Rail Industry Hazmat Thought Leaders Summit Series Part 1 with Bill Schoonover from PHMSA

William S. "Bill" Schoonover has served as the Associate Administrator for Hazardous
Materials Safety, within the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration since
2016, serving as the senior career official for hazardous materials safety oversight in
support of the safe transportation of more than 3.3 billion tons of regulated hazardous
products valued at more than $1.9 trillion, annually. He guides the management of the
hazardous materials program’s $105 million budget and the more than 230 people who
work to promote safe transportation of hazardous materials. Previously, Bill served as the
Deputy Associate Administrator for Field Operations, leading PHMSA's comprehensive
outreach and enforcement oversight program.
Mr. Schoonover has over 40 years of experience in the transportation industry and brings a
wealth of experience having worked in several modes. Prior to joining 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 the Staff Director of FRA's
Hazardous Materials Division, within the Office of Railroad Safety where he served as the
chief advisor to the agency on railroad hazardous materials safety issues. He began his
career in 1980 with the United States Coast Guard. Mr. Schoonover also served with the
Coast Guard Reserve from his active-duty departure until retiring from military service in
2003.