After months of gossip and rumors about candidates and short lists, OSHA's new chief is on the way. The White House announced June 13 President Bush's intent to nominate John Lester Henshaw to be assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. Henshaw is presently director of environment, safety and health for Astaris, LLC, in St. Louis, Mo.
Henshaw, 51, is well-known in environmental health and safety circles. His 26-year career in the profession includes stints as director of environment, safety and health for Solutia, Inc., a Monsanto spin-off; and various positions with Monsanto Co., including corporate director of quality and compliance assurance, corporate stewardship for environmental safety and health, and corporate industrial hygiene.