Yesterday, April 30, 2008, OSHA director Edwin G. Foulke announced new appointments to key executive positions at the agency, according to an OSHA release.

Ken Nishiyama-Atha has been selected as the new regional administrator for OSHA's Region 9, including California, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands. Nishiyama-Atha began his career with OSHA in 1997 as a safety specialist in the Milwaukee-area office. He has served as assistant area director for OSHA's Appleton, Wis., area office, and as area director in the Columbia, S.C., and Mobile, Ala., area offices. Prior to his new appointment, Ken was the acting deputy regional administrator in Region 3.

That position has now been filled permanently by John Hermanson. Hermanson was selected as OSHA's new regional administrator for Region 3, which serves Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware and the District of Columbia, after serving as deputy regional administrator for Region 8 (Rocky Mountains). John began his career with OSHA in 1976 as an industrial hygienist in the agency's Indianapolis area office.

Also this week, Steven F. Witt was appointed as the new director of the agency's Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs. Witt began his career at the Department of Labor in 1972 as an attorney in the Office of the Solicitor. In 1983, he joined OSHA and held several positions including special assistant to the assistant secretary and director of the Directorate of Standards and Guidance. He served as the director of OSHA's Directorate of Construction since October 2006.