Michael started gaining his in-depth experience and knowledge of hazardous materials during summer breaks from high school by packaging and shipping chemicals and other goods in his family's packaging and crating business located in Philadelphia. After graduation, Michael enlisted in the US Navy as a professional welder, firefighter and emergency responder. Twice deployed to the Persian Gulf region in support of Operation Southern Watch, he spent most of his time searching vessels suspected of violating UN embargoes. After 8 years of service, Michael was honorably discharged with a Navy Achievement Medal.
In 1998, Michael joined DG Supplies and served in all capacities of the company while finishing the college degree program he started while in the service. Michael studied at a number of Dangerous Goods training schools to learn every aspect of the Dangerous Goods industry. He took over as General Manager in 2000 and substantially grew the product line, doubling sales from the previous two years of business. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and began Dangerous Goods training, spending many long hours training and assisting companies with their UN Packaging needs.
Michael became the resident regulatory expert for all matters relating to Dangerous Goods for the company. He was promoted to president of both DG Supplies and Bureau of Dangerous Goods (headquartered in Cranbury, New Jersey) in 2006 and serves there to this day. He actively trains companies in the laws governing the transportation of Dangerous Goods for ground (49 CFR), air (IATA) and vessel (IMDG), is instrumental in authoring and developing the content in the Bureau's Hazmat University, as well as keeping the packaging business steaming ahead, and further developed training operations for DG Supplies' sister company, Bureau of Dangerous Goods.
In 2013 Michael recertified his Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) credentials and graduated with distinction at IATA's Professional Skills for DGR Instructors Course. Professionally, he sits on the Board of Directors for the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council (DGAC) and is actively involved with the following professional industry organizations: International Air Transport (IATA), Council on the Safe Transport of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA), and Dangerous Goods Trainers Association (DGTA). He frequently contributes to company and industry news articles as they relate to changes in the Dangerous Goods industry.
The Bureau of Dangerous Goods is thrilled to introduce Mrs. Sonia Irusta, who assumed the role of Vice President on January 3, 2016.
Sonia brings over 30 years of expertise in the hazardous materials industry, making her an exceptional trainer and consultant across a broad spectrum of hazardous materials transportation and compliance matters. Throughout her career, she has actively contributed to the development and implementation of extensive training programs and software solutions related to the safe and legal transportation of hazardous materials. Sonia’s proficiency extends to both domestic and international transportation solutions for shippers, freight forwarders, and carriers.
In addition to her technical acumen, Sonia possesses strong leadership skills, strategic planning abilities, and outstanding interpersonal and analytical capabilities. Her positive impact on our organization and the industry at large is undeniable.
As Vice President, Sonia spearheads BDG’s growth initiatives and drives the development of innovative products. Simultaneously, she remains committed to delivering high-quality training to professionals worldwide.
Sonia’s strategic vision and valuable contributions continue to transform challenges into opportunities, further enhancing our mission related to hazardous materials shipments.
After graduating from Green Mountain College in 1980, John began a career in distribution and logistics management in the retail and medical supply fields. In 2001, John accepted a management position at a chemical manufacturer and distributor based in Central NJ and began his journey to becoming a hazmat professional by learning the ropes, so to speak, from the ground up. It was here that John learned the basic principles of classification, identification, packaging and communication by preparing a wide variety of Dangerous Goods for transport via ground, air and sea transport.
In 2003, John was given the opportunity to take that knowledge and experience to DG Supplies Inc., a provider of Dangerous Goods packaging supplies and their sister company, The Bureau of Dangerous Goods, a provider of training, software and consulting on the transport of Dangerous Goods. Eventually, John gravitated from the supply side of DGS into the training side of BDG, becoming an instructor in 2008. John specializes in training shippers, managers, forwarders, consolidators and airline acceptance staff in the laws governing the transportation of Dangerous Goods for ground (49 CFR), air (IATA) and vessel (IMDG) and is responsible for the authoring, revising and updating of all classroom course materials.
In 2013, John became an IATA accredited instructor graduating with distinction at IATA's Professional Skills for DGR Instructors Course. In addition to general hazardous materials courses, John also conducts specialized seminars on the shipment of lithium batteries as well as infectious substances as regulated by DOT, IATA and IMDG.
Throughout her more than 30 years of worldwide operations, training and management experience with the air transport industry, Sandra has dedicated her efforts toward maintaining safety, compliance and operational efficiency.
Her commitment to quality training began in Inflight Services, developing and conducting Flight Attendant training for aircraft lease customers throughout the world and directing Inflight service and training departments. Deciding to diversify her industry knowledge, Sandra moved into Ground and Cargo Operations management, where she developed her passion for advancing a more comprehensive and practical approach to Dangerous Goods operations and training. Her focus has been dedicated to that area ever since.
As an aviation industry consultant, Sandra assisted many air operators with developing and refining their Dangerous Goods policies, procedures and training, bringing a hands-on and pragmatic approach that has evolved from her experience with the responsibilities of both Shippers and Operators. She has resided and worked on several continents, where she had the good fortune to gain the global perspective that she brings to her work. Her ideal is that every Dangerous Goods employee not only be provided with the knowledge and confidence to perform their job function properly, but for them to also enjoy the pride of knowing that they are valuable contributors to the safety of the exciting and always-evolving transportation industry.
Tracie has more than 20 years of experience in the dangerous goods transportation industry with emphasis in compliance programs and regulatory analysis.
Her extensive background includes development and delivery of dangerous goods training programs for all modes including; 49 CFR ground transport in the US, International Air Transport (ICAO/IATA), International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, and the safe and compliant transport of lithium batteries. Tracie also managed third party packaging company responsible for international shipments of dangerous goods as well as corrective actions.
Much of Tracie’s career includes developing compliance products for the dangerous goods transportation industry. These products include computer-based training, packaging, label, placards, and publications. She also managed the testing program for off the shelf performance packaging line. Tracie developed and executed an environmental health and safety program for major printing company. She currently develops compliance programs for clients and provides audit services.
Tracie served as chair of the Packaging Roundtable for the Council of Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA). She also served chair of the Regulatory Affairs Committee and on the executive committee for the Chemical Packaging Committee (CPC) of the International Organization of Packaging Professionals (IoPP).
Previously, Tracie served as Senior Manager for Labelmaster Services and General Manager for DGM Chicago. Tracie earned her certification as a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor. She earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Illinois and her M.B.A. from the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.
Paula Reavis is an experienced hazardous materials and dangerous goods transport trainer. Driven by the belief that compliance is key, she takes pride in providing the best transport courses possible. As a Hazmat/DG professional, her goals include helping companies maintain compliance through the entire shipping process and providing any necessary consulting services needed. After 11 years in the business, she is well versed in the 49CFR Parts 100-185, IATA, and IMDG transport regulations and has more than a passing familiarity with OSHA HazCom2012 and WHMIS2015.
In another life, Paula was in the public school system as a high school science teacher and Nationally Board Certified Counselor (NBCC) counselor. Her bachelor’s degrees are in Secondary Science Education and Chemistry from North Carolina State University and a master’s degree in counseling from East Carolina University. She lives in the St. Louis, Missouri area with her husband Drew.
Barbara recently retired with over 30 years of experience in the chemical and flavor and fragrance industries. As an expert in Dangerous Goods for the Americas and the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) she has worked tirelessly to improve the safe transport and handling of hazardous materials. Additionally, she has been a subject matter expert, globally, monitoring national and international regulations on drug and explosive precursors.
From 2014 – 2020 Barbara represented the Dangerous Goods Advisory Council (DGAC) and then Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute (SAAMI) as a delegate to both the UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (TDG) and the Subcommittee of Experts on the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) since 2015. She was a valued asset in the GHS Working Groups on Combustible Dust Guidance and Labelling of small packages.
Barbara is past Chairman of the Board and member of the Board of Directors of Dangerous Goods Advisory Council and a member of the Board of Directors for the Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles, Inc. (COSTHA)
She earned her certification as a Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (DGSA) from the EU granted by the Scottish Qualifications Authority. She received her B.A in English and B.S. in Industrial Engineering from The Ohio State University and her Master of Science from the University of Cincinnati.