With all gratitude following 37 years of service.

Our longtime colleague Steve Brehio, CSP, CHMM, Director of the Office of Academic and Research Safety, will be retiring and his last day on campus will be June 17, 2022.

Starting at Northeastern in 1984 as a Health and Safety Technician, Steve advanced through the ranks with his professional development culminating with his promotion to director in January 2021. Steve has contributed much to Northeastern in his various safety roles, including teaching an undergraduate course in environmental health and safety as a lecturer from 1994 – 2003. He was instrumental in building the laboratory inspection program, initiating safety equipment audits, and working with the Boston Fire Department to implement a laboratory hazard rating (NFPA) system across campus.

Later in his career, Steve developed and implemented the plan that allowed the office to take advantage of new evolving technology that resulted in online training, office website development, and a software platform for managing laboratory safety information.  As Director, Steve has invested his efforts in aiding the transition of the environmental compliance program to Facilities Services as well as supporting the restructure of the EH&S program resulting in the creation of the Office of Academic and Research Safety.  In support of safety and environmental protection, Steve served on the Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence as a member of the Board of Directors and Treasurer from 2005-2019. He also served as a Board Member and Treasurer from 2001 -2011 for NELRAD, a radioactive material consortium.

While Steve is known for his role in EH&S, he is also an Alumnus who received his Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Engineering in 1990. Beyond his contribution to health and safety, Steve is an avid fisherman who is looking forward to quiet days out on the water with the fresh New England air.

Replacing Steve as the interim Director is Peter Schneider, a Northeastern University Alumnus. Peter will be providing continuity in leadership and transition support until a permanent Director is hired. Peter is an experienced and respected safety professional who has served as Director of Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) at several large R1 universities including Boston University, University of Texas at Austin, and Dartmouth College. Along with an established career within higher education, Peter has also worked as an EH&S consultant supporting college and universities in building safety programs.

Please join me in wishing Steve all the best as he enters this next phase in his life.

Marrné A. Smith,  Associate Vice Provost for Education and Research Safety