National Safety Council Announces New Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors

DuPont's Mark P. Vergnano Elected

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council elected Mark P. Vergnano to the position of vice chairman of the Board of Directors during its 2010 Congress & Expo in San Diego. Vergnano, executive vice president of DuPont, will serve a two-year term.

Vergnano received his BS in chemical engineering from the University of Connecticut and an MS in business administration from Virginia Commonwealth University. Beginning his career with DuPont in 1980, Vergnano now is responsible for six of the 13 DuPont businesses, including Building Innovations, Protection Technologies, Sustainable Solutions, Electronics & Communications, Chemicals & Fluoroproducts, and Titanium Technologies. In addition, he leads the science company's Safety, Health and Environment, Sustainability, Marketing & Sales, and Communication functions.

Vergnano replaces Michael Henderek as vice chairman. Henderek, retired from ExxonMobil, served as vice chairman since 2007.  "Mike has made significant contributions to NSC as vice chairman. We are looking forward to his continued contributions on the NSC Board of Directors and in his new role as chair of the Council's World Class Team," said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO.

"We are excited for the leadership Mark will bring as vice chairman," Froetscher said. "As an NSC board member for four years, Mark has a deep understanding of the Council's strategy. As vice chairman, Mark will lead our Delegates, a group of more than 50 safety leaders who provide guidance to the NSC on safety issues and policies."

"I am honored to have this opportunity to serve as vice chairman of the Board and working with the Council to help others achieve safety excellence. One of DuPont's key focus areas is Protecting People, a strategy that is shared with the National Safety Council mission. By partnering together, we can protect and save more people's lives in and outside the workplace," said Vergnano.

DuPont has been a member of the NSC since 1914. Vergnano has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2006. He also has served on the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors of the International Safety Council.

Kent McElhattan, chairman and co-founder of Industrial Scientific Corp., was elected to a two-year term as chairman of the NSC Board of Directors at the annual meeting.

The NSC Board of Directors is the principal governing body of the Council, overseeing financial and strategic affairs. As the newly elected vice chairman, Vergnano also assumes chairmanship of the NSC Board of Delegates. The Board of Delegates provides direction to the Council on safety and health policy issues.

The National Safety Council (www.nsc.org) saves lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the roads through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 90 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets, including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.

SOURCE National Safety Council