Lee Nelson brings over two decades of hazardous materials emergency response expertise and returned to SERTC in 2025 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.
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.
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.