AIHA Potomac Section Board Members

President, Richard Dillahunt Jr.

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 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. 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.

Past- President, Lauren Kesslak

Lauren E. Kesslak, CIH, CSP is an Industrial Hygienist in the DC metro area. Lauren has a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Saint Francis University (Loretto) and a Master of Science degree in Biology from Shippensburg University.   She is Certified in Comprehensive Practice by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (CIH), and by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (CSP).

President-elect, 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.

Treasurer, 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.

Treasurer-elect, Josh Bostic

Secretary, Aaron Stern

Aaron Stern has over 17 years in environmental health and safety and sustainability. He has an MS in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences from CUNY, an MNR in Environmental Sustainability and Leadership from Virginia Tech, and a BS in Integrated Science and Technology from James Madison University. He's particularly interested in supporting and developing students and early career professionals and maintains a CSP and CHMM.

Secretary-elect, 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 Web Admin, Nigel Robinson

Nigel Robinson is an Industrial Hygienist based in Suitland, Maryland, with six years of experience in environmental and occupational health and safety. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences from CUNY and holds a graduate certificate in IH studies from Tulane University, Bachelor of Science degrees in Environmental Studies and Exercise Science from Salisbury University. Nigel is also recognized as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and an Associate Safety Professional (ASP) by the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP).

Director at Large, Mark Geiger

Mark Geiger, M.S., M.S.E., CIH, CSP, recently retired, continues to support the field of industrial hygiene as volunteer chair of power tool safety standards committee with technical outreach for physical safety hazards, ergonomics, vibration, noise, and dust control. The prior thirty-five years included management and field positions supporting environmental, occupational health, and safety programs in diverse industrial, laboratory and headquarters positions, mostly for DOD organizations. Mark supported the evaluation of occupational safety and health factors in major military weapons systems acquisition (aircraft, vessels, and equipment). Post-graduate education includes an M.S. Environmental Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, 1981 (Industrial Hygiene and Safety Management) and M.S.E. Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering Department, Catholic University, Washington, D.C. (May 1998). Other activities include artwork, reading, and volunteer work for social causes. 

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.

Director at Large, Sharmila Pradhan

Sharmila Pradhan, MS, CIH, CHMM, CSP, has over 25 years of experience in occupational and environmental compliance program management across higher education and federal sectors. Her expertise includes laboratory safety, hazardous materials management, asbestos, air emissions, NPDES permits, water quality, indoor air quality, underground storage tanks, and industrial hygiene. She has developed and delivered training on HAZWOPER, RCRA, regulated waste management, spill response, laboratory safety, and pollution prevention.

Sharmila currently serves as an Associate Adjunct Professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus. She is also an active member of the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP) and contributed to the Campus Safety Health & Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA).

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Director at Large, Daniel Chee

Director at Large, Christine Apio