Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety

William S. Schoonover

William S. "Bill" Schoonover is the Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety, within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration in Washington, DC and serves as the senior career official for hazardous materials safety oversight. Previously, Bill served as the Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations, leading PHMSA's comprehensive oversight program including enforcement, special investigations, outreach and engagement, investigator training through PHMSA's five regional offices, and coordination of activities with modal partners.

Bill has over 35 years of experience in the transportation industry and brings a wealth of transportation experience having worked in several modes. He began his career in 1980 with the United States Coast Guard. In addition to serving on the ground floor of the Coast Guard's packaged hazardous materials transportation safety oversight program, he worked in search and rescue, maritime safety and security, law enforcement, and as a federal on-scene coordinator's representative. Mr. Schoonover also served with the Coast Guard Reserve from his active duty departure until retiring in 2003. Mr. Schoonover also worked in the transportation industry for a short time preparing, offering, and transporting hazardous waste.

Prior to coming to PHMSA, Bill served with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for more than 20 years. He served in several progressive positions from a field inspector to his most recent position as Staff Director of FRA's Hazardous Materials Division, within the Office of Railroad Safety. As the chief advisor to the agency on railroad hazardous materials safety issues he established rail hazardous materials safety policy and provided guidance to a field inspection staff enforcing the hazardous materials transportation regulations in the rail environment. He also oversaw the agency’s industrial hygiene program and provided temporarily leadership to the agency's Motive Power and Equipment program. Bill has been recognized numerous times for his solution-oriented approach to problem solving and his sustainable program development.

He holds a B.S. in business management.