Manager of Entergy’s Gas Operations in New Orleans and Baton Rouge and has over 25 years of service with Entergy. His current job responsibilities as Regional Manager – Gas Operations are very diverse across Entergy’s Gas Business. Geographically, responsibilities for his position include leading and managing 134 employees in Entergy’s Gas Distribution and Transmission Business in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. He has responsibility for construction, maintenance, cathodic protection, leak survey, valve maintenance, and paving restoration in both New Orleans and Baton Rouge; and additional responsibilities for metering, measurement, and gas customer service in the Baton Rouge operation. For the 8 months following Hurricane Katrina, he was assigned overall responsibility for storm restoration in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, a position affectionately referred to as “Gas Storm Boss.” In addition to getting the gas system restored, he has been the face of Entergy’s Gas Business in the television and print media, and in front of regulators like the City Council of New Orleans and the Louisiana State Legislature to provide restoration status reports. He earned a B.S. in Finance from LSU, and an MBA from Tulane University. Rusty and his bride of 26 years, Melissa, have 3 wonderful children.
Karen Butler is currently a Community Assistance and Technical Services Regional Project Manager for the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) in the Central Region Office located in Kansas City, MO. Karen has been with PHMSA a little more than 3 years. Karen brought to this position in excess of 20 years experience in the natural gas utility business. This experience included operations associated with gas transmission, gathering and distribution systems. As previous Director of Compression Operations for Kansas Pipeline Company, her previous responsibilities included due diligence on mergers and acquisitions, rate case assistance, daily operations oversight for the compression facilities, SCADA projects and training, project and personnel management. She has worked in transmission operations, construction and design departments. Karen received an Electrical Engineering degree from Kansas State University and has worked for Panhandle Eastern, MGE and Kansas Pipeline Company (MidCoast Energy, Enbridge). Her home is in Spring Hill, Kansas.
Gini Cooper is the chairman of the Floyd Unified Landowners Association (FULA) in Floyd County, VA. The group was formed in 2001 to address landowner concerns with a proposed 30 inch gas transmission line in the county. The focus for the group has been to gather and disseminate information about the project and pipeline safety as well as to provide advocacy for landowners during negotiation. In November 2004, Ms. Cooper was appointed to the Department of Transportation’s Technical Pipeline Safety Standards Committee as a public representative. Ms. Cooper has worked with public groups as well as industry groups to promote the use of collaborative process in environmental projects and improve communication between stakeholders. She presented the landowner perspective at FERC’s Outreach Workshop in 2002 and participated in panels at FERC’s Southeast Energy Infrastructure Conference and API’s Annual Pipeline Conference. In 2005, Ms. Cooper gave a presentation on improving landowner-company communication at SGA’s Leadership Conference and in 2006 presented at Environment Virginia on improving public engagement. Ms. Cooper is a licensed therapist in the Commonwealth of Virginia and a court-certified mediator.
Kimbra Davis joined the Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Administration’s Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) in February 2003. She is a Community Assistance and Technical Services (CATs) Program Manager for the Western Region which is located in Lakewood, CO. Her role in the OPS focuses on enhancing communications and education to all stakeholders in pipeline safety. Ms. Davis graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1989 with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering. She has 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, primarily pipeline systems and refining operations. Ms. Davis also holds a M.S. in Business Administration from the University of Denver.
Royce Don Deaver, P.E. has been President of DEATECH Consulting Company in Houston, Texas since 1997. His work involves expert witness activities involving design, construction, operations, maintenance, corrosion control, testing, and work place safety of pipelines and other industry facilities. From 1964 to 1997 Don worked for Exxon Pipeline Company involved in most all aspects of pipeline operations. He has been a member of over 25 technical committees including many for ASME, API, and TAPS.
Jim Doherty has been an attorney for 28 years, working almost exclusively with local government issues as an assistant attorney general, assistant city attorney, and, for the past thirteen years, as a legal consultant for Municipal Research & Services Center in Seattle Like most municipal lawyers in the State of Washington, I knew almost nothing about transmission pipelines prior to the 1999 Bellingham tragedy. After the Bellingham tragedy, I volunteered to take the lead on pipeline safety issues at Municipal Research, partly because I had been dealing with many franchising issues related to telecommunications. For the following two years, municipalities in Washington responded toward pipeline companies in a very adversarial way. It took time for municipal officials to understand the roles of the various stakeholders and to accept the limited role that local governments play in regard to what happens within a pipeline easement. In Washington State over the past three years I have worked with a group of municipal officials, industry representatives, state regulators, and occasionally federal regulators, who have met to look at options for cooperating to enhance pipeline safety.
Dr Roy Dokka joined the Department of Geology & Geophysics at LSU in 1980 as an assistant professor after receiving his Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the University of Southern California. He was promoted to Full Professor in 1990 became the first recipient of the Adolphe G. Gueymard Professorship in Geology & Geophysics in 1998. In 2001, he became the first Executive Director for the Center for GeoInformatics. Recently, Dr. Dokka joined the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering and is helping build new research and academic programs in Geodesy and Geoinformatics. In 2003, he was selected as the Fruehan Endowed Professor of Engineering. He has the unique distinction in that he is the only professor in LSU history to have been honored with endowed professorships from two different colleges. His current research interests center on the application of the Global Positioning System (GPS) and geodetic leveling to study the massive subsidence that is affecting Louisiana’s coast and mid-continent, and on understanding the role that tectonism and climate play in creating landscapes.
J. Andrew Drake – Education & background: Graduated from The Ohio State University in 1982 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial & Systems Engineering. Andy is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. Work Background: After graduation, Andy joined Texas Eastern as an Engineer in the Technical Services Department within Engineering. Through his career he has served as Manager of Construction for both supply and market area construction offices. Currently, Andy serves as the General Manager of Technical Services for Duke Energy Gas Transmission. Industry Responsibilities: Andy has served on several Industry technical research committees, including Chairman of the Industry Pipeline Safety Committee as well as Chairman of the Gas Industry Integrity Management Initiative. Currently, he serves as Chairman of the ASME B31.8 Gas Piping Standard Committee and is serving on the Technical Advisory Committee to the DOT’s Office of Pipeline Safety.
Lois N. Epstein, P.E. has worked for Cook Inlet Keeper as a Senior Engineer and an Oil and Gas Industry Specialist since 2001. Previously she worked for Environmental Defense (formerly Environmental Defense Fund) in Washington, D.C. on pollution prevention and measuring industrial environmental performance. Prior to these positions, Lois worked for two private consulting firms and the U.S. EPA Region 9 Office of Water. Currently she works to improve the performance of the oil and natural gas infrastructure in Alaska’s Cook Inlet watershed and to prevent new oil and gas development in sensitive areas through research, writing, and speaking. She has presented invited testimony before the U.S. Congress on eight occasions. Lois is a licensed Professional Engineer in the States of Alaska and Maryland and is a member of the federal Office of Pipeline Safety’s advisory committee on hazardous liquid pipelines. She has a masters degree from Stanford University in Civil Engineering with a specialization in environmental engineering and science, and undergraduate degrees from both Amherst College (in English) and MIT (in mechanical engineering).
Richard Fineberg is the principal investigator for Research Associates of Ester (Fairbanks), Alaska. For three decades, Richard A. Fineberg has researched and reported on economic and environmental issues related to Alaska and global petroleum development. Fineberg came to Alaska in 1969 to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in political science at the University of Alaska, leaving that position in 1971 to devote full time to freelance reporting. In 1983 Fineberg entered government service, where he held the position of senior advisor to the Governor of Alaska on oil and gas policy between 1986 and 1989. In this capacity, his portfolio included issues such as oil and gas litigation, national energy policy and revenue forecasting, as well as special assignments. Since leaving government he has consulted and prepared reports for non-profit organizations, government agencies, independent developers and private investors. Recently he has reported on oil and gas development in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and the Russian Far East and prepared a chapter on Alaska’s petroleum litigation for the book, Caspian Oil Windfalls: Who Will Benefit?
Stacey Gerard currently serves as the Acting Assistant Administrator and Chief Safety Officer of DOT’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. She assists the Administrator and Deputy Administrator in establishing agency-wide safety and security policies, objectives, and priorities relating to the transportation of hazardous materials by all modes of transportation including pipelines. Ms. Gerard is accredited with reorganizing the Department’s pipeline safety program into a more effective organization focused on building partnerships to solve safety problems. Ms. Gerard’s list of accomplishments includes the establishment of a National One-Call number for the protection of underground infrastructure, the Common Ground Alliance, and partnerships with the National Association of State Fire Marshals. Ms. Gerard has focused on cleaning up the agency’s record on outstanding Congressional mandates and recommendations from oversight agencies. Other accomplishments include the development of pipeline integrity management, risk management, mapping, and environmental programs. Ms. Gerard has also played an active role in pipeline safety program authorizations since 1992. In 2004, Ms. Gerard received the Presidential Meritorious Executive Rank Award for her “sustained accomplishment” in leading the Office of Pipeline Safety to become more efficient and effective in applying new technologies, being results driven and significantly reducing pipeline leaks, incidents and spills.
Gene Gould is a retired Junior High School teacher, with degrees in English Literature and Education [B.A., B.Ed.]. Mr Gould is a founding member of “Friends of Rockwood Park”, a non-political, self-funding volunteer group opposed to the construction of a 30″ natural gas transmission pipeline through Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada by Emera Brunswick Pipeline Co.
Denise M. Hamsher works in Enbridge Energy Company’s U.S. headquarters based in Houston and has been with the company for over 20 years. She currently is Director of Public, Government and State Regulatory Affairs responsible for pipeline safety regulatory advocacy, media relations, state commercial regulations of pipelines and government relations within the U.S. Denise has lead and served on a number of industry workgroups and committees and has been on DOT’s Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee since the mid-1990’s. She joined others in leading development of the API 1162, the public awareness outreach standard for those who live and work along pipelines. Denise has led the public consultation effort on a number of major liquid and natural gas pipeline construction projects, including some that are currently underway in the Midwest. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Denise and her husband, Dennis, have three children.
Katie Hansen is a practicing attorney in Washington State, and has been on the Board of Directors of the Pipeline Safety Trust for nearly two years. She is a member of the Washington State Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety, and has served that committee as both Chair and Vice-Chair. Ms Hansen also served as the Coordinator for the Washington State City & County Consortium on Pipeline Safety which formed after the Bellingham pipeline tragedy.
John Jacobi joined the Office of Pipeline Safety, Southwest Region in 2003 with over 20 years of natural gas and liquids pipeline experience. A professional engineer (TX) and licensed attorney (TX & FL), he began his career with the U.S. Army Materiel Command becoming Chief Engineer, Lake City Army Ammunition Plant. His private sector experience includes 13 years with Tenneco Inc. and Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP) including stints as a Planning Manager, Manager of Technical Services, and as an attorney dealing with health, safety and environmental compliance issues for both Tenneco Inc. and TGP. He left Tenneco for a career as an environmental consultant focusing on regulatory compliance, pipelines and energy issues. At the state level, he served as Chief, Bureau of Environmental Health for the Texas Department of Health where he managed regulatory programs. A former Presidential Exchange Executive, Mr. Jacobi received his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (with Honors) from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, his Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Texas A & M University, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Mr. Jacobi resides in Houston with his wife of 38 years, Jane. In his spare time, he enjoys flying, golf and bridge.
Andrea Johnson joined API’s Standards and Training Group as a Standards Associate in 1999. In that role she supports the following Refining Subcommittees: Piping, Heat Transfer Equipment, and Mechanical Equipment. As these groups are the most active in the ISO/TC 67/SC6 work, She also supports API’s International Standards Coordinating Committee and acts as US TAG Administrator for downstream/refining work items in TC67. She also acts as a liaison to other ISO TC’s developing standards for the oil and gas industry. She currently is the Measurement Associate managing the entire portfolio of API’s Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards for the oil and gas industry. She supports API’s Pipeline Standards committees and is the US TAG Administrator for ISO/TC67/SC2. Ms. Johnson joined API in 1997 as the Inspector Certification Program Manager, after 8 years of experience at an organic chemical manufacturing plant where she held positions as Project Engineer, Process Safety Management Manager, and ISO 9000 Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maryland.
Blaine Keener is the Community Assistance & Technical Services (CATS) Coordinator for PHMSA’s Office of Pipeline Safety. The CATS Program, which began in 2003, seeks to facilitate communications among all pipeline safety stakeholders. Components of the CATS Program include Damage Prevention, Pipeline Repair Permit Facilitation, Public Awareness, and Encroachment. Blaine manages two Cooperative Agreements for OPS, one with the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) and one with the National Association of State Fire Marshals (NASFM). Blaine holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from Lehigh University and a Masters in Management from the State University of New York at Oswego.
Joe Killins is President of Joe Killins & Associates. He provides consulting services for design, construction, operations, regulatory compliance and integrity management for both hazardous liquid and natural gas pipelines. He has been providing consulting services for the last six years following his retirement from ARCO Alaska Pipelines in 2000. While serving with ARCO he held a variety of engineering and management positions in pipeline field operations. This included district engineer in Midland, TX; district supervisor in Shawnee, Oklahoma and district manager in Mazon, Illinois. He was a manager of regulatory compliance for approximately 10 years interfacing design, construction and operation requirements with environmental, health, and pipeline safety regulatory mandates.
Rick Kivela graduated from Michigan Technological University in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, Rick was hired by Panhandle Eastern Pipe Line Company in the Engineering Construction Department. Over his 27 year career in the natural gas transmission industry, Rick has held positions in Construction, Environmental Compliance, Facility Planning, Project Management and Operational Compliance. In his current position as Manager, Operational Compliance, Rick is responsible for ensuring compliance with pipeline safety regulations for Duke Energy Gas Transmission’s U.S. pipeline operations. Rick is an active member of ASME B31.8 and the INGAA Pipeline Safety Committee.
David Knoelke graduated from Marquette University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering Degree in 1974. He started with Amoco Pipeline in 1974 in an engineering capacity and has held a variety of roles such as Engineering Supervisor, Crude Oil Supply Specialist, Technical Service Supervisor and Safety and Integrity Coordinator with both Amoco Pipeline and BP Pipelines N.A. after the merger. He currently holds the role of Senior Regulatory Compliance Coordinator and serves on multiple API Committees (Chairman of API’s Public Awareness Committee, Member of API’s Data Mining Team and Member of API’s Performance Excellence Team).
Elizabeth Komiskey is a Senior Program Manager in the Office of Program Development for the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration, Office of Pipeline Safety in Washington D.C. Prior to joining PHMSA in 2006, Elizabeth worked for the Minerals Management Service in New Orleans, Louisiana and was the lead engineer responsible for reviewing pipeline design, repair procedures, and performing offshore inspections during pipeline construction and operation for the Gulf of Mexico. During the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, she was a primary member of the MMS COOP team responsible for handling all pipeline emergency and safety issues, and the continuance of permitting activities for the temporary office located in Houston, Texas. Elizabeth worked as pipeline design engineer for Project Consulting Services, Inc. in Metairie, LA from 1997 until 2002. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering for the University of New Orleans and is a registered professional engineer in Civil Engineering in the state of Louisiana.
Richard Kuprewicz is president of Accufacts Inc., a pipeline consulting firm based in Washington State providing independent “Clear Knowledge in the Over Information Age.” He brings over 33 years experience in the energy industry offering special focus on appropriate pipeline design and operation in areas of unique population density or of an environmentally sensitive nature. He provides neutral third party analysis to assist decision makers in reaching appropriate and informed conclusions regarding pipelines, including their risk assessment and management. He has represented numerous parties concerning sensitive pipeline matters. The vast majority of these clients are public citizens, or representatives of local city, county, state, or federal governmental agencies, or organizations that need highly specialized expertise regarding critical pipeline system matters.
Michael J. Khayata brings approximately 18 years of engineering experience to his position as a Community Assistance and Technical Service (CATS) regional manager. Michael has been working on a special assignment by leading a White House Task Force to expedite environmental permit reviews for pipeline inspection and repair activities. He has been working with the Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) since October 1997. Since 1997, he has been responsible for several different roles including a pipeline safety inspector, compliance officer/engineer, and CATS manager. Prior to PHMSA, Michael worked 8 years for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as an engineer and project manager. In those roles he was responsible for overseeing many aspects of petroleum and hazardous waste cleanup projects.
Chuck Lesniak has lived in Austin, Texas for over 25 years, is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Aquatic Biology, and is a Registered Environmental Manager. He has worked for the City of Austin in the environmental field for over 16 years. Until 1999, when Austin joined a lawsuit over conversion of a local pipeline from crude oil to refined products, Chuck didn’t know pipelines from Shinola. However, he is now (fortunately or unfortunately) the City of Austin’s “Pipeline Guy”. In addition to the Longhorn lawsuit, Chuck helped develop Austin’s pipeline setback ordinance and led the risk analysis and technical evaluation of two other pipelines in the Austin area. More important than all of that are his wife, son, age 9, daughter, age 6, and the fact the Texas Longhorns were last year’s National Champions in football. Hook’ em!
Shelley Miller – In 2004 I found out that we were the not so proud landowners of 4 high pressure interstate pipelines all of which sit in a corridor nestled between 2 rows of homes. From the back of one home to the other it is approximately 108 feet, the pipelines occupy 75 feet of this space. 45 feet of my 54 foot deep back yard is pipeline easement. The distance from my bedroom to the nearest pipeline is 24 feet. As a result I have found myself drafted into the world of pipeline safety, in an effort to protect my family and my neighbors. Speaking at local governmental meetings, subdivision meetings, and sitting across from governmental aides begging for assistance. We have been successful in having setback ordinances issued in our county and 3 cities in this county. However; these only protect future development, not those of us who are already living with the nightmare of not being able to use our backyards as we please, losing our property values or the risk that we face living with these 4 vintage pipelines. “So you have a concern about the pipeline on your property, who cares?”
Nathan Muehl is the manager of Marathon Pipe Line’s Damage Prevention & ROW Relations department, where he is responsible for landowner relations, easement management and administration, damage prevention, public education, depth of cover remediation, one-call screening and right-of-way monitoring. Since joining Marathon in 1987, Mr. Muehl has held a variety business, operations and accounting positions. His experience at Marathon has included strategic planning, products scheduling, budget and forecasting, marketing and business development projects. He graduated with a bachelor degree in Business from Eastern Illinois University in 1987. He has been a Certified Management Accountant since 1990. Mr. Muehl is also active in his community, serving as a volunteer for the United Way of Hancock County and Cancer Patient Services. He and his wife, Stacy, have two children, Nicole and Brandon, and reside in Findlay, Ohio.
Bruce Nestleroth, Ph.D. is Research Leader in Battelle’s Pipeline Group. He earned his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering and his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia where he studied ultrasonic wave propagation. He is responsible for the inspection technology development effort at the Pipeline Simulation Facility at Battelle. For the past 16 years, he has been advancing magnetic flux leakage and other electromagnetic technologies for internal inspection of pipelines, developing and quantifying methods for detecting corrosion, cracking and mechanical damage. This includes both traditional pigs that are pushed by the product flow and sensors for crawlers. Dr. Nestleroth organizes a workshop on “Pipeline Inspection Using Intelligent Pigs” held twice a year in Columbus, and presents the MFL portion of the workshop.
Tim Osborn is the eastern Gulf Coast Navigation Manager for the Customer Affairs Branch of the Navigation Services Division of the Office of Coast Survey within NOAA’s National Ocean Service. In that position he serves as the Regional Coordinator for Coastal Programs for NOAA and is involved in the development of the Louisiana Spatial Center and implementation of the Elevation Survey Project for South Louisiana. He is the Regional Manager for Coastal Charting and Tide and Water Level and Geodetic Programs for Louisiana and along the Northern Gulf Coast. He is the Project Manager of many coastal projects and restoration programs and efforts from the Florida Keys to Texas. Tim is a native of Tampa, Florida. He completed his undergraduate work at Florida State University and received graduate degrees in marine science and public administration from Louisiana State University.
Carol M. Parker is an environmental attorney. She received her J.D. magna cum laude from the University of New Mexico School of Law in May 2004 where she was awarded a Natural Resources Certificate, the Albert E. Utton Natural Resources Law Award and the Law Alumni/ae Association Prize. The latter prize was awarded for an early draft of her thesis, The Pipeline Industry Meets Grief Unimaginable: Congress Reacts with the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, available at http://lawschool.unm.edu/nrj/volumes/44/1/08_parker_pipeline.pdf. After she graduated, she clerked for the Honorable Bruce D. Black, U.S. District Judge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is now an Assistant General Counsel for the New Mexico Environment Department. Before she went to law school, she was an Associate Vice President for Morgan Stanley for eighteen years. She received her M.B.A. summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico Robert O. Anderson School of Management. She also has a M.S. and B.A. in Biology from the University of Rochester. She lives in Placitas, New Mexico with her husband.
James M. Pates recently retired after serving 18 years as the City Attorney of Fredericksburg, Virginia. During that time, he gained national recognition in his efforts to reform pipeline safety regulation in the United States. The City of Fredericksburg twice lost its entire public water supply due to accidents involving an interstate petroleum pipeline owned by Colonial Pipeline Company. As a result of those accidents, Mr. Pates was a co-founder and served as vice-president of the National Pipeline Reform Coalition. He has testified before Congress on various pipeline legislation, authored the Virginia Liquid Pipeline Safety Act, published two law articles on pipeline safety, and produced a public service video, “Out of Sight, Out of Mind: What Every Local Government Should Know About Pipeline Safety.” He served on a Congressionally mandated Transportation Research Board study panel charged with studying the feasibility of developing standards for local governments to use in adopting land use measures that could minimize the risk of transmission pipeline accidents. Prior to his position as City Attorney, Mr. Pates served as staff counsel on the Government Operations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives and as Senate lobbyist for a banking trade association. He is a 1972 magna cum laude graduate of Amherst College and the University of Virginia Law School.
Raymond Paul joined the AOPL in April of 2000, and is currently the Director of Public Affairs. Mr. Paul has worked on legislative and communications matters focusing on energy policy since 1990. Prior to joining the AOPL, he served as Legislative Representative at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – United States of America (IEEE-USA) focusing on issues relating to electric utility deregulation. He also worked at the public relations firm Hill and Knowlton as Account Supervisor and provided counsel and strategic planning to clients with interests in the areas of energy, environment and foreign affairs. Mr. Paul also spent six years working for Senator J. Bennett Johnston in various capacities..
Bob Rackleff is the President of the Board of Directors of the Pipeline Safety Trust, a founder of the Pipeline Safety Reform Coalition, and has been active advocating for better pipeline safety since the early 1990’s. He is a two-term (about to be three) County Commissioner in Leon County Florida. He was a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter, Senator Edmund Muskie, Secretary of the Treasury Michael Blumenthal, Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall, and continues as a speechwriting and public relations consultant with major corporations and foundations. He enlisted in the navy in 1963 and saw active duty from 1965-1967. He is a retired Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Naval Intelligence Reserve. Bob received a B.A. in History, and M.A. in American Studies from Florida State University.
G. “Ram” Ramachandran is a native of Madras, India, but has lived near New Orleans, Louisiana, for over 24 years. He is a three term elected councilman for the St. Charles Parish, and has served as Chairman of the Council. Ram served as Chairman of the National Association of County Officials’ Environment, Energy, and Land Use Steering Committee. Ram retired in 2001 as Principal Engineer at Cytec Industries where he had worked for over 32 years. He then formed his consulting company and serves major industries in the area. The International Society for Measurement and Control elected him a Distinguished Life Fellow in Engineering in 1994, the first Louisiana engineer so honored in 50 years. In 2004 he was appointed to the Outer Continental Shelf Policy Committee of Mineral Management Service to advise the U.S. Secretary of Interior.
Ross Reineke has in excess of 29 years experience in the pipeline industry, working with major oil companies such as: Amoco Pipeline (6 years); Texaco Pipeline (16 years); and Shell Pipeline (5 years). He has extensive knowledge of pipeline operations, project engineering and construction practices. Ross has been with the DOT (Office of Pipeline Safety) since May 2004. Ross has experience in a broad range of areas, including: hydro testing, anomaly evaluation and repair, new construction, nitrogen purges and finished product terminal design. His general project management work involved resource allocation and budget management, procurement, safety standards and procedures, employee training, scheduling and follow-up. Ross is a graduate of Purdue University (B.S.; Civil Engineering) and the University of Phoenix (MBA).
Chris Stockton is a senior communications specialist at The Williams Companies, Inc. He is responsible for implementing a public education program covering more than 15,000 miles of interstate natural gas pipeline, including the Transco, Northwest Pipeline and Gulfstream pipeline systems. He has been with the company for 11 years. Prior to joining Williams, Stockton spent two years as a journalist in Central Texas.
Tim Sweeney is the policy and outreach coordinator for the Washington state pipeline safety program where he has prepared studies on pipeline public awareness and on land use guidelines near transmission pipelines. His current project is on small gas pipeline systems. He handles all communications for his program, including its website and listserv. Previously, Tim has been a telecommunications policy analyst and the legislative liaison for the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission. He also was a policy analyst for the Washington State House of Representatives for 10 years. He started his career as a newspaper reporter, photographer and editor. He holds a masters degree in public administration and a bachelors degree in journalism. As a hobby, he produces a television magazine on birding called Birdwise shown on Olympia’s local public access channel
Lori S. Traweek is currently American Gas Association senior vice president, operations and engineering, Lori Traweek is in her seventeenth year at AGA. Traweek’s previous experience includes work as an offshore and onshore engineer for Arco Oil and Gas Co. in Texas and Louisiana. She holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and a B.S. degree in communications from Ithaca College. AGA’s operations and engineering management department supports members’ efforts to improve safety, reliability and cost-effectiveness. Lori also serves on the GTI Board and the Research Partnership for Securing Energy in America Board. Married, with two children, Lori received the American Public Gas Association Personal Service Award, was a 2004 Rader Energy’s Key Women in Energy-Americas Leadership honoree, received Purdue University’s 2005 Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Achievement Award and the 2006 National Association of State Fire Marshals Norman Y Mineta Excellence in Transportation Safety Award.
Susan Waller has more than 27 years of experience in the energy industry. Ms. Waller is Vice President, Oil & Gas Sector for Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc. (Shaw). Before joining Shaw, Ms. Waller worked as Vice President for Regulatory Compliance Partners, Inc. and prior to that served in numerous roles over her 23 year career with El Paso Corporation. She was the Director of Government and Project Affairs for El Paso Corporation, where she was responsible for building “grass root” communications for existing operations and new pipeline and LNG projects. She conducted local public meetings related to pipeline projects and operations, implemented enhanced public safety awareness programs, educated the public and government on pipeline safety and security. In addition, Ms. Waller served on the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) Recommended Practice 1162, “Public Awareness Programs for Pipeline Operators” task force as a contributing author. Ms. Waller also works with clients regarding the FERC’s NEPA Pre-Filing process for the siting of new natural gas pipeline and LNG projects. In April 2002, the FERC recognized Ms. Waller as a distinguished industry leader for integrating stakeholder outreach concepts into new interstate pipeline and LNG facility business plans.
Michael J. Watza is a principal attorney with the firm Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti & Sherbrook in Michigan. He heads the firm’s governmental affairs practice, concentrating on litigation involving governmental and regulatory matters on behalf of municipalities as well as the non-profit and private sectors. In almost two decades of experience, he has represented clients in state and federal courts, and has argued regulatory issues before the Michigan Public Service Commission, the Michigan Tax Tribunal and the Department of Labor and Economic Growth. He has also represented his clients’ interests by negotiating and drafting legislation for the Michigan legislature on a variety of issues. Mr. Watza received his J.D. from Detroit College of Law. He earned a B.A. from Michigan State University.
Carl Weimer is the Executive Director of the Pipeline Safety Trust, which came into being after the 1999 Olympic Pipeline tragedy in Bellingham Washington. He is currently a member of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Technical Hazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Standards Committee, and is also the Chairman of the Governor appointed Washington State Citizens Committee on Pipeline Safety. He has testified to both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate on pipeline safety issues, organized the first ever National Pipeline Reform Conference in Washington DC, pushed for stronger pipeline safety legislation on the national and state level, runs the national Safe Pipelines and LNG Safety listserves that include over 500 people from around the country, and regularly serves as an independent source of pipeline safety information for news media around the country. In the fall of 2005 Carl was elected to a four-year term on the County Council where he lives.
Steve Weinberg is one of the leaders of the Timber Road residents of East Brunswick, NJ, fighting the efforts of the Williams Transco pipeline company to clear cut the 40 year old street trees that form a canopy over their block – a block which also serves as a right-of-way for the Williams Transco pipeline. The restraining order the neighbors obtained from the NJ District Court is still in force while Williams Transco seeks to build a case that can convince the court that their plans are reasonable. Chances are if Steve’s East Brunswick group can prevail against Williams Transco, this will become a watershed case in forcing pipeline companies to deal reasonably with urban neighborhoods when it comes to the safety monitoring of their pipelines. A city planner and veteran of the social activism of the 60’s, Steve sees many parallels between the attitude of the large national pipeline companies and their supposed Federal regulators and the attitude of government, universities and corporations during the Vietnam War era.
Victor F. Weston (Vic) is President of Tri-State Road Boring, Inc. which he founded in 1975. He is an original founding director of the Common Ground Alliance representing the road builders and currently serves as its treasurer. Additionally, he serves as a board member for the Associated General Contractors of America and last year was its national treasurer. In 1992, Vic had the honor of being president of the Louisiana Associated General Contractors and since 1993, has been its Treasurer. He also serves on the Advisory Council for Construction Management for Louisiana State University and is on the advisory board for the Trenchless Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University. In 2003 Vic was elected Vice-Chairman of the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Vic is a graduate of Loyola University of New Orleans.
Jeff Wiese is PHMSA’s permanent Pipeline Safety Program Development Director, as well as it’s Acting Deputy Associate Director. Jeff directs several programs for PHMSA including: damage prevention and community involvement initiatives, field implementation of the Integrity Management Program rules, pipeline stakeholder communications, research and development, and OPS’ National Pipeline Mapping System. In the past Mr. Wiese also directed budget development, user fee assessment, and oil spill planning and preparedness. Prior to arriving at PHMSA nearly eight years ago, Mr. Wiese worked for fifteen years in matters related to offshore oil and gas safety for the Minerals Management Service – including stints as Director of its Safety and Environmental Management and OCS Performance Measures Programs, as well as its Chief of Staff for Offshore Operations and Safety Management.
Harold Winnie is currently a Community Assistance and Technical Services Regional Project Manager for the Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration (PHMSA) in the Central Region Office located in Kansas City, MO. Harold has been with PHMSA a little more than 3 years. Harold brought to this position in excess of 20 years experience in the utility business. He has been involved in steel and plastic pipe failure investigations; weld failure investigations; plastic pipe fusion procedures; qualification of the procedures to DOT and ASTM specifications; and in resolution of DOT compliance issues. Most recently, he was Vice President of Operations for Trafford Corporations, a natural gas distribution construction company. His previous employers include SEMCO in Michigan and Missouri Gas Energy in Kansas City. Harold has a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri at Rolla and a Masters in Business from Webster University.
Norm Winter has 27 years of energy related experience specializing in natural gas pipeline operations, land & Right Of Way. During his 22 years working at Tenneco Energy (later merged with El Paso Energy), Mr. Winter held several positions of increasing responsibility with Tenneco/El Paso including 8 years as Manager & Director of the Right Of Way Department. Mr. Winter also assisted with the development of El Paso’s Project & Community Affairs Department and its Public Outreach Programs. From 2001-2006, Mr. Winter performed Business Development, Marketing and Project Management for Northeastern Land Services, Ltd,, a Land and Right Of Way consulting firm that supplied personnel and services to several energy firms. Duties at Northeastern Land Services, Ltd., included staffing, contract negotiations, account management, client relations and consulting services. Mr. Winter now serves as a Client Program Manager for Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure out of Shaw’s Houston, Texas Briarpark office. In his current position, Mr. Winter is charged with assisting in the development of Shaw’s emerging pipeline, oil & gas practice. Education: Bachelor of Arts, Economics, State University of New York College at Buffalo, Buffalo, New York, 1979.