DES PLAINES, IL (May 1, 2002) - Karl A. Jacobson, Boston, MA, was recently elected Chair of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Foundation by the Foundation's Board of Trustees at its bi-annual meeting April 5. In addition, Carter J. Kerk, Rapid City, SD, was elected Foundation Vice Chair. Both of their terms will be effective July 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003.

Since joining the ASSE Foundation's Board of Trustees in 1999, Jacobson and Kerk have helped raise over $800,000 for research, education and professional development in occupational safety and health.

Jacobson, senior vice president for Loss Prevention at Liberty Mutual Group, is responsible for safety and health research, product development, technical support and specialty services for the Group's Commercial Insurance Market. He received a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Lowell, Lowell, MA, and is a Certified Safety Professional (CSP). An ASSE member for 23 years, Jacobson is an ASSE Foundation Trustee and a member of ASSE's Career and Professional Development Committee. He is also Chair of the Loss Control Committee of the Alliance of American Insurers and a member of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z10 Committee on Safety Management Systems.

Kerk, associate professor at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT), specializes in education, research and consulting in ergonomics, human factors, biomechanics and safety engineering. Kerk has also taught at Texas A&M University and worked for Dorsey Laboratories, Central Nebraska Tubing and the Nebraska Energy Office. He has a BS and an MS in Industrial and Management Systems Engineering from the University of Nebraska as well as a Ph.D. in Industrial and Operations Engineering from the University of Michigan. An ASSE member for 10 years, Kerk is a Professional Engineer, CSP and a Certified Professional Ergonomist, currently serving as Director on the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, ASSE Foundation Trustee and Chair of the Foundation's Scholarship Committee.

Through its programs the ASSE Foundation is committed to ensuring the future of the occupational safety and health profession by providing financial resources to individuals and organizations. Chartered in 1990, the ASSE Foundation has raised nearly $210,000 over the past nine months from corporate and individual donors for applied safety research, scholarships, fellowships, internships and professional development. This June at ASSE's annual Professional Development Conference and Exhibition in Nashville, TN, the Foundation will award 15 scholarships to occupational safety and health students across the country, two research fellowship awards, two professional development grants and 14 awards for innovative research ideas. Funding for the Foundation comes from corporations and voluntary donations from ASSE members - individual and through chapters countrywide.

Founded in 1911 and celebrating its 90th anniversary, ASSE is the oldest and largest professional safety organization and is dedicated to protecting people, property and the environment. Its over 30,000 members manage, supervise, and consult on safety, health and environmental issues in industry, insurance, government and education. For more information visit ASSE's website www.asse.org.

     

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