Index to Organizational Structure:
NRSB Organizational Structure
The overall structure of the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) is based on the model of the American Board of Health Physics (ABHP) which is widely recognized as the premier qualifying body for radiation safety practitioners. The bylaws and the specific structure of the Board of Directors are based directly upon EPA's model of an independent National Radon Safety Board. Like the American Board of Health Physics, the NRSB depends almost entirely upon volunteers with professional responsibilities in the health risks, measurement, remediation, and public policies related to radon. In keeping with the Environmental Protection Agency’s insistence that non-governmental certification of radon professionals would require a governing board comprised of radon stakeholders, the bylaws of the NRSB provide for the diverse representation of radon stakeholders on the Board. The fact that the NRSB is governed by professionals from both the public and private sectors of the radon field -- and that all serve on a volunteer basis -- provides the highest assurance that the public interest will always be protected.
Board of Directors: The Board of Directors is responsible for setting the standards, procedures, policies, and certification requirements of the National Radon Safety Board. In addition to annual meetings, the Board of Directors may introduce, debate, amend, and vote upon resolutions via electronic procedures.
Executive Committee: An executive committee consisting of the Executive Director and the Officers of the corporation act as an executive committee to oversee operations on an ongoing basis; generally meeting by conference call the first week of each month and additionally as necessary.
Certification Panels: Operating under the direction of the Board are five panels with the responsibilities for establishing the specific criteria for each of the NRSB programs: certification of radon testers; certification of mitigators; the accreditation of laboratories; the accreditation of chambers, and the approval of radon measurement devices.
Oversight Committees: There are six committees for overseeing the general operations of the NRSB: the committees for professional standards; operating protocols; continuing education; government relations; public awareness; and the nomination of members to the Board of Directors.
Administration: Administrative services, including the processing of all certification applications and maintenance of certification lists, are provided under contract. The administrative service provider handles routine inquiry, the processing of applications, information mailings, exam administration and security.
Electronic Access: The National Radon Safety Board is electronically accessible through its website at WWW.NRSB.ORG and via e-mail at INFO@NRSB.ORG. The website provides current listings of all NRSB certified professionals and organizations, sorted by name, state, and zip code, as well as important primary documents, links to state indoor air quality offices, and business documents relating to the conduct of the NRSB's public service mission.
Because the National Radon Safety Board is a single purpose, nonprofit organization, matters of policy are decided by bona fide experts who volunteer their services. This structure assures the highest level of expertise, avoids conflicts of interests, and assures the lowest possible costs for the program, which in turn provides direct benefits to both the industry and the community it serves.
The National Radon Safety Board Bylaws
Article 1. Name
1. The name of the organization shall be the National Radon Safety Board, which herein after shall be designated as the Board.
Article II. Objectives
1. The primary objective of the Board shall be the development of standards and procedures for certification of radon testers and mitigators, the development and administration of examinations leading to certification, the awarding of certificates, the issuance of written proof of certification to individuals who satisfy requirements for certification, and the revocation of certification. The Board shall also develop standards and procedures to establish that certified radon testers and mitigators are knowledgeable of new developments in the profession through continuing education and have remained active in providing radon services.
2. The Board shall also develop standards and procedures for certification of radon (RDP) measurement devices and the programs that produce radon test results, evaluate the performance of test devices and programs, award certificates to devices and programs that pass performance requirements for certification, and revocation of certificates. The Board shall also develop standards and procedures to establish that measurement devices and programs continue to achieve performance and quality assurance requirements.
3. The Board shall develop standards and procedures for certification of radon testing laboratories and radon chambers, award certificates to those facilities that pass performance and quality assurance requirements, and revocation of certificates.
4. The Board shall develop protocols and standards of practice for radon measurements, radon mitigation, radon laboratories, and radon chambers.
Article III. Membership
1. The membership of the Board shall be at least eight (8) and not more than fourteen (14) members elected by the Board (see Figure 1). There shall [may] be a Board member representing each of the following categories of stakeholders: federal (US EPA), states (regulatory and non-regulatory) (Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors), radon testers, radon mitigators, radon chambers, radon trainers (Regional Radon Training Centers), radon product manufacturers, radon industry (AARST), home inspectors, and an Advisory Council (representing all other interested radon stakeholders)
2. Board members shall be certified in radon testing or mitigation.
3. Board members shall act as individuals and not as representatives of any organization and shall receive no compensation for services from the Board.
4. The term of office of each Board member shall be three (3) years beginning January 1 following election to the Board. Terms of office shall be staggered to minimize the number of vacancies occurring in a given year.
5. The NRSB Nominating Committee shall seek qualified candidates from the above categories of radon stakeholders and shall nominate one or more persons for each vacancy to assure a balance of Board representation among the stakeholder categories. Election to the Board shall be by majority vote of the total membership of the Board from the nominations submitted.
6. When a member of the Board is unable to complete a term of office for any reason, the Board shall, by majority vote of the remaining members, elect a replacement for the remainder of the term.
7. A Board member may be removed from the Board for unethical conduct or other just cause (such as missing two (2) consecutive meetings) by a three-quarters vote of the total membership of the Board.
8. Members of Board appointed panels or committees may sit with the Board without voting privileges.
Article IV: Officers
1. The officers of the NRSB are the President, President-elect, Past President, Secretary and Treasurer [Jan 99] elected from members of the Board by a majority vote of the NRSB members voting. The President-elect shall succeed to President and Past President during a three year term.
2. The President shall preside over the meetings of the Board, and shall appoint necessary panel and committee members with the approval of the Board. The President shall also administer the business affairs of the Board, delegating duties to other members or the Executive Secretary as appropriate.
3. The President-elect shall perform such duties as delegated by the President and, in the absence of the President, shall assume the duties of the President.
4. The Secretary shall keep a record of all meetings of the Board and the Treasurer shall provide an accounting of all financial transactions of the Board with the assistance of an Executive Secretary as authorized by the Board. [Jan 99]
5. The terms of the officers shall be one year and may be followed by consecutive terms. [May 99]
6. The Secretary and Treasurer of the Board and such other persons as may be designated by the Board shall be bonded in an amount as shall be determined by the Board and by a bonding company approved by the Board. Expense of bonding will be borne by the Board.
Article V. Meetings of the Board
1. There shall be at least one meeting of the NRSB each year.
2. The quorum for a meeting of the NRSB is a majority of the members.
3. Except as provided elsewhere in this Article, all actions and decisions made at meetings of the NRSB shall require a simple majority of those members present and voting. [May 99]
4. Motions may be introduced and voted upon electronically: 1) motions may be introduced for discussion by any member of the board during any calendar month and may be amended or withdrawn by the sponsor during the calendar month in which it is posted. 2) A motion shall be considered as having been introduced and seconded if posted and not withdrawn by the last calendar day of the month in which it is introduced. 3) Board members may vote on a motion which has been introduced during the calendar month following the introduction of the motion; for a motion to be considered electronically a majority of the board must reasons by voting Yay, Nay, Abstain, or Table. 4) If a majority of those voting Yay, Nay, or Table vote in the affirmative (Yay), the motion shall carry. 5) If a majority of those voting Yay, Nay, or Table vote in the negative (Nay), the motion shall be defeated. 6) If a majority of those voting Yay, Nay, or Table, vote to Table, the motion shall be tabled and voted upon again during the following month. 7) All motions shall be tallied at the end of the month in which they are voted upon and the results shall be posted electronically by the Executive Director. [May 99]
5. Additional meetings of the Board may be called by the President or by request of a majority of the members.
Article VI. Rules of Procedure
1. In questions pertaining to conduct of meetings of the Board, not covered by the Bylaws or formally established policies of the Board, Robert's Rule of Order shall prevail.
Article VII. Financial
1. The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for proper accounting of all assets of the Board. The Secretary/Treasurer may be assisted by the Executive Secretary as authorized by the Board. The duties of the Secretary/Treasurer include:
a. Billing and collecting all funds due the Board.
b. Paying all obligations of the Board.
c. Assuring administration of the Board's funds in accordance with the approved budget.
d. Keeping a proper account of all financial transactions of the Board and submitting an
annual report, properly audited.
e. Transferring all funds and properties of the Board to the new Secretary/Treasurer
f. Overseeing investment of Board funds according to established policy.
2. Fees related to certification and renewal of certification shall be established by the Board.
Article VIII. Panels and Committees
1. The Board shall establish the following Panels and Standing Committees:
Panels
a. Examination and Certification Panel
b. Continuing Education and Certification Renewal Panel
c. Radon Chamber and Measurement Device Certification Panel
d. Protocols and Standards of Practice Panel
Committees
a. Nominating
b Public Awareness
c. Professional Standards and Ethics
d. Enforcement
e. Appeals
2. Other Panels or Committees may be established for efficient administration of Board affairs.
3. Members of Panels, Committees, and their Chairs are nominated by the President and approved by the Board.
4. The term of a Committee or Panel appointment is three years. Additional terms may be allowed following review by the Board. Committee and Panel Chairs are appointed for a one year term, but may succeed themselves in office.
5. Members of Panels and Committees will have staggered terms so that one third of the membership is changed each year.
6. Members of certification panels for radon testers and mitigators shall be appropriately qualified for their panel as determined by the Board.
Article IX. Advisory Council
1. An Advisory Council shall may [May 99] be established to provide the opportunity for Board representation by a broad cross section of radon stakeholders not otherwise represented on the Board. Anyone interested in representation on the Board may participate in the Advisory Council. The Advisory Council and its programs will not be funded by the Board.
2. The Advisory Council may nominate two members to the Board.
3. The Advisory Council will serve as a forum for broad stakeholder input to the Board.
4. The Advisory Council will assist the Board in achieving broad stakeholder support for Board programs.
5. The President of the Board will convene a meeting of the Advisory Council at least once a year to brief the Council on Board activities and to seek advice from the Council.
Article X. Certification, Approval and Accreditation Procedures
1. Applicants for certification shall apply to the Board on forms designated by the Board.
2. Applicants for certification as radon testers and mitigators shall pass an examination approved by the Board.
3. Applicants for measurement device certification shall submit results of performance and quality assurance testing.
4. Applicants for certification of radon laboratories and radon chambers shall provide design and operational criteria for their facility and quality assurance results.
Article XI. Revocation of Certificates, Accreditations, and Approvals
1. Certificates for radon testers and mitigators may be revoked for actions considered by the Board to be in violation of the Board's policy on professional responsibilities of certified radon testers and mitigators In addition, radon testers may lose certification for failure to use an approved measurement device or failure to meet quality assurance requirements.
2. Approvals for radon measurement devices may be revoked for failure to meet performance requirements.
3. Accredited laboratories and radon chambers may lose their accreditation for failure to demonstrate performance requirements or failure to maintain a rigorous quality assurance program.
Article XII. Amendments
Key Personnel
William J. Bell
Member of the Board of Directors
Bill Bell manages Massachusetts’ radon activities from within the Radiation Control Program. He has extensive experience in radon testing and mitigation and regularly provides consultations and technical assistance to consumers and the radon industry, as well as local, state, and federal agencies. In 1996 Bill directed the successful mitigation of a school found to have radon concentrations of 2,000 pCi/L. He has assisted EPA in its deliberations concerning large buildings and revising the radon contractor proficiency examination. Bill is an associate member of the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors and has served as chair of a committee concerning model regulations relating to the use of analytical x-ray equipment and a task force concerning neutron activation bomb detectors. Currently, he serves on CRCPD’s SR-11 Committee, which is developing suggested state regulations for the control of radon.
Nancy Bredhoff, MBA
President and Member of the Board of Directors
Ms. Bredhoff has been active in the radon industry since 1985 when the Radon Testing Corporation of American (RTCA) was incorporated. Nancy was one of the founders of RTCA and has served as President from 1989 to present. RTCAs testing laboratory, researches, manufactures and distributes a variety of radon test devices, including activated charcoal canisters, liquid scintillation vials, patented electret ion chambers, and continuous radon monitors. Ms. Bredhoff has directed new product development culminating in many patents for state-of-the-art radiation monitors. RTCAs computerized analytical laboratory has processed over 2,000,000 radon measurements for consumers, government programs and professional radon testers. Under Ms. Bredhoff’s leadership, RTCA has developed and maintains the company's nationwide network of professional radon testers. She is often invited as a guest speaker at educational seminars and has authored numerous articles about radon. Ms. Bredhoff has served as Treasurer of AARST and a Member of the Board of Directors for AARST..
Ms. Bredhoff has a B.A. in Political Science from Barnard College and a M.B.A. specializing in Corporate Relations from Columbia University Graduate School of Business.
Andreas C. George
Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. George has 36 years experience related to radiation activities and supervised the Department of Energy radon calibration chamber for North America from 1976 through 1996. Mr. George's professional experience includes three years in the New York City Office of Radiation Control and thirty-three years with Environmental Measurements Laboratory, US Department of Energy, US Energy Research and Development Administration and US Atomic Energy Commission.
He is a Member and a Fellow of the Health Physics Society, a Member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association, and a member of AARST. In 1987 Mr. George received the Distinguished Service Medal from the Secretary of Energy for Meritorious Service. Mr. George has a MS degree in Civil Engineering (Air Pollution) from City College, NY and 30 Graduate College Credits in Radiation Physics, Radiation Biology, and Health Physics. Mr. George has published 100 papers on radiation (most of which were on rradon), and has trained many radon measurement technicians and specialists. He has presented numerous papers at national and international meetings, and has often been invited as keynote speaker.
Paul Houle, PhD
Member of the Board of Directors
Dr. Houle is a tenured full Professor at East Stroudsburg University teaching in the Physics Department and has been actively engaged in radon research for eleven years. He is the director of East Stroudsburg University radon testing and research program and the Radiation Safety Officer for the University. He has tested more than 2500 homes for radon contamination and has administered grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, DuPont Industries, The Dructer Corporation, LePage Industries, and numerous other industries to perform research on radon mitigation materials and detector capabilities.
Dr. Houle has developed ab-initio Radon Training Programs for Certification in Pennsylvania, and has been approved by state and federal agencies to offer Continuing Education Courses on radon nationwide via award winning Video and Text formats. He has lectured extensively on the subject of radon, and has been a presenter at international symposia on radon.
He is a member of the American Physical Society, the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists. He has also been a referee for the American Journal of Physics.
Raymond H. Johnson, Jr. CHP, PE
Past President
As founding President of the National Radon Safety Board, Ray Johnson brought to the NRSB a long and distinguished career as a health physicist, public servant and a professional in radon measurement, quality assurance, and training. From 1963 through 1985 Mr. Johnson served as a Commissioned Officer in the US Public Health Service, including fifteen years as Chief of Radiation Surveillance for the US. Environmental Protection Agency; he has been active in the Health Physics Society (HPS) since 1966, was a founding member of the HPS Radon Section, has served as the Public Information Chair for both HPS and the American Nuclear Society, was a charter member and President of the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, and has been a member of many other professional associations including Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Society, the Society for Risk Analysis, the American Academy of Health Physics, and the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors.
Mr. Johnson is a Certified Health Physicist and licensed Professional Engineer who has conducted more than 250 training workshops and seminars on radiation protection, radiation health risk analyses, environmental monitoring and related subjects, and he has authored over 225 books and other publications. He is currently President of Key Technology, Inc., a primary laboratory for radon measurements which has conducted more than 700,000 radon measurements since 1985, and President of CSI - Radiation Safety and Training. Mr. Johnson is also President of the Health Physics Society.
Elean Robson, PhD
Chair of the Panel on Mitigators
Dr. Robson is a biochemist and industrial engineer with research experience in radiological pharmaceuticals. Dr. Robson has been a professional radon measurement specialist and mitigator for several years and is certified as an asbestos hazard evaluation specialist and building inspector. She is the author of several papers for refereed journals and is a member of the AARST Board of Directors and ASTM Radon Study Group.
Dr. Robson has a BS from Cornell University, an MS from the University of Utah, and a PhD from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Stephen Shefsky
Member of the Board of Directors
Mr. Shefsky is Director of quality assurance for Niton laboratories and is experienced in the development of laboratory methods for radon in air and water by liquid scintillation, electronic instruments, and the operation of radon chambers and calibration systems. He serves on the Board of Directors of the New England Chapter of AARST, is a Member of ASTM, and has taught and lectured on radon measurement technology and quality assurance programs.