The dangerous goods (DG) industry requires dedication. This is not an industry that can be learned in a year or even several.
We need leaders who show a deep commitment to safety and compliance – and who can mobilize others across regulatory, industry and business groups. Those who excel understand a wide range of interconnected areas, including the supply chain, logistics, regulatory bodies, chemistry, technology, manufacturing, among others.
During this year’s Dangerous Goods Symposium, we recognized several key individuals who have made a lasting impact on the broader DG industry by inducting them into the Dangerous Goods Hall of Fame.
What Qualities Do Our 2024 Honorees Have in Common?
Forward-thinking leadership in the DG industry embodies several key attributes. Our prestigious 2024 Hall of Fame class excel in the following areas:
- Partnering Across Industries and Regulatory Bodies: Successfully working with and navigating regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders alike is no easy task. They understand the unique—and often conflicting—needs of each group and are skilled at finding “win-win” solutions.
- Educating, Informing and Growing the DG Industry: Beyond their own individual roles and organizations, they actively seek to educate and inspire others. Whether participating on industry boards or encouraging new talent to get involved in the industry, they demonstrate a commitment to improving the whole DG landscape and inspiring their peers.
- Innovating to Solve New DG Problems: Using their technical expertise and data-driven insights, they are a true problem solver. They find practical solutions that enhance safety for everyone and move the industry forward with their out-of-the-box thinking.
Meet This Year’s 2024 Dangerous Goods Hall of Fame Class
Katherine Rooney: Katherine has been a key figure in the DG industry since 1993. Notably, she oversaw the ICAO’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air and other related documents. Serving as the chief of ICAO’s Cargo Safety Section since 2012, she has contributed to international safety standards and represented ICAO at key organizations, including the UN, IAEA, WHO and UPU. Before joining ICAO, Katherine worked as a dangerous goods systems analyst for SITA and as an editor for EXIS.
Kristel Vermeersch: Kristel founded KVS & Partners Dangerous Goods Consulting in Belgium in 2002. From 2002 to 2012, she served as an external dangerous goods expert for the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority and a member of the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel. She currently advises the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel and the UN Sub-Committee on the Transport of Dangerous Goods. Before starting her consultancy, Kristel worked for 15 years at Sabena Cargo Airlines in Belgium and was a member of the IATA Dangerous Goods Board.
Geoff Leach: Geoff joined the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) Dangerous Goods Office in 1990 as a Dangerous Goods Inspector and became Deputy Head in 1993. He took on the role of Head of the Office in 2002 and was elected Chairman of the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) in 2007. In 2014, Geoff left the CAA to establish The Dangerous Goods Office Ltd., offering training and consultancy worldwide. Geoff is also a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA) and was honored with the George L. Wilson Award for his lifetime contribution to the dangerous goods industry in 2016.
Dwight Curtis: Dwight served as President of Labelmaster for 23 years, a key part of helping the company became a global leader in the DG industry while collaborating with the U.S. Department of Transportation and various UN agencies. Dwight has been instrumental in transforming Labelmaster from a distributor of dangerous goods shipping products to a holistic provider of global consulting, software solutions and systems for shipping dangerous goods across all transportation modes.
