Washington D.C., February 21, 2018 - The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board today announced the appointment of Stephen J. Klejst as the new Executive Director for the agency. Mr. Klejst will lead the agency’s investigations and recommendations staff.
Mr. Klejst comes to the CSB after nearly ten years with the National Transportation Safety Board where he was deputy managing director and director of the agency’s railroad, pipeline and hazardous materials division. During his tenure with the NTSB, Mr. Klejst led the agency’s investigation of major pipeline accidents including the explosion of a major natural gas line in San Bruno, CA and the rupture of a hazardous liquid transmission line in Marshall, MI. Prior to joining the NTSB, Mr. Klejst had a distinguished executive career in the passenger railroad industry. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in chemistry and holds a master of science in management for the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.
“We are excited to have Steve joining the leadership team of the agency,” said Chairperson Vanessa Allen Sutherland. “Steve’s investigative experience, together with his leadership experience in both the government and private sector, will be a tremendous asset to leading our investigations and recommendations division.”
The CSB is an independent, non-regulatory federal agency whose mission is to drive chemical safety change through independent investigations to protect people and the environment. The agency’s board members are appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. CSB investigations look into all aspects of chemical incidents, including physical causes such as equipment failure as well as inadequacies in regulations, industry standards, and safety management systems.