AIHA Potomac Section Board Members

President-Elect

Richard Dillahunt Jr, MS, CIH, REHS, serves as a Program Manager of Environmental Health and Safety Services at Federal Occupational Health, a component of the Program Support Center (PCS) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Throughout his 10-year career, he has provided industrial hygiene, occupational safety, food safety, pest management, water quality, and emergency response services to various government and private sector organizations. Richard is a Lieutenant Commander in the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service. He is the 2022 John C. Eason Award recipient, awarded by the U.S. Public Health Service’s Environmental Health Officer Professional Advisory Committee annually, to recognize the accomplishments of an outstanding Junior Officer. He has worked as an industrial hygienist for the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and Marine Chemist Services Inc. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Science in Environmental Health Sciences from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA.

Treasurer, Kay Dietrich

Kay has many years of experience in occupational health and safety including work as a consultant, at a teaching hospital/university, in a refinery, at a natural gas distributor and at a nationally recognized testing laboratory (NRTL). She is currently working as a Health and Safety Specialist for the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.  She has both a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from North Carolina State University and is a Certified Industrial Hygienist and Certified Safety Professional.

Treasurer-elect, Max Chmielinski

Dr. Maximilian Chmielinski completed his PhD at the University of Washington investigating ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure in agricultural workers under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Simpson. His academic work contained three components: dosimetric monitoring of solar and lamp sourced UV, designing a control system to operate a bench top spectroradiometer as a dosimetric device, and using an open-source architectural light simulation engine to predict ambient radiation conditions created by indoor vegetation supplemental lighting. His current position is a consultant working at HP Environmental, where he has managed large water losses nationwide and performed environmental oversight during large renovations on Capitol Hill. Outside of work, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Explorers Club Washington Group and has a wonderful cat that does tricks and comes when called.

Secretary, Damien Hammond

Mr. Hammond has over 20 years of experience providing environmental, health and safety services. Damien possesses a broad knowledge of environmental regulatory compliance requirements, he has a strong educational foundation as well, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of the District of Columbia and a Master of Science in Environmental Sciences and Public Policy from George Mason University. He has served as President of the American Industrial Hygiene Association (Potomac), a Board Member for The Campagna Center, a Human Rights Commissioner for the City of Alexandria, and a Subject Matter Expert for the US Black Congressional Caucus and the US Chamber of Commerce.

Secretary Elect, Aaron Stern

Director Web Admin, Nigel Robinson

Nigel Robinson is an Industrial Hygienist based in Suitland, Maryland, with five years of experience in environmental and occupational health and safety. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Public Health with a concentration in Industrial Hygiene at Tulane University and holds dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Environmental Studies and Exercise Science from Salisbury University. Nigel is also recognized as an Associate Safety Professional (ASP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).

Director At Large, Joy Erdman

Ms. Erdman is a private consultant in occupational safety and health, based in Falls Church, Virginia. Prior to this, she was the senior civilian CIH & CSP working in the Pentagon in support of the U.S. Navy’s occupational safety & health program. Ms. Erdman served on a variety of DoD and Federal Interagency committees and completed the Harvard Kennedy School of Government Program for Senior Executive Fellows. She has taught ethics for industrial hygienists seeking certification maintenance for over 10 years. In 2012, ASSE recognized her as one of 100 women making a difference in safety and in 2020, AIHA recognized her as an AIHA Fellow. Ms. Erdman is past chair of the AIHA Leadership and Management Committee, the current Chair of the AIHA Conference Program Committee, and on the Board of Directors with the AIHA Potomac Section.

Director At Large, Karen Capwell

Karen Capwell, MS, CIH, has over 25 years of experience in industrial hygiene and safety. She spent 15 years implementing safety and health programs in pharmaceutical/biotech laboratories before joining ERG, where she has supported a variety of interesting projects for numerous government and non-profit clients since 2012. Karen has represented the AIHA Potomac section as a science fair judge for many years and is excited to be joining the board. Karen holds a B.S. in biology from Cornell University, an S.M. in Industrial Hygiene from Harvard School of Public Health, and is a Certified Industrial Hygienist.

Director at Large, Mark Geiger

Director at Large, Derek Falzoi

Derek Falzoi, CIH, CSP, CSHM, CHMM, is an occupational health and safety professional with nearly 20 years’ experience preventing workplace illness and injury, practicing the science and art of Industrial Hygiene (IH). He has a Master of Science (MS) degree in Environmental and Waste Management with eight years’ experience at the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) providing IH safety support. Serves as a Chairperson for AOC’s Occupational Safety and Health Community of Practice (OSH CoP) promoting collaboration and ISO 45001 safety management system strategies, and currently volunteers for the AOC and AIHA Mentorship Programs. Promoting effective control strategies and safe work practices, with current initiatives including comprehensive identification of hazardous building materials and thermal illness prevention. In 2024, he received the AOC Architect’s Safety Award, and recent winner of the Institute for Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) 2024 Excellence in EHS Management Award.