September 7, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality Education and Outreach Unit is the recipient of the 2005 National Sponsor Appreciation Award from the Academy of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers. ACHMM is made up of 66 Chapters and over 6,000 members, who work in a variety of fields dealing with hazardous materials and environmental health and safety issues. The mission of ACHMM is to promote the environmental health and safety profession, offer professional development and networking opportunities, and to provide value to the membership.

James Harless, Secretary of Certified Hazardous Materials Managers – Michigan Chapter, stated, “We nominated the DEQ in recognition of the fantastic relationship we have enjoyed over the past few years, the support we've received, and the visibility we've enjoyed.”

The Sponsor Appreciation Award may be given to a private corporation, public agency, non-profit organization, and/or educational institution to recognize outstanding support by an outside entity in advancing the objectives of the Academy. This may include one or more of the following:

• Public acknowledgment and promotion of CHMM credential;

• Significant financial support or contribution of services for Academy
  activities based on company size and/or number of individuals or
  events supported;

• Sponsorship of events and activities that enhance the CHMM
  credential; or

• Support the activities of local chapter or national organization.

DEQ’s Environmental Science and Services Division has partnered with CHMM’s Michigan Chapter on several projects for many years, with both organizations continually seeking news ways to strengthen the partnership through information sharing, cross promotion of programs and events, presentations, and other avenues of education and outreach. This partnership has allowed for a low-cost and more inclusive approach to improving compliance rates and an opportunity to gain greater attendance at both organizations’ events.

The award will be presented at the ACHMM Annual Conference to be held in St. Louis on September 26 - 28.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised September 7, 2005 by Pat Watson