US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director James A. Watson will step down from the agency in order to join maritime class society ABS as its president and chief operating officer (COO) of the Americas Division, effective September 2, 2013.
US Department of the Interior Secretary Sally Jewell issued this statement on Watson's impending departure: “Director Watson has served with distinction and has helped implement the most aggressive and comprehensive offshore oil and gas regulatory reforms in the nation’s history. I want to thank Jim for his decades of service to our country and for his leadership at the Bureau. His commitment to safety at all levels and at all times will have deep and meaningful benefits for the men and women of America’s offshore industry who continue to help fuel our domestic energy future.”
Watson, in his role as BSEE director, oversaw regulatory rules and enforcement of offshore operations on the US Outer Continental Shelf, including BSEE's SEMS compliance program. Prior to BSEE, Watson served as the US Coast Guard’s Director of Prevention Policy for Marine Safety, Security and Stewardship. He also served as the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the government-wide response to the Macondo oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in June 2010.
“The Coast Guard, BSEE and ABS have similar missions of promoting safety and protecting the environment; so Jim’s background makes him uniquely qualified for this position working alongside both the marine and offshore industries,” said ABS Chairman and CEO Christopher J. Wiernicki regarding Watson's appointment. “Jim’s understanding of the critical safety issues the offshore sector is facing today will enable ABS to enhance the level of service we are able to provide to government and industry.”
Watson graduated in 1978 from the US Coast Guard Academy with a Bachelors of Science degree in Marine Engineering and holds Master of Science degrees from the University of Michigan in Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in addition to a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Watson will take over for Robert Gilman at ABS, where he will serve out of the Houston office. Gilman is moving on to the ABS Group (ABSG) of Companies as senior vice president and head of technical inspection services within the ABS affiliated company, ABSG Consulting. In his new role, Watson will have operational responsibility for activity in North, South and Central America and the Caribbean.
NOIA President Randall Luthi praised Watson for his work with BSEE.
“Director Watson took the time to understand the offshore energy industry and was always willing to meet with industry members to discuss mutual issues and concerns," he said. "We wish him the best in his new career path. We look forward to working with the next BSEE director and are hopeful that he or she will continue an active, effective and productive dialogue with the offshore industry.”
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