About Us
Membership Information
Persons involved or interested in the Safety Profession are encouraged to join the American Society of Safety Engineers. After joining the National ASSE, you have the option of which chapter you want to join. Please indicate that you prefer to join the National Capital Chapter!
Chapter Bylaws
The Society
The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) was founded October 14, 1911, in New York City, with 62 members. Originally named the United Society of Casualty Inspectors, its philosophy was to promote harmonious action in safety work and educate members in all matters relating to industrial safety and accident prevention. Throughout its growth, this non-profit organization has dedicated itself to advancing the safety profession and enhancing the knowledge and capabilities of safety practitioners. The American Society of Safety Engineers is the oldest professional safety organization in the United States. ASSE has 148 chapters, 55 sections and 54 student sections within 8 regions nationwide and 32,600 members. Chapters offer localized membership services, networking and professional development opportunities through seminars, conferences, meetings, and newsletters.
Through its twelve practice specialties, ASSE offers professional development opportunities and technical assistance is various career paths. These divisions are: Construction, Consultants, Engineering, Environmental, Healthcare, Industrial Hygiene, Management, Mining, Public Sector, Risk Management/Insurance, Transportation, and International.
ASSE is a global association providing the professional development and representation for those engaged in the practice of safety, health and the environment and providing services to the private and public sectors to protect people, property and the environment.
National Capital Chapter History
Chartered July 12, 1948
The Chapter was originally Organized as "The Washington Safety Society", an independent society of safety engineers founded on April 13, 1938, in the District of Columbia. The new society officially adopted it's first Constitution, By-laws, and name on May 4, 1938; there were 24 charter members.
Affiliation with the National ASSE was decided, by referendum vote announced at the (Washington) Society's annual meeting on June 15, 1948. The Washington Safety Society was voted chapter status by the ASSE National Executive Committee on July 12, 1948, making the Washington Chapter the 38th Chapter of the National ASSE.
On July 23, 1962, the name of the organization was officially changed to National Capital Chapter, American Society of Safety Engineers.
The new millennium saw a growing metropolitan area and increasing traffic congestion, and the Chapter became “geographically challenged” as members found it harder and harder to travel to meetings and events.
In an effort to better serve the ASSE members of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, the Chapter formed the Northern Virginia (NOVA) Section in 2005. At great sacrifice to the Chapter but keeping the member’s needs in the forefront, the Chapter split and the NOVA Section became the NOVA Chapter in 2006.
The National Capital Chapter is located in Region VI and now serves members in an area that includes Washington D.C. and the Maryland Counties of Montgomery, Prince George's, Calvert, Charles, and St Mary's; and any others that may be formed within the geographical area encompassed by the above named counties.
Past Presidents
| Bruce Donato | 2007-08 | Marie V. Smithson | 1977-78 |
| Mary Winkler | 2006-07 | Franklin C. Haering | 1976-77 |
| Mike McCullion | 2005-06 | Rudolf N. Butzke | 1975-76 |
| Amit Reizes | 2004-05 | John M. Kanak | 1974-75 |
| Amy Wangdahl | 2003-04 | Charles T. Greene | 1973-74 |
| Vince Miller | 2002-03 | George C. Brown, Sr. | 1972-73 |
| Mike Owens | 2001-02 | Janet H. Sprickman | 1971-72 |
| Matthew Amann | 2000-01 | Thomas H. Wilkenson | 1970-71 |
| Roy Rhodes | 1999-00 | Eugene L. Newman | 1969-70 |
| Reginald Jenkins | 1998-99 | John A. Shatswell | 1968-69 |
| Melonie Scofield | 1997-98 | Donald E. Ryan | 1967-68 |
| Gary Staffo, Jr. | 1996-97 | Richard O. Bennett | 1966-67 |
| Everett Lallis, Jr. | 1995-96 | Earl J. Krotzer | 1965-66 |
| Abdon D. Ackad, Jr. | 1994-95 | Richard L. Hollis | 1964-65 |
| Gerald C. Hinson | 1993-94 | David F. Abernethy | 1963-64 |
| Richard W. Stickle | 1992-93 | Homer F. Clad | 1962-63 |
| David Law | 1991-92 | Shell E. Martin | 1961-62 |
| James Johnson | 1990-91 | John P. Watson | 1960-61 |
| Ronald Miller | 1989-90 | Nathan G. Baker | 1959-60 |
| Timothy Palmer | 1988-89 | Mauricio Markmann | 1958-59 |
| Wayne Fuller | 1987-88 | George D. McCauley | 1957-58 |
| Helen Schreck | 1986-87 | John R. Moore | 1956-57 |
| Anthony D. Brown | 1985-86 | William S. MacLead | 1955-56 |
| Milton Van Slyke | 1984-85 | James H. Kennedy | 1954-55 |
| Joseph H. Nugent | 1983-84 | Eugene P. Ernest | 1953-54 |
| E. Joseph Bocci | 1982-83 | Odell D. Maxwell | 1952-53 |
| Rodney M. Manifold | 1981-82 | Alfred R. Hines | 1951-52 |
| Ernest B. Jorgensen | 1980-81 | Robert L. Jenkins | 1950-51 |
| William T. Fine | 1979-80 | John J. V. Forbes | 1949-50 |
| Kenneth L. Pierson | 1978-79 | Raymond C. Roberts | 1948-49 |
