September 30, 2025, Pueblo, CO – MxV Rail, an Association of American Railroads subsidiary, announced Lee Nelson’s selection as Executive Director of the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC). Nelson brings over two decades of hazardous materials emergency response expertise and returns to SERTC during a period of transformative growth and modernization.
Nelson’s extensive background includes leadership roles at Canadian National Railway, where he served as Acting Director of Dangerous Goods for North America, and most recently as Director of Operations at Ambipar’s Advanced Rail Training Center.
“SERTC has always been recognized for its premier training programs that prepare responders for real-world emergencies,” said Nelson. “I’m excited to return to an organization that sets the gold standard for hazmat training and emergency response preparedness. Our commitment to providing immersive, realistic training scenarios ensures that responders have the skills and confidence needed to handle complex surface transportation emergencies safely and effectively.”
Nelson began his career with SERTC from 2004 to 2006 as a Hazmat Instructor and Tank Car Specialist before advancing through various industry leadership positions. His unique combination of field experience and operational management makes him ideally suited to guide SERTC’s continued evolution.
“Lee taking the helm comes at a pivotal moment for emergency response training,” said Niki Toussaint, Senior AVP Marketing & Education at MxV Rail and SERTC. “We are well-positioned and poised to lead the transportation sector in training preparedness, even in the face of evolving and uncertain hazards. Our commitment is to stay closely aligned with the railroads and the broader industry to ensure we are training responders for tomorrow’s challenges while addressing today’s risks.”
Nelson holds numerous certifications, including Hazardous Materials Technician, Advanced Tank Car Specialist, and Hazardous Materials Monitoring. He also serves (or has served) on several industry committees, including NFPA 472, AAR Tank Car, and BOE HAZMAT. Nelson earned his Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with an emphasis in chemistry from Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO.
“It’s hard to get railroading out of your blood, and SERTC is historically and foremost a railroading facility. So getting back to that is exciting for me personally,” said Nelson.
SERTC welcomes opportunities to collaborate with industry partners, emergency response agencies, and training stakeholders. To explore how SERTC can support your preparedness goals, contact Lee Nelson at lee_nelson@aar.com or 719-584-0584.
About SERTC: Established in 1985, the Security and Emergency Response Training Center (SERTC) is operated by MxV Rail, a subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads. SERTC’s world-renowned training programs offer extensive, immersive, realistic professional development that includes full-scale scenarios to help first responders and leaders be better prepared for surface transportation emergencies. The center’s responsibility is to provide the very best hazmat training possible, ensuring responders understand processes required for transportation accidents involving all manners of hazardous materials and can perform the duties that protect communities. Learn more at sertc.org.
Contact: Niki Toussaint, Senior AVP Marketing & Education, niki_toussaint@aar.com, 719-671-8676