B&C CONSORTIA MANAGEMENT - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Manager of Non - Attorney Professional Staff
Barbara Christianson has worked at Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) for over a decade, honing her experience in the industries that B&C serves. As a registration specialist, Ms. Christianson supports B&C clients with a broad range of detail-oriented, oftentimes deadline-driven activities.
Ms. Christianson plays a key role in coordinating and providing detailed quality control review of documents and submissions and has significant experience using industry-specific software programs. She reviews and revises regulatory submissions to confirm conformance with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines. In particular, Ms. Christianson:
Formats scientific reports submitted in support of Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) registrations and amendments, and in response to data call-ins, according to EPA's strict requirements;
Coordinates assembly and presentation of EPA forms and related documentation for FIFRA submissions;
Reviews documentation for confidential business information and prepares sanitized submissions; and
Works with EPA e-PMN software to complete Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) submissions, including Premanufacture Notifications (PMN), exemption applications, and related support documents.
Ms. Christianson also assists clients with detailed review of FIFRA product labels to implement EPA-required changes and verify completeness and consistency of revisions.
Since 1996, Carla Hutton has monitored, researched, and written about regulatory and legislative issues that may potentially affect Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) clients. She is responsible for creating a number of monthly and quarterly regulatory updates for B&C's clients, as well as other documents, such as chemical-specific global assessments of regulatory developments and trends. She authors memoranda for B&C clients on regulatory and legislative developments, providing information that is focused, timely, and applicable to client initiatives. These tasks have proven invaluable to many clients, keeping them aware and abreast of developing issues so that they can respond in kind and prepare for the future of their business.
Ms. Hutton brings a wealth of experience and judgment to her work in federal, state, and international chemical regulatory and legislative issues, including green chemistry, nanotechnology, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), Proposition 65, and the European Union (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) program.
Carla Hutton's strengths include the ability to provide quickly and efficiently timely, relevant, and accurate information on specific issues for clients. Through daily monitoring of regulatory news, EPA information, and other resources, she stays on top of government agency and legislative developments as they occur and quickly prepares notifications on various issues. Ms. Hutton has authored several assessments for client-specific materials. Prepared under tight deadlines, these documents still provide detailed analysis of state, federal, and international regulatory trends and developments.
Carla N. Hutton and Karin F. Baron, MSPH, "How might EU proposals on harmonised classification and prioritisation of chemicals for classification impact industry?," Chemical Watch, April 14, 2022.
Job Titles:
- Director of Product Stewardship and Regulatory Affairs
Catherine M. Croke, DBA, Director of Product Stewardship and Regulatory Affairs with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), is a highly experienced professional with more than three decades of success executing product stewardship and regulatory compliance programs within global specialty chemicals and materials companies. Dr. Croke offers clients an exceptionally broad understanding of international product stewardship and sustainability compliance and provides strategic business and technical guidance necessary to achieve business objectives.
Dr. Croke assists clients in promoting regulatory compliance throughout all organizational levels. Her work has included experience with the Systems, Applications and Products (SAP) enterprise resource planning software focusing on maintaining data to support regulatory compliance. She has overseen Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Canadian Domestic Substances List (DSL) submissions, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food safety and food defense plan preparation for human and animal food, and food contact notifications. Her regulatory oversight has included a broad range of applications and chemistries, including food and feed additives; soaps, detergents, and cleaners; petrochemicals and fuel additives; and water treatment chemicals.
In addition to her industry experience, Dr. Croke has extensive experience with U.S. and international authorities. She is a certified compliance auditor for the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 and 14001 standards, for safety and product stewardship protocols specifically related to the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), and is a Global EHS Credentialing® (Board of Environmental, Health and Safety Auditor Certifications) RC14001®/RCMS® lead auditor. Dr. Croke has served as a Special Government Employee (SGE) for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP), and is credentialed in foreign supplier verification by the Food Safety Preventive Controls Alliance.
Before joining B&C, Dr. Croke was Senior Advocacy and Compliance Manager with Evonik Corporation, Regulatory Affairs Manager for Arkema, Product Safety Manager for IVAX Industries Inc., an Industrial Toxicologist with Sunoco LP, and a Physical Science Technician with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Eastern Regional Research Center. She earned a Doctor of Business Administration degree and holds an MS in Environmental Protection & Safety Management Engineering and a BS in Pharmacology & Toxicology.
Chad Howlin has been an essential part of the Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) team for three decades. In serving as Lynn Bergeson's administrative assistant, Chad's responsibilities are extensive. He manages all day-to-day activities, client meetings, client calls, and all domestic and international travel arrangements. Chad manages and assists with the preparation of all of Ms. Bergeson's publications. Chad's relentless devotion to detail and superb organizational skills have made him a well-recognized professional among B&C's many clients and friends. Chad's resourcefulness and calm under pressure are comforting assets to colleagues and clients alike.
Christopher R. Blunck is an attorney with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®) focusing on domestic and international industrial, commercial, and consumer chemical matters. Prior to joining B&C, Mr. Blunck served as Policy Analyst and Special Assistant to the Director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics (OPPT). Mr. Blunck has managed or participated in the development of hundreds of Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program regulations, guidance documents, and policy papers, and his decades of involvement in the regulatory development process at EPA are an invaluable asset to clients seeking to anticipate, address, and resolve regulatory compliance matters.
Over the course of his 30-year career at EPA, Chris developed and reviewed regulations, interpretive guidance, and other policies on TSCA matters, international chemical treaties, and international trade matters related to chemicals; represented the United States in the negotiation and implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and at technical and policy meetings under the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent; and earned numerous agency special citations and awards, including an EPA Gold Medal for Exceptional Service in 2017 for his work on the framework for implementing the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century amendment of TSCA.
Mr. Blunck received his law degree from George Mason University School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental, Population, and Organism Biology from the University of Colorado.
Job Titles:
- Senior Government Affairs Advisor
Dennis R. Deziel, Senior Government Affairs Advisor, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), provides clients with an extraordinary depth of experience and knowledge of the regulatory process and government advocacy, honed through a career of senior leadership roles at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and The Dow Chemical Company, among other significant positions. As Administrator of EPA Region 1, Mr. Deziel led the region's 500-plus employees in managing energy, environment, and sustainability policy and programs, building coalitions across a wide range of stakeholders, including members of Congress, governors, federal and state government officials, industry, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and local communities. Prior to that appointment, Mr. Deziel was Director of Federal Government Affairs for The Dow Chemical Company, responsible for regulatory compliance initiatives across the full portfolio of product categories, including energy, chemical management, automotive, plastics, building and construction, and pharmaceuticals.
Other highlights of Mr. Deziel's career prior to joining B&C include serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary at DOE; chemical security director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and policy advisor at the Council for Environmental Quality. Mr. Deziel earned a B.A. at the University of New Hampshire and a Master of Public Policy degree from Boston University.
Job Titles:
- Director of Chemistry for B & C
Job Titles:
- Marketing and Content Manager
Emily A. Scherer is an integral member of Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.'s (B&C®) team, supporting the marketing and scientific professionals in a range of capacities with particular emphasis on data analysis and interpretation. Ms. Scherer's marketing activities include preparation of physical and digital materials promoting the capabilities of B&C and our affiliates, monitoring B&C's digital content metrics and devising appropriate digital strategy, and supporting B&C professionals at industry conferences and exhibits.
Ms. Scherer's quantitative skills are a tremendous asset to B&C's scientific staff, and enhance the depth and quality of our service to clients through data analysis, database management, and research into regulatory requirements. Ms. Scherer creates a weekly regulatory update for Biobased and Renewable Products Advocacy Group (BRAG®) members and other interested members of the biobased industry, and writes and curates content for B&C's websites and blogs.
Ms. Scherer is a graduate of Washington College, where she worked in the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) lab and was a tutor for Statistics, Management Information Systems, and Financial Analysis.
Job Titles:
- Senior Regulatory Consultant With
- Senior Scientist / Regulatory Consultant
Heather J. Blankinship is a Senior Regulatory Consultant with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®). Ms. Blankinship works with clients to develop strategic, comprehensive, cost-effective approaches to global regulatory compliance, product risk assessment, and sustainability programs to help B&C clients achieve competitive advantage and long-term product viability and success. Prior to joining B&C, Ms. Blankinship directed the development and implementation of integrated global product stewardship and environmental, health, and safety (EHS) activities for Guardian Industries, INVISTA S.à r.l., and Flint Hills Resources, among others. Ms. Blankinship's product category expertise includes oil and gas, polymers and fibers, specialty materials and solvents, glass manufacturing, and industrial coatings.
Through Ms. Blankinship's 30-plus years' experience managing and directing global teams engaged in regulatory compliance, she has developed an extraordinary talent for understanding and devising effective solutions for multijurisdictional and novel or emerging chemical regulatory challenges. Her combination of hands-on experience and innovative thinking make her a powerful asset to clients seeking compliance assistance. Ms. Blankinship has helped companies develop and implement sector-leading strategies for hazard communication; risk assessment; risk management and mitigation, including those related to toll manufacturing and third-party manufacturing; product safety systems and training; supply chain communication; change management; and business process transformation.
Ms. Blankinship provides expert advice and assistance in achieving and maintaining regulatory compliance under many global regulatory schemes, including the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) as amended by the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the European Union's (EU) Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), matters under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission, and the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).
Job Titles:
- Senior Director, Operations and Marketing
Heidi Brown Lewis, Senior Director, Operations and Marketing for Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), manages operations, general business functions, and marketing and business development for our law offices and consulting affiliates in the U.S., UK, and EU. Ms. Lewis brings over 30 years of business management and marketing experience to our firms, having held senior roles in media and communications companies in the U.S. and Europe. Ms. Lewis contributes to cost-effective management throughout the organizations, deploying her considerable skills in strategic planning, process management, marketing technology, and personnel development to help our firms deliver outstanding service to our clients.
In addition to responsibility for financial planning and controls, personnel administration, systems, and physical facilities, Ms. Lewis directs B&C's marketing and business development efforts, promoting our people and services in a manner that clearly expresses our commitment to quality, service, and value across the spectrum of twenty-first century communication tools: client alerts and newsletters; websites, blogs, and social media outlets; industry events and directories; and traditional media and press outlets.
Prior to joining B&C, Ms. Lewis was Vice President of International Marketing at Sony Music, London. Her previous roles include Vice President, Marketing, Columbia Records in New York, and President of Heidi Brown Lewis Associates, a marketing and brand strategy consultancy. Ms. Lewis earned a degree in Molecular Biology from Vanderbilt University, and a certificate in Digital Media Marketing from New York University. She is active in the Legal Marketing Association, the International Legal Technology, the Association of Legal Administrators, and the American Bar Association Law Practice Division.
Job Titles:
- Manager
- BCCM Consortium Manager
Irene M. O'Hara is a Consortium Manager with B&C® Consortia Management, L.L.C. (BCCM) with over a decade of experience in association management, including stakeholder engagement, project management, external affairs, and event planning. Ms. O'Hara's professional network of individuals in government, non-governmental roles, and non-profit associations is an asset to consortia clients and her demonstrated excellence in communications and marketing. She holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations from Richmond American University London and has experience working with nonprofits, professional associations, and financial services firms.
Ms. O'Hara's administrative and management support services include providing antitrust counsel, maintaining bylaws, membership development, and research and tracking of significant regulatory and scientific developments that affect the consortia.
Ms. O'Hara's career prior to joining BCCM included work with the Association of Corporate Counsel, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, the Smithsonian Institution's Hirshhorn Museum, and the United Nations Association of the National Capital Area (UNA-NCA).
Job Titles:
- Regulatory Consultant With
James P. Herrick, Regulatory Consultant with Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), brings nearly two decades of experience with Fortune 500 companies developing, implementing, and managing worldwide environmental, health, and safety (EHS) compliance. Mr. Herrick has gained an exceptionally broad understanding of international chemical regulatory programs while honing a remarkably focused instinct for lean methodologies and continuous improvement philosophies applied to corporate operations. His combination of regulatory knowledge and business acumen is a tremendous asset to companies seeking to achieve global regulatory compliance and business success in a competitive marketplace.
Mr. Herrick offers clients technical excellence, outstanding project management skills, and seasoned regulatory process guidance for products subject to requirements under agencies and frameworks worldwide, including the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Canada's Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), European Union (EU) and United Kingdom (UK) Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and other REACH-like global frameworks. He is certified to assist with transportation matters under the U.S. Department of Transportation Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 C.F.R. Parts 105 - 180), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.
Prior to joining B&C, Mr. Herrick managed EH&S efforts for multinational corporations including Huntsman Corporation and Ashland.
Job Titles:
- Senior Government Affairs Consultant
Job Titles:
- Director of Hazard Communication
Lynn L. Bergeson, Bethami Auerbach, Lisa R. Burchi, Carla N. Hutton, and Zameer Qureshi, Authors, Case Studies in Regulatory Concepts. In Chemical Risk Governance, Adam DK Abelkop, Lucas Bergkamp, Lynn L. Bergeson, and Bethami Auerbach, Editors, Elgar Encyclopedia of Environmental Law, Edward Elgar Publishing (2023).