The University of Colorado at Boulder has appointed Derrick K. Watson, a campus veteran with more than 20 years of administrative experience, as its new director of Environmental Health and Safety.

Watson's appointment became permanent on Oct. 15 after he served in the position on an interim basis starting Aug. 1. He will report to Paul Tabolt, vice chancellor for administration, for whom he has been an assistant since 2001.

"Derrick has been a trusted adviser to me for years, providing supervision and training opportunities for my staff," Tabolt said. "I am confident he will fulfill his new duties as director of environmental health and safety with the same dedication and expertise the university has come to know and rely on."

In his new position, Watson will be responsible for a department that provides consulting and compliance services to the campus in areas such as radiation safety, hazardous materials and waste disposal, industrial hygiene, asbestos and lead management, emergency planning and environmental regulatory compliance. He also will act as a liaison between the campus and local, state and federal regulatory agencies.

"It's an honor for me to accept this appointment as it will allow me to contribute to and oversee the university's mission of creating a greener, safer and more efficient campus for the entire CU-Boulder community," Watson said.

Watson has a bachelor's degree in business administration and management from Cameron University and a master's degree in business administration from Regis University. He has completed post-graduate work in CU's Leadership Forum and Stanford University's Executive Leadership and Management Institute.

Since coming to CU-Boulder in 1984, Watson has worked as director of the Educational Talent Search Program in the Student Academic Services Center, assistant director of Career Services, assistant to the director of Housing and Dining Services and assistant to the vice chancellor for administration.

For more information, visit http://ehs.colorado.edu/.