Celebrating 40 Years with IHMM

Celebrating 40 Years of Protecting the Earth

Thank You to All Who Attended IHMM’s 40th Anniversary Celebration on December 3, 2024!

On December 3, 2024, IHMM hosted our 40th Anniversary Reception & Celebration in Rockville, MD, where we shared our history and recognized those who have contributed to the Institute’s advancement.

The program included opening remarks from the Institute’s Leadership, including esteemed guests Craig Saperstein, Partner at Pillsbury Law; Mary Kate Cunningham, CAE, Senior Vice President for Public Policy at ASAE; an awards ceremony; and more.

To all of the volunteers, committee members, mentors, and certificants, we are forever grateful for your contribution to the industry. We look forward to the next 40 years!

View pictures from the celebration below:
40 Years Strong

Our History

For 40 years, the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) has been protecting the environment and the public’s health, safety, and security through the creation of credentials that recognize professionals who have demonstrated a high level of knowledge, expertise, and excellence in the management of hazardous materials, dangerous goods transportation, environmental protection, health, and safety.

Our mission is to set standards of excellence for professional credentials to advance the global environmental, health, and safety communities of practice. Over 18,000 homeland security, environmental protection, engineering, health sciences, transportation, and public safety professionals have earned IHMM’s accredited Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM®), but our footprint doesn’t end here.

More professionals continue to seek us out for our Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP®), Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP®), Certified Dangerous Goods Trainer (CDGT®), Associate Hazardous Materials Manager (AHMM™), Certified Safety and Health Manager (CSHM™), Certified Safety Management Practitioner (CSMP™), Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM™), and Certified School Safety Manager (CSSM™) credentials. In addition, we offer the Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist (CPPS™) microcredential.

IHMM is also committed to the development of students through our Student Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (ST/CHMM™) and Student Associate Safety and Health Manager (ST/ASHM™) credentials.

hazmat collage

Get Involved

Share Your Story

How has your IHMM certification enhanced your career and made a difference?

Consider submitting a short written or video testimonial and be featured on this page and in IHMM marketing materials. Your story can help others grow in their professional pursuits.

Submit Your Testimonial

Show Your Support

We are 40 years strong because of you.

IHMM couldn’t do what we do without the support of our industry partners, volunteers, and certificants who share the same passion for protecting our one earth. Your donation supports education, training, and student scholarships.

Make a Donation

A Special Thank You to Our 40-Year Certificants

Bryant Slimp

“I have made many friends throughout the chemical industry, regulatory community, and CHMM membership.”

B. Bryant Slimp, Jr., CHMM, Encino Chemical Company
Paul Errico

“I became involved in the industry because I was fascinated with chemistry and how materials acted or reacted…

When IHMM came into existence in 1984 I jumped at the opportunity to share my expertise and experience and keep abreast of upcoming technologies.”

Paul L. Errico, CHMM, Paul L. Errico Associates

“I got into this area right out of college with my BS degree. I became interested in safety and environmental work given the focus on a new OSHA and EPA legislation, clean-ups (one in my own back yard-Love Canal) and the opportunities it all presented.”

John P. Coniglio, CHMM, OSEA, Inc.

“It is my honor to be listed with the best environmental professional associations in the world. ”

John F. Podojil, CHMM, Podojil & Associates, Inc

“I became involved in the industry as I realized I could apply my engineering background to address the diverse technical and scientific problem-solving challenges that are involved with the EH&S profession.”

Ronald D. Schaible, CHMM, Robson Forensic, Inc.

 

Fred Ellerbusch, PhD, MPH, MSc, PE, DEE, CHMM, SYSTEMSTHINK LLC

 

Michael H. Ziskin, CHMM, Field Safety Corporation

IHMM Certificants are professionals in the top 1% of their communities of practice.

40 Years of Protecting the Earth
Timeline and Milestones

1983

  • John Frick approached Hal Gordon about the need for specialty certification in hazardous materials. Hal Gordon agrees to sponsor development of a new certification under the Board of Hazard Control Management (BHCM). BHCM member support is solicited and an Advisory Board is established.
  • Areas of coverage are developed (hazardous materials and management) by John Frick. Later it becomes the first Blueprint.

  • First CHMM exam developed and first HM exam is administered to 110 new candidates at HazTech 1984 in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Master Plan for the Academy is developed by Jack McCambridge. Special Advisory Board selects chairs for the BOE, new chapter development, and Annual Meeting planning.
  • First university testing centers established.
  • Articles of Incorporation signed by Gordon, McCambridge, Young, and Frick. Bylaws are adopted and incorporation certificate issued to IHMM by DC.

  • First meeting of the BOE. Eligibility requirements are established for Master, Senior, and Associate levels.
  • First meeting of the National Capital Chapter and first Annual Meeting of the Academy at HazPro 1985, Baltimore, MD.
  • First IHMM pamphlet published with CHMM objectives. The IHMM logo is first used.

  • Second Annual Meeting of the Academy, HazPro 1986, Baltimore, MD – Dick Young becomes 2nd President.
  • Training Workbook is initiated by Tom Carson.
  • Third Annual Meeting of the Academy in Chattanooga.
  • Fourth Annual Meeting in Chicago (First stand-alone National Meeting); Pete Cook becomes President.
  • IHMM establishes the first Code of Ethics.
  • Jack McCambridge is elected first Chairman of the IHMM Board of Directors.
  • John Frick appointed as first liaison to BOE.

  • IHMM chartered the Commission on the CHMM exam. John Frick chaired and delivered the report.
  • IHMM board adds two new directors – Pete Cook and Ken Manchen.
  • Academy constitution is approved at Annual Meeting in Indianapolis.
  • Academy National Recertification Board (ANRB) is established by Smiley McMillan.
  • IHMM office relocated from 5010 Nicholson Lane to 11900 Parklawn Drive, Rockville, MD.
  • CHMMs = over 2500; Chapters = 30

  • John Frick becomes 2nd IHMM Board Chair.
  • IHMM Executive Office develops written policies and procedures.
  • Relative roles between IHMM and ACHMM are accepted.
  • Recertification function is transferred to the Institute to qualify under CESB guidelines.
  • CHMM = 5000

  • CESB accredits the CHMM Certification program.
  • IHMM & ACHMM agree to separate.
  • IHMM establishes Student Competition Awards program.
  • HM-MIT replaces the Associate level.
  • “Fellows of the Institute” program is chartered.
  • Recertification cycle transitions to 5 years.

  • Indemnification Agreement is signed.
  • CHMM “Retired Status” is created.
  • Peer Review standards are established.
  • International expansion of CHMM program to Mexico is considered but not enacted.
  • Canadian market for the CHMM certification is evaluated.
  • First winners of Student Competition are announced.
  • Institute Board of Ethics is established.

  • BOD is restructured to meet CESB requirements.
  • First constituency election (1998).
  • Received official Trademark for CHMM.
  • IHMM prepares for Y2K & adopts new MMS database.
  • Student Research Grant program replaces the Student Competition program.
  • CHMMs = 10,000

  • First membership survey is jointly conducted.
  • First student research grants are awarded.
  • “Bridging the Gap – It’s the ‘M’ in EHS” approved.
  • Jack McCambridge serves as President of CESB.
  • Hal Gordon retires from the IHMM Board.
  • Managing Hazardous Materials textbook is published.

  • John Frick replaces Bob Teitler as IHMM Executive Director.
  • Ken Manchen replaces John Frick as IHMM Board Chair.
  • Laurie Segna becomes BOE Chair.
  • Veterans’ Admin recognizes CHMM exam as eligible for reimbursement.
  • Inactive Status is established.
  • Institute initiates IT upgrades. Website is redesigned.
  • ASSE recognizes CHMMs as Professional Members.
  • First significant fee structure change in 20 years.
  • HMMT established as a new designation.
  • Jack McCambridge becomes IHMM representative to the CESB “ECTF on Engineering Licensure.”
  • IHMM promotes 20 years of success.
  • CHMMs = 12,800; Chapters = 66

  • IHMM launches the CHMP, the non-degree equivalent of the CHMM.

  • IHMM applies for ANSI accreditation for the CHMM and CHMP.
  • CESB accredits the CSHM Certification program.

  • Elizabeth Pfeiffer, CHMM, becomes Chair of the Board

  • CESB accredits the CHMP Certification program.
  • Allison King, CHMM, becomes Chair of the Board

  • CESB accredits the CSMP Certification program.

  • IHMM launches the CDGP and CDGT.
  • IHMM converts from paper applications to online service.

  • IHMM applies for ANSI accreditation for the CDGP.

  • Robert A. West, CHMM, becomes Chair of the Board

  • IHMM creates the Hazardous Materials Society Foundation to deliver education and training, networking, and affinity programs.
  • IHMM launches COLLABORATION, its first online networking program allowing certificants to communicate with each other online and worldwide.
  • IHMM acquires ISHM, bringing the workplace safety credentials of the CSHM, CSMP, ASHM, CSSM, and CSSS credentials.
  • Richie “Lorenz” Spangler, CHMM, CDGP, becomes Chair of the Board

  • IHMM launches its first permanent marketing program to promote credentials to business and government.

  • IHMM launched the Student CHMM program and began marketing to colleges and universities to educate college students about professional credentials and careers in hazmat.

  • IHMM launches “45 in 5,” to secure state government recognition of credentials; 13 states came first, then 16 states with partial recognition, then 21 states needing legislation.
  • IHMM launches newly created blueprints for the CSHM and CSMP credentials, followed by new examination preparation courses.
  • IHMM credentials recognized by 9 federal agencies.
  • IHMM launched the Dr. John H. Frick Memorial Scholarship, an annual $32,000 program to support Student ASHMs and Student CHMMs.

  • IHMM begins revisions to the CSSM credential, creating a blueprint and examination for the first time.
  • IHMM launches the Student ASHM program for students in colleges and universities to educate them about professional credentials and careers in workplace safety.
  • IHMM organizes a task force to create a new Sustainability credential, the CSPP, the Certified Sustainability Practices Professional.
  • IHMM launches the CPPS, Certified Pandemic Preparedness Specialist microcredential, with its new blueprint and examination.
  • IHMM launches the AHMM, Associate Hazardous Materials Manager, to serve recent college graduates and military personnel.
  • IHMM created a Committee on AI Policy, and began a pilot program on the uses of artificial intelligence.
  • William A. Diesslin, CHMM, ARM, CSP, becomes Chair of the Board