Mark Abkowitz
Mark Abkowitz holds an appointment as professor of civil and environmental engineering at Vanderbilt University. He is also the founder and former Chairman of Visual Risk Technologies, an operational risk management consulting firm headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. Abkowitz received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in civil engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Abkowitz specializes in the management, assessment and communication of risks impacting safety, security and the environment. He has authored over 100 publications on these and related topics, and has appeared on National Public Radio, Fox National News and CNBC to discuss risk issues of national importance. Abkowitz has served as chair of several national and international technical and advisory committees, and is currently a member of the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, having been appointed to this position by President George W. Bush in June 2002. He is the recipient of the 1996 Distinguished Service Award from the National Academy of Sciences for his leadership role with the Transportation Research Board.
Abkowitz has served as a researcher and consultant to a wide variety of businesses and government agencies, including:
• Bridgestone Americas
• General Electric
• Saturn Corporation
• National Science Foundation
• Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway
• New Jersey Department of Transportation
• National Propane Gas Association
• Condea Vista Chemicals
• Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail)
• Reichhold Chemicals
• Ryder Transportation Services
• Georgia Gulf
• Japan Ministry of Transport
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• U.S. Maritime Administration
• Rohm & Haas
• Union Pacific Railroad
• Allied Signal
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• California Highway Patrol
• Tennessee Department of Transportation
• Ingram Barge Company
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
As an accomplished public speaker, Abkowitz has addressed audiences at several national and international forums.
