Your ASSP NOVA Nominations & Elections Committee certified the following slate of officers for the 2025-2027 term:
President: Josh Russell
Vice President: Dave Wenzel
Treasurer: Ahana Khokhar
Secretary: Laura Carmona
The term of elected Chapter officers shall be July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027.
Bios and platform statements can be found below.
Respectfully,
ASSP NOVA 2025-2027 Nominations & Election Committee
President: Joshua Russell, CSP
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Joshua Russell, CSP, serves as the Director of Environmental Health & Safety for the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), where he leads with a people-first approach to fostering safe, compliant, and collaborative research environments. With over 20 years of experience in the EH&S field, Josh’s background includes work with biotech companies and as an industrial hygienist supporting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health and is currently pursuing his MBA. Josh regularly speaks on safety, leadership, and organizational culture at local and national conferences and teaches professional development courses designed to help EH&S professionals lead with authenticity and impact.
In addition to his professional work, he serves on the board of the Northern Virginia Chapter of the American Society of Safety Professionals and co-hosts The Illusion of Safety podcast — a platform dedicated to reshaping the conversation around safety through community, curiosity, and connection.
Platform Statement
As president of the Northern Virginia Chapter of ASSP, I will focus on building an inclusive, energized, and engaged community where our members feel seen, valued, and connected. I believe our strength lies not just in our technical expertise but also in our relationships with one another, with the communities we serve, and with the broader EH&S profession.
My priorities include fostering a culture of belonging and appreciation through intentional member engagement, meaningful recognition, and chapter events that inspire connection and professional growth.
I will lead with authenticity, curiosity, and care, and work to shape a chapter that reflects both the strength of our profession and the vibrant future we’re building together.
Vice President: David M. Wenzel, CSP, OHST
Prince William County Fire & Rescue System
David M. Wenzel, CSP, OHST is a Board Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Occupational Health & Safety Technologist (OHST) with over 28 years of experience in risk management and environmental, health, and safety (EH&S). He holds a bachelor’s degree in Safety Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Wenzel spent two decades with Prince William County Government, supporting risk and EH&S programs across 35 agencies and over 5,000 employees. Under his leadership, the County received more than 20 national awards and over $15 million in insurance dividends through innovative risk reduction strategies.
Since 2021, Mr. Wenzel has served as Risk & Compliance Manager for the Prince William County Fire & Rescue System, focusing on risk mitigation, injury prevention, and compliance. He is a long-standing member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), where he has held multiple leadership roles, including President of the Northern Virginia Chapter and Conference Chair for Region VI.
Platform Statement
As a founding member of the NOVA Chapter and active participant since 2006, I bring nearly two decades of dedicated service in roles including President, Secretary, Delegate, and Foundation Liaison. As Vice President, my goals are to ensure continuity and honor our chapter’s legacy, promote the value and benefits of NOVA ASSP to current and prospective members, and support chapter operations wherever needed to sustain our strong, engaged professional community.
Treasurer: Ahana Khokhar, MPH
Howard Hughes Medical Institute Janelia Research Campus
Ahana Khokhar, MPH, is a laboratory safety specialist with three years of experience in occupational health and safety, and is working towards her ASP certification. Ahana has a master’s in public health and has had extensive training in laboratory risk management. She is dedicated to creating safe work environments, with an emphasis on person-centered training and working collaboratively.
Ahana has worked across various sectors, including public health, where she helped improve health literacy and strengthened the emergency preparedness and response capabilities of local health departments. She has also worked in laboratory settings, where she understood firsthand the safety considerations of working at the lab bench. She is skilled in performing risk assessments, safety walkthroughs, and employee training.
Ahana is an excellent communicator, both in written and verbal form, and comfortably provides safety training to employees of all levels. She is most interested in solving problems and making changes to the environment to help people work safely.
Outside of work, Ahana enjoys reading, practicing yoga, and working at her small specialty coffee cart business, KhoKafe.
Secretary: Laura Carmona
Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Laura Carmona is a Senior Safety Specialist with over eight years of experience supporting health, safety, and environmental programs. She leads initiatives in industrial hygiene, lab ventilation, spill response, waste management, and maintains OSHA programs such as respiratory protection and hearing conservation.
Laura also drives institutional sustainability efforts, coordinating the sustainability committee, organizing events like Earth Day, managing the My Green Lab certification program, and maintaining data for greenhouse gas reporting.
Before 2018, she worked at a motorcycle manufacturer, where she contributed to the Environmental Management System. Laura holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering and a master’s degree in Project Management from Georgetown University. She is a LEED Green Associate.
She values teamwork and community engagement as key to creating a lasting impact. Outside of work, Laura enjoys running, reading, traveling, and exploring new cultures