Today we welcome to campus Chris Nickell as Drake’s director, environmental health and safety (EHS). Chris has more than 15 years’ experience in the field of emergency planning and environmental health and safety. He is certified Hazardous Material Manager, Safety Professional, and Red Cross Instructor for First Aid, CPR, AED, and Blood Borne Pathogens. Chris is well versed in all aspects of emergency planning and response, with numerous Homeland Security certifications.

Chris, along with Environmental Specialist Josh Haines, will continue the work of EHS at Drake through collaborative partnerships with faculty and staff.

Chris comes to us from the Mittera Group where he served as the environmental health and safety manager. In this position he developed and implemented EHS programs for 10 locations and 750 employees. Prior to that engagement, Chris worked as an environmental safety and health technician for Monsanto at the Ankeny and Huxley sites, which facilitated a full wet chemistry and genetics lab. Chris also has 12 years of experience with the Iowa Air National Guard, where his duties included developing and implementing installation of all hazardous emergency plans and readiness exercises for his unit.

The Environmental Health and Safety Office will be located at 1418 27th St., next to Facility Services. Please feel free to stop by in the coming weeks and welcome Chris to Drake.

—Submitted by Venessa Macro, Chief Administration Officer, Title IX Coordinator