The Institute of Hazardous Materials Management recently honored Interior’s Dr. James Ortiz by electing him as a fellow of the institute.  Ortiz, a senior environmental-protection specialist with the Secretary’s Office of Compliance, received the fellowship for his significant contributions to hazardous-materials management and occupational safety and health.  The institute oversees the credentialing of certified hazardous-materials managers who meet the exacting standards for certification in hazardous-materials management. Its certification program is accredited by the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards

“I am deeply honored to be admitted as a fellow to the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, whose high technical requirements and code of ethics are in the best interest of protecting public health, safety, and the environment,” Ortiz said.

Since 1991 Ortiz has worked on numerous environmental issues at the Interior Department. These issues range from environmental auditing, environmental requirements for real-property acquisition and disposal, and environmental-management systems to military munitions and unexploded ordnance. During his 30-year federal career, Ortiz has received numerous awards for his accomplishments, including the department’s Meritorious Service Award. He currently serves as the department’s principal representative to the Executive Order 13423 Interagency Environmental Leadership Workgroup. He also serves as a technical consultant to the Department of the Interior University.  Prior to 1991, Ortiz worked on environmental, occupational-health, and occupational-safety programs for the Department of Defense, Department of Labor, General Services Administration, and Veterans Administration. Before working for the federal government, he worked in both the nonprofit and private sectors.

In electing Ortiz as a fellow, the institute’s board of directors noted his many years of professional expertise, his mentoring and training skills, and his unique ability to bring people with diverse backgrounds and opinions together to achieve consensus on issues. While more than 13,000 professionals have earned the CHMM credential, currently there are only 50 fellows.  

Ortiz received a Ph.D. and a post-master’s certificate of advanced graduate studies from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Va.  He also received an master’s degree in public administration from The American University in Washington, D.C., and, a bachelor-of-science degree from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J. Ortiz is also a Harvard University senior executive fellow and a graduate of the department’s Senior Executive Candidate Development Program. His professional credentials include certified hazardous materials manager; registered environmental manager; certified environmental auditor; certified hazard control manager; registered hazardous and chemicals materials manager; state of California registered environmental assessor; registrar accreditation board environmental auditor; and certified environmental systems manager. He is a member of several professional associations and societies including the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers; the American Society for Testing Materials; American Association of University Professors; and Phi Delta Kappa (an educational professional society).