2026 William Steiger Memorial Awardee

The William Steiger Memorial Award honors individuals from the social/political sphere whose efforts have contributed to advancements in occupational safety and health.

The 2026 William Steiger Memorial Award recipient is James Sumner Frederick, MS.

Commissioner, Virginia Department of Labor and Industry

James (Jim) S. Frederick serves as Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI), where he leads the agency’s efforts to protect workers, support employers, and promote safe, fair, and healthy workplaces across the Commonwealth.

With more than 35 years of experience in occupational safety, health, and worker protection, Jim has built a career focused on bringing people together to solve problems and improve workplace outcomes. Before joining DOLI, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health at the U.S. Department of Labor, helping lead OSHA’s national operations and regulatory initiatives. Earlier in his career, Jim spent many years with the United Steelworkers Union, partnering with workers and employers to strengthen workplace safety, improve compliance, and reduce injuries and illnesses. He has also worked with organizations across the country as a safety and health consultant. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to the idea that lasting progress comes through collaboration, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to protecting people.

Jim holds a Master of Science in Environmental Health and Safety Management from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Health from Purdue University.

As Commissioner, Jim is dedicated to ensuring Virginia remains a place where workers return home safely, are properly paid for their work, employers have the tools they need to succeed, and government serves as a trusted partner in building strong workplaces and a strong economy.

Previous Award Recipients

• 1979 — Congressman David R. Obey
• 1982 — George Taylor (AFL–CIO)
• 1983 — Edgar L. McGowan, Commissioner of Labor, South Carolina
• 1984 — Gershon W. Fishbein, Editor, Occupational Health and Safety Letter
• 1985 — Congressman Joseph M. Gaydos of Pennsylvania
• 1986 — William G. Philips
• 1987 — Sheldon Samuels, Director, Health, Safety and Environment, Industrial Union Department, AFL–CIO
• 1988 — Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia
• 1989 — Richard F. Boggs, Vice President of Organization Resources Counselors, Inc.
• 1990 — Joseph A. Kinney, Executive Director of The National Safe Workplace Institute
• 1991 — David P. Rall, MD, PhD, Director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (1971–1990) and Director of the National Toxicology Program (1978–1990)
• 1992 — Molly J. Coye, MD, Director of the Department of Health Services of the State of California
• 1993 — J. Donald Millar, MD, DTPH (Lond.), the Assistant Surgeon General and Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• 1994 — Eula Bingham, PhD, Professor of Environmental Health; past Director of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• 1995 — Margaret Seminario, Director of Occupational Safety and Health for the AFL–CIO
• 1996 — James Merchant, MD of the University of Iowa, College of Medicine and Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa
• 1997 — J. Davitt McAteer, Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Labor Department’s Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and Andrea M. Hricko, Deputy Assistant Secretary for MSHA
• 1998 — Linda Rae Murray, MD, MPH, Winfield Moody Health Center
• 1999 — Gerald F. Scannell, Director, National Safety Council; previously Director of the Office of Standards in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA
• 2000 — Phil Landrigan, MD, Mount Sinai Medical Center
• 2001 — James Melius, MD, DrPH
• 2002 — Congressman George Miller (D-CA) and Congressman Major R. Owens (D-NY)
• 2003 — Brian Davies, CIH
• 2004 — John Howard, MD, MPH, JD, LLM
• 2005 — Ernest Mastromatteo, CD, MD, DPH, DIH, FABPM (Occ Med), CCBOM, MFOM (London)
• 2006 — Charles E. Adkins, CIH
• 2007 — Earl Dotter, Photojournalist
• 2008 — John L. Henshaw, CIH, MPH
• 2009 — Rosemary Sokas, MD, MSc, MOH
• 2010 — Scott Schneider, CIH
• 2011 — Roger Alesbury, MS, FFOH, CFIOSH
• 2012 — Richard Fairfax, CIH
• 2013 — David Michaels, PhD, MPH
• 2014 — Tom O’Connor, MPH
• 2015 — Garrett D. Brown, MPH, CIH
• 2016 — Vickie L. Wells, MS, CIH, CSP
• 2017 — U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
• 2018 — Bennet I. Omalu, MD, MBA, MPH, CPE, DABP-AP, CP, FP, NP
• 2019 — Michael J. Wright
• 2020 — Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha
• 2021 — Senator Tom Harkin
• 2022 — Andrea Hiddinga-Schipper
• 2023 — Noel Tresider, AM FAIOH
• 2024 — Tuan N. Nguyen, MBA, CIH, CSP, ARM, FAIHA
• 2025 — Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02)