2025 Regulatory Summit

Nancy Beck provides industry leaders with advice related to the impact of environmental policy, including chemical regulations and compliance programs, applying her in-depth knowledge and applied public health experience as a PhD toxicologist. Nancy has over twenty years of applied public health experience, sixteen of which were from her time in government, including senior leadership positions at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the White House. As a PhD toxicologist she has a deep scientific understanding of chemical risk assessment, risk evaluation of environmental pollutants (including from mobile and stationary sources) and environmental policy. Nancy provides clients with insight into how regulatory policy is shaped and how rulemakings proceed from proposals to final regulations.
Nancy evaluates rulemakings and agency developments, applying her deep knowledge of how underlying technical/scientific information is used to support a rulemaking, assisting clients across all sectors. She works closely with clients to address high-level regulatory and compliance issues within the chemicals, consumer product, and environmental, health and safety arenas, providing advice on matters concerning pesticides, new chemicals, existing chemicals (including PFAS), hazardous air pollutants, food additives and contaminants, and biotechnology.

Ashley Amidon is the Executive Director of the International Wood Products Association. Previously, she served as the Vice President of Public Policy for the National Pest Management Association where she headed up the public policy team, and was a registered lobbyist handling all federal legislative issues and the Treasurer of NPMA’s Political Action Committee. Her issues portfolio focused on pesticides, tax, public health and small business issues. She simultaneously served as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Pest Management Association, which had 250 member companies.

Chris Andresen serves as a partner with the Dutko Government Relations team. He works extensively with clients to identify policy opportunities and threats to create detailed legislative and executive strategies. His broad experience includes working with companies, universities, non-profits, and trade associations in the following sectors: workforce development, consumer products, manufacturing, retail, biotechnology, renewable energy, criminal justice, mental health, technology, and higher education. Chris frequently presents to corporate Boards of Directors on the overall state of Congress and the Administration, focusing on the impact their actions have on business activities and decisions.

Sam Boxerman has 34 years of experience in environmental law, including defending government investigations and enforcement actions under the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). He has extensive knowledge of EPA’s formaldehyde regulation history and current risk evaluation process.

Sarah Hogarth is a partner in McDermott Will & Emery’s Supreme Court & Appellate and Government & Regulatory Litigation practices. She briefs and argues appeals and critical motions, litigates affirmative cases challenging federal and state government action, and advises on legal strategy and dispositive motions in trial courts or before administrative tribunals. Sarah also co-directs the Yale Supreme Court Clinic.

Matt Howsare is the chair of Cooley’s North American product safety practice and a leading global consumer product safety and compliance lawyer who counsels manufacturers, retailers, distributors, trade associations and consumer product companies. From recalls and defect investigations to import seizures and product liability, Matt’s experience spans the most challenging product issues companies face.

A board-certified environmental toxicologist, Travis has experience in litigation support developing novel approaches and solutions to the characterization of problematic exposures. His recent focus has been on risk-driven advocacy and allocation support at large, multi-Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) Superfund sites in Oregon Washington, New York, and New Jersey.

Martha Marrapese is a sought-after legal and policy advisor on matters where technological advancement, environmental protection and governance intersect. Her clients are solving today’s major environmental security issues, including those involving climate change, PFAS contamination and ocean plastics.

Sahar Osman-Sypher is a Senior Director in the Chemical Products and Technology Division of the American Chemistry Council, where she serves at the staff executive for the ACC Formaldehyde Panel. The Panel represents producers, suppliers, and users of formaldehyde and related products, focusing on scientific research, regulatory and legislative advocacy, and stakeholder outreach. She is focused on educating and informing regulators, policymakers, the value chain and the media on the scientific evidence surrounding formaldehyde exposure and safety. With over 20 years of experience at ACC, she has worked on multiple chemical-specific Panels, helping to build consensus and inform policy decisions at the federal, state, and international levels.

As vice president of regulatory affairs for AHFA, Bill Perdue has oversight for all regulatory and technical standards impacting home furnishings manufacturers and importers. He serves as the industry’s primary liaison with legislators, regulators and government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the Consumer Product Safety Commission and others.

Richard Rosati has been the vice president of governmental affairs and industry standards at Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services for over seven years – his latest role in a 22-year career with the company. He is also the current chair of the ASTM International F15.42 Furniture Safety Subcommittee.

Elliot Sigal is a vice president and senior toxicologist at Intrinsik Corporation, a scientific and regulatory consulting firm providing expert toxicology and regulatory advice focused on protecting human health and the environment. He has over 25 years of experience in human health risk assessment, ecological risk assessment, toxicology and risk management.

Amy Vernon is an experienced product compliance expert skilled in the areas of international, federal, state and industry safety and compliance issues related to both commercial and residential furniture. She has been the director of sustainability, ESG and global product compliance for La-Z-Boy Inc., since May 2022. Prior to joining La-Z-Boy she was with Sauder Woodworking in Archbold, Ohio, for 22 years.

Alex Williams is AHFA’s Sustainability & Regulatory Compliance Programs Manager. His primary responsibilities include refining existing sustainability and regulatory compliance programs as well as identifying opportunities for expansion. He also assists with various AHFA technical task groups.