May 21, 2015
Ms. Tara Pfaff, Administrative Assistant
Admin & Finance Vice President
105 Anderson Hall
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
RE: Director, Environmental Health and Safety
Dear Ms. Pfaff:
I am writing to express my interest in the Director of Environmental Health and Safety position
advertised on the Kansas State University web page. Having just completed my 24th year
providing health and safety services to an academic community, the position description closely
fits my experience and qualifications. As Associate Director of Environmental Health and
Safety (EH&S) at Iowa State University, my career has developed to include myriad aspects of
health and safety disciplines including facility design, compliance initiatives and management of
hazardous and radioactive wastes. Recent experiences have allowed me to explore Enterprise
Risk Management (ERM), risk assessment and related topics that have proved to be invaluable
tools in an academic setting.
In addition to my desire to lead a university Environmental Health and Safety department, you
will find I am a dedicated and driven professional whose accomplishments include:





Chairing the Government Relations Committee within the Campus Safety Health
and Environmental Management Association (CSHEMA), writing comments on
significant regulatory proposals that potentially impact institutions of higher learning.
Professional and public speaking about safety and risk, promoting a culture of safety
on campus, in the community and at peer institutions.
Hosting the 20th Annual College and University Hazardous Waste Conference,
providing peer institutions an opportunity to network and identify best management
practices in hazardous waste management.
Obtaining a $70,000 grant from the Ministry of Health, Commonwealth of the
Bahamas, providing Iowa State University an opportunity to teach health and safety to
Bahamian government employees in a diverse environment.
A superior record of regulatory performance, without a single monetary enforcement
action during my tenure at Iowa State University.
May 21, 2015
Re: Director, Environmental Health and Safety
Page 2
I am certain Kansas State University is aware that tragic accidents have plagued academic
institutions across the country. Each year more than 2,000 college students die on or near the
college campus they attend. The loss of life, property and reputation are just some of the
devastating consequences peer institutions face in the wake of incidents that were completely
preventable. It is my desire to lead a campus commitment to systematically identify and
eliminate hazards and promote the kind of safety culture higher learning deserves. I am excited
about the possibility of being a leader within this outstanding institution and would be able to
translate my enthusiasm into tangible benefits for the entire campus community. If you agree
that my qualifications are a close fit to your needs, I would be delighted to meet with you
personally to discuss strategies for ensuring the protection of human health and the environment
at Kansas State University. You may reach me at
or via email at
. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
William M. Diesslin, ARM, CHMM, CSP
William M. Diesslin
SUMMARY:
A proven leader with twenty-four years of environmental, health, and safety experience in higher learning. Adept in
many subject areas, such as policy and procedure development, waste management, compliance auditing, and
employee training. Extensive training, including an advanced degree and many professional certifications. Team
oriented leader with exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS:












Staff management
Budgeting and budget planning
Project management
Regulatory Negotiations
Contractor/Vendor Qualifications
Bid Specifications
General Safety and Industrial Hygiene
Recycling Program Development/Waste Minimization
Soil and Groundwater Investigation/ Remedial Design
Air, Water, and Hazardous Waste Compliance Management
Fire and Facility Safety
Worker Safety Assessments
PRESENT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY - Department of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S), Ames, Iowa
Associate Director (2012 to present)
Interim Director, ExPERT program (2011 to 2012)
Assistant Director (2002 to 2011)
Environmental Programs Manager (1999 to 2002)
Environmental Engineer (1998 to 1999)
Hazardous Materials Specialist III (1993 to 1998)
Hazardous Materials Specialist I (1992 to 1993)
Hazardous Materials Assistant (1991 to 1992)
Management of EPA permitted treatment, storage, and disposal facility (final permit); incinerator (final permit); and
two waste pesticide treatment facilities (EPA closure). Management of environmental programs including PCBs,
underground storage tanks, wastewater pre-treatment, stormwater, special wastes, and air emissions. Manager of
Environmental Programs, General Safety, Fire Safety and Industrial Hygiene Services.












Development of policies and policy manuals.
Management of professional, merit, and student staff members.
Recruitment of new staff members and professional development.
Staff performance evaluation and conflict resolution.
Leadership in Total Quality Management (TQM) - trainer, facilitator.
Training of University faculty, staff, and students.
Management of EPA RCRA permits - applications, modifications, and closure.
Provision of internal audits for environmental compliance.
Compliance in accordance with CAA, CERCLA, CWA, DOT, FIFRA, OSHA, RCRA, TSCA.
Contact with federal, state, and local regulators.
Key member of the design team for a new regulated materials building.
Characterization and remediation of three chemical and radioactive disposal sites.
William M. Diesslin
Page -2PRESENT PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: (continued)
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT - Private Practice, Ames, Iowa
Provider of environmental consulting services to business, industry, and government since 1991. Investigate past
property use and review EPA databases for record of on-site use of hazardous materials. Prepare reports to satisfy
purchase agreements and loan approvals. Prepare and deliver state-approved incinerator operator training.




Environmental audits.
Phase I Site Assessments.
Report Preparation.
CERCLA, OSHA, RCRA and TSCA training.
PAST PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
PATZIG TESTING LABORATORIES - Des Moines, IA
Environmental Specialist (1989 to 1991)









Cost estimates and proposal submittal.
Regulatory negotiation.
UST removals, investigations, and remediations.
Phase I and II Site Assessments.
EPA closure projects.
Sick building and asbestos surveys.
Regulatory compliance including RCRA, CERCLA, OSHA, and state regulations.
Report Preparation.
Internal and external environmental auditing.
TWIN CITY TESTING CORPORATION - St. Paul, MN
Environmental Technician (1988 to 1989)




Asbestos Surveys.
Asbestos air sampling and analysis.
Asbestos abatement project supervision.
Report Preparation.
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND:


MS (1997), Environmental Engineering (Civil), Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.
BS (1988), Life Sciences, Winona State University, Winona, Minnesota.
William M. Diesslin
Page -3PROFESSIONAL CONTINUING EDUCATION:
Risk Management:






ARM 56 Risk Financing - online course, April 2012
ARM 55 Risk Control - online course, January 2012
ARM 54 Risk Assessment - online course, August 2011
Ethic 311 Ethical Guidelines for Insurance Professionals - online course, January 2012
Risk Management for the H&S Professional - Des, Moines, IA, April 8, 2008
Risk Management Programs - Ames, IA, January, 1998
Emergency Management:









ICS 400 Advanced - Des Moines, IA, February 23 & 24, 2012
ICS 300 Intermediate - Des Moines, IA, February 21 & 22, 2012
ICS 200 Initial Action Incident - online course, May 19, 2011
ICS 100 Intro to Incident Command - online course, March 15, 2006
ICS 700 National Incident Management System - online course, March 15, 2006
ICS100.HE Incident Command for Higher Education - online course, December 5, 2011
FEMA L363 Multi-Hazard Planning for Higher Education - Ames, IA, December 6-8, 2011
Hazard Mitigation Planning - Des Moines, IA, December 1, 2005
Collapsed Structure Search & Technical Rescue - Ames, IA, June, 2001
Employee Supervision:





Improving Supervisory Skills - Ames, IA, April, 1993
Facilitative Leadership - Ames, IA, December, 1993
Basic Supervision - Des Moines, IA, January, 1998
Criticism and Discipline Skills for Managers - Des Moines, IA, January 28, 2005
Performance Management – Ames, IA, January 24, 2012
Environmental Health & Safety:













Nanotechnology: Overview and Relevance to Occupational Health – AIHA, September 21, 2005
Waste Management for Colleges and Universities – Manhattan, KS, June 7, 2005
Cooperative Agreement Assignment, USEPA – Washington D.C. October, 2003, thru September, 2004
Host of the 20th Annual College and University Hazardous Waste Conference – Ames, IA, August, 2002
Environmental Modeling – Ames, IA, January, 1999
Clean Air Compliance Institute - Washington D.C., March, 1998
Risk Based Corrective Actions (RBCA) - Des Moines, IA, March, 1997
Unknown Chemical Identification - San Francisco, CA, June, 1995
RCRA Hazardous Waste Regulations - Denver, CO, May, 1994
Solid Waste Incinerator Operations - Albuquerque, NM, May, 1992
Groundwater Monitoring and Sampling - Worcester, MA, May, 1991
40 Hour OSHA Training - Des Moines, IA, February, 1990
8 Hour OSHA Training Refresher - Ames, IA, May, Annually
William M. Diesslin
Page -4PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS:







Associate in Risk Management (ARM), The Institutes, September 2012
Certified Groundwater Professional. State of Iowa, Certificate #1612 (2001 – 2003)
Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), Certificate #6164
Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certificate #17660
Registered Environmental Manager (REM), Certificate #10774 (2000 – 2002)
Certified Water Well Contractor. State of Iowa, Certificate #40147 (1993 – 2003)
Certified Solid Waste Incinerator Operator. State of Iowa, Certificate #35213. (1993 –1998)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS:






Iowa Groundwater Association (board member 1999 to 2001)
Air and Waste Management Association (board member 2001 to 2003)
Campus Safety Health and Environmental Management Association (Gov. Rel. Committee 2000 to 2012)
American Society of Safety Engineers
Iowa Association of Business and Industry
Iowa Schools for Environmental Responsibility
TRAINING, PUBLICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS:










How to Survive College
“Safety for Sale” – Promoting safety in a risk taking world
Energy Conservation in Academic Laboratories
Institutional Strengthening Project – Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Train the Trainer – Weapons of Mass Destruction Seminar
Hazardous Waste Training for Colleges and Universities
OSHA HAZWOPER 8-Hour Refresher Course
Application of Total Quality Management in a Hazardous Waste Program
Risk Management Planning
Incinerator Operations and Management
William M. Diesslin
Page -5REFERENCES:
NAME/TITLE
CONTACT INFORMATION
Mr. Paul Richmond
Director
Environmental Health & Safety
Iowa State University
Mr. Ken Kern
Assistant Vice President
University Health & Safety
University of Minnesota
Ms. Madelyn Miller
Director
Environmental Health & Safety
Carnegie Mellon University