New Board Leadership Brings Continued Hope for Change

Kent McElhattan Named Chairman of the Board at National Safety Council

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council is proud to announce Kent McElhattan, chairman and co-founder of Industrial Scientific Corp., has been elected chairman of the National Safety Council Board of Directors.

McElhattan worked for 12 years at National Mine Service Co. after completing college and traveled extensively throughout the mining industry. In 1985, he left NMS to co-found Industrial Scientific Corp., a designer and manufacturer of portable and fixed gas monitoring products to preserve human life. As president and CEO, he built the company from 32 employees to more than 800, with operations in 17 countries.

McElhattan succeeds Joseph J. Ucciferro, retired president and CEO of Commercial and Private Sector Businesses at Day & Zimmermann, to the two-year term. "Joe led NSC to a new strategy that defines how the Council can have the greatest impact to prevent unintentional injuries and deaths," said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO.  "His contributions will be felt for many years to come."

"We look forward to the safety leadership and perspective Kent will bring to the Council," said Froetscher. "As a member of the Board of Directors, Kent has demonstrated his commitment to safety excellence. His experience and focus on employees and their well-being exemplifies the values NSC holds dear. We look forward to Kent's leadership in propelling us forward in executing our strategy to save an additional 10,000 lives and prevent 1 million injuries by 2014."

"The National Safety Council is a great organization that is making a very positive impact on our society," McElhattan said. "I am humbled to serve in a leadership position. I look forward to advancing our mission of saving lives in my new role." Since its founding in 1985, Industrial Scientific Corp. has been a member of the National Safety Council. McElhattan has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2007 and also served on the Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2010.

Mark P. Vergnano, executive vice president of DuPont, was elected to a two-year term as vice chairman of the NSC Board of Directors.

The NSC Board of Directors is the principal governing body of the Council, overseeing financial and strategic affairs. NSC also has a Board of Delegates to provide direction on safety and health policy issues and a Board of Trustees to oversee development and fundraising activities.

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.

SOURCE National Safety Council