The Mine Safety and Health Administration has announced the selection of the new Superintendent of the National Mine Health and Safety Academy, Dr. Michael Faughnan. Prior to joining MSHA, Dr. Faughnan was the Director, Technical Training and Evaluation of Veterans Benefits Administration Office of Employee Development and Training. Previously, he served in the Department of the Army for ten years, where he worked in a variety of positions including an assignment with the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan.
Dr. Faughnan served on active duty as a field artillery officer for fourteen years, in positions of increasing responsibility in Germany, Fort Sill, OK, and Fort Bragg, NC.
Dr. Faughnan holds a Ph.D. from The College of William and Mary in Virginia in Educational Policy, Planning, and Leadership with emphasis in Higher Education and Adult Education. He also holds a master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College, a master’s degree in Educational Technology Leadership from The George Washington University, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from John B. Stetson University.
He is the recipient of numerous awards including the Department of the Army Meritorious Award for Civilian Service and the NATO Non-Article 5 Medal for service as part of the International Security Assistance Force – Afghanistan.
Dr. Faughnan will be responsible for managing all of MSHA’s activities at the Mine Academy, which is essential to improving health and safety training of MSHA inspector, and miners and operators.