January 2026 Newsletter

January 2026

Your update on the latest news and events from AHMP.


From the Desk of the AHMP Chair

I will start off by saying that I am not often totally caught off guard, but during our Board Member vote for the Chair position, I was in fact not expecting to be elected as Chair.  This is my third year on the Board and thus far I have served as Secretary, Treasurer and now Chair.

The past two years have been triage-focused after our financial woes and issues with our Association Management Company (AMC) closing its doors.  However, we have fully recovered from those hard times and are now primed to push forward with growth, stability and a focus on member value.  

The annual conference is one way in which AHMP adds significant value to its membership.  We strive to make the EHS HazMat Summit a conference which is member focused.  The Conference Committee looks for great keynote and plenary speakers, technical

In This Issue:
  • Message from the Board of Directors
  • Affinity Program of the Month
  • 2026 Executive Committee
  • January Webinar
  • Distinguished Lecturer: Jennifer Koenig
  • Toxicology Mini-Conference
  • 2026 EHS HAZMAT Summit
  • AHMP Award Program
  • Chapter News
  • Membership Renewals
  • IHMM News

content, exhibitors and more.  We are incorporating more value-added components to the conference to make your life easier, including lunches and an evening exhibit hall welcome event.  We are united with our friends and colleagues at the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM) to provide guidance on the CHMM and other certifications, status of legislation and regulatory changes.  

In short, we have the EHS HazMat Summit to provide educational and networking opportunities, but there is something more that comes with attending the Conference.  Most of us in the EHS profession work in isolation.  We don’t have as much opportunity to build relationships that other professions may have within the workplace.  I can tell you that I have built friendships in AHMP that I started during conferences.  These are people I would have little opportunity to know outside of AHMP because they’re from all over the country and in many different facets of the EHS profession.  I value my time during the conference to catch up with old acquaintances, nurture those I’ve only had casual contact with and meet new friends.

My challenge to you is to mark your calendar now for the EHS HazMat Summit which is to be held in New Orleans, LA on September 29 – October 1, 2026.  Registration will be opening in early February so you can plan to take advantage of the early bird pricing.

We also have several opportunities for you to get a reduced rate.  The early bird pricing is one, being a delegate for your chapter is another (we now allow up to 3 for each chapter) and the third way to get a reduced rate is to be a speaker for a technical session.  Abstract submittals are already open – submit now

We also add value to membership with the Essentials of Hazardous Materials Management course.  While AHMP instructors offer the course in the fall each year (as “Night School”) over an 11-week period, chapters are also invited to use the content to have their local or virtual EHMM courses through the year.  This may be done through using paid instructors or volunteers from your chapter.  It’s a terrific fundraiser.  If you need information on that – contact me at [email protected] or give me a call at (812) 945-1541.

The Board decided to include more educational content as a member benefit. Our webinars were formerly paid events but are now included with your membership.  If you have not participated in a webinar lately – watch for and attend the next one!

Some of you might be thinking, “that’s all well and good but I don’t have the time for attending AHMP events”.  I will submit to you that this is high-priority time that is well spent.  I own my business and it’s a small one-woman consulting firm.  I know how precious time and money are.  I invest my time in AHMP because it pays dividends.  Resources I invest in AHMP have paid me back many times over in overall industry knowledge, contacts in specialized EHS topics, staying up with trends and technology and much more.  If you’re like me, perhaps you’re a nerd too.  We nerds must hang out together to spread our “nerdy superpowers” across the globe!  Join me in being nerdy!

Jennifer Koenig, CHMM
Chair, Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals, Inc.


Affinity Program of the Month

BLR’s EHS Hero Program
Promoted by Jennifer Koenig, CHMM, AHMP Chair

This is a new Affinity Partnership started in 2025. All AHMP Members in good standing receive a 15% discount on your BLR EHS Hero Subscription. I just renewed my multi-year subscription and saved 15% by mentioning this Affinity Program – it’s that simple. I have used the BLR EHS Hero for probably 5-6 years now and honestly it has been a huge time saver.

If you’ve not looked into the EHS Hero program, it is a terrific resource that will save you hours of wasted time. I use it regularly to look up Safety Data Sheets with its built in 3E SDS search process, stay current with regulatory changes and compare regulatory requirements by state. Included with the program is a Chart Builder that allows you to pull down specific regulatory programs you’re interested in and see what’s different from the federal requirements for that specific state(s). I use this all the time when doing compliance audits in states where I don’t regularly work. Also, when I’m building a new template for various programs including OSHA or EPA programs like Lock-Out/Tag-Out or Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans, I can pull down a template from which to start my customized programs. This is a big timesaver as well.


 2026 Executive Committee

The Executive Committee for 2026 has been voted as follows:

Chair – Jennifer Koenig, CHMM
Vice Chair - Vincent Ricevuto, PE, CHMM, CSP, REM, CIPS
Treasurer – Dave Rice, CHMM
Secretary - Jan Marnicki, CHMM

In addition, Corinne Greenberg, CHMM has been appointed to the open Advisory Board Member position.


January Webinar

Webinar: Rechargeable Lithium Ion Batteries - The Hidden Hazards

January 22, 2026 | 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Eastern
Free for AHMP Members | $15 Non-Members

Register Now

Speaker: Ben Hissam CHMM, CHST, CHSP, REM

Most rechargeable batteries are safe. However, sometimes they have hidden hazards. This webinar will show what to look for if a rechargeable battery would fail. How to recognize if a rechargeable battery may cause a fire or potentially explode. We will look at the types of rechargeable batteries that are on the market. How rechargeable batteries could go into thermal runaway if in cells. This presentation will focus on e-mobility devices and other items you may encounter in the home or at work. Presentation will cover how to protect yourself if a rechargeable battery fails. We will also look at how these batteries cause major hazards if disposed improperly.


Distinguished Lecturer: Jennifer Koenig

Welcome AHMP’s newest Distinguished Lecturer, Jennifer Koenig, CHMM! Jennifer has over 25 years regulatory compliance experience and as an environmental, health & safety manager. Experience includes a broad variety of duties such as providing compliance audits, designing regulatory programs and instituting and implementing training programs to meet OSHA, EPA and DOT regulations.

Her special areas of expertise include regulatory compliance audits, design of regulatory compliance programs, identifying workplace hazards, significant aspects, hazardous waste characterization, TSD facility audits, regulatory training and regulatory reporting. Jennifer’s exposure to a broad variety of industries allows her points of reference to many clients’ industry-specific requirements.

To discuss a 2026 presentation, contact Jennifer at jennifer@ecshelp.com.

What is an AHMP Distinguished Lecturer?

The AHMP Distinguished Lecturer roster is a list of vetted hazardous materials subject matter experts that are willing to share their expertise with follow AHMP members.

The program has been designed with you in mind – whether as an AHMP Chapter Leader, a subject matter expert, or as an event attendee. As an AHMP Chapter Leader, the DLs are available to you as a resource to enrich Chapter meetings and provide CMP hours to attendees. As a subject matter expert, you can apply with the AHMP Professional Development Committee to become a DL and get your name and subject matter on the roster. This will get your credentials in front of the AHMP membership and provide opportunities to share your experience and knowledge in a beneficial way. As an event attendee, knowing that the presenter has been pre-vetted and is distinctly qualified to present the information, leaves you with confidence that the information you are receiving is cutting edge and first in class.

We encourage you to check out the AHMP DL website to see what it takes to be included on the roster, or reach out to those who are currently on the roster to see how they might contribute to your next meeting.


Toxicology Mini-Conference

AHMP Members are invited to attend this event and receive $40 off registration.
Contact the AHMP office for discount code.


Exhibit Booths and Sponsorships are Open for the 2026 EHS HAZMAT Summit!

Join us for another outstanding year of collaboration, connection, and visibility with environmental, health, and safety professionals from across the region.

Secure your preferred booth location early and explore our new sponsorship options designed to help your organization stand out. Learn more and reserve your spot today!

Call for Abstracts is Now Open! 

Are you ready to make a lasting impact in our field? We invite you to submit an abstract that showcases your knowledge, experience, and innovative solutions! Whether you have regulatory expertise, project successes, or compelling case studies, this is your chance to share your experience and educate attendees. Learn More


AHMP Award Program

Call for Awards Committee Members

This is a great opportunity to support the profession, recognize outstanding achievements, and give back to the AHMP community.

Interested persons should:

  • Be a current member of AHMP
  • Have at least two years of volunteer experience (committee experience preferred, but not required)
  • Be available for committee tasks approximately 4 hours per week from May 1 – June 30 during the nomination evaluation period
  • Be an active Gmail user and familiar with Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and related tools

Interested? Please send your resume to [email protected].

All members who enjoy collaboration, attention to detail, and supporting excellence in our field are encouraged to apply!

2026 Nominations Now Open

The AHMP Awards Program recognizes and honors individuals, chapters, and organizations for outstanding contribution in education, training, research, organizational development, operations, and performance that further AHMP's Strategic Plan.

There are four Professional Member awards, three Chapter awards, and two AHMP "Friend" awards.

Award submissions are accepted until April 30, 2026 and selected recipients are awarded during the EHS Hazmat Summit in September.

New this Year: Awards submissions can be completed online

Learn More


AHMP Chapter News

Annual Reports

Chapter Officers: Don’t forget to submit your Annual Report by March 31, 2026. To submit your report, simply visit the Chapter Resources page on the new website, or click here to go directly to the form. Once logged in to the form, you can enter all of your Chapter information and upload any corresponding reports. Note that the form will save your progress. If you have any questions or need assistance accessing, please email [email protected].

ACH Payments

Chapter Officers: During the 2025 Summit it was announced that Chapters now have the option to receive their dues payments via ACH. If your Chapter is interested, please visit the Chapter Resources webpage to complete the form.


Membership Renewals

Thank you for your membership of the Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals (AHMP). As a member of AHMP, you’re investing in your career and strengthening our industry. Annual renewals were due December 31! If you haven’t already, renew today to continue to have access to valuable networking and educational opportunities.

If you need assistance, please contact our office at info@ahmpnet.org or (219) 258-3348.

Renew Today


 IHMM News


 If your chapter/section would like to submit information to be included in upcoming newsletters,
please send your content to [email protected].

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Alliance of Hazardous Materials Professionals
PO Box 6849, New Albany, IN 47151
E: [email protected] | P: 219-258-3348