US Sec. of the Interior Sally Jewell has named Brian Salerno, a former US Coast Guard vice-admiral who retired last year as its deputy commandant for operations, as the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement’s third director.
He will assume his position at BSEE’s helm on Aug. 26. BSEE’s current director, James A. Watson, agreed to stay through the end of August when he announced his resignation to become president of Houston-based ABS Inc. in early September (OGJ Online, July 10, 2013).
Salerno worked primarily in maritime safety, security, environmental protection, and emergency response while at the USCG. Like Watson, he played an important role in the US Department of Homeland Security agency’s response to the massive crude oil spill into the Gulf of Mexico that resulted from the 2010 Macondo deepwater well blowout and rig explosion.
He also was a member of the National Academy of Sciences’ Ocean Studies Board which explored industry and government readiness to respond to oil spills in the Arctic Ocean. Salerno also was on a team that examined interagency relationships among BSEE, USCG, other government agencies, and federally regulated offshore industries.
He also is a board member of the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association, a group of maritime companies and organizations committed to environmentally sound practices, DOI said. Salerno’s appointment does not require US Senate confirmation, it noted.
Contact Nick Snow at [email protected].
