Garcia-Rivera chosen as UW-Madison safety director

Andy Garcia-Rivera, senior consultant for research compliance at Cornell University, has been named as director of the university’s Department of Safety.

“Andy’s experience, knowledge and personality will aid us as we continue to invest in programs designed to maintain a safe and healthy environment for students, faculty, staff and visitors,” says Alan Fish, associate vice chancellor for facilities.

Before taking his current post at Cornell earlier this year, Garcia-Rivera served for 12 years as Cornell’s director of environmental health and safety. Fish says Garcia-Rivera has established a national reputation as one of the top professionals in the field.

“Andy has successfully managed complex safety programs at top research institutions, and has more than 20 years of experience in the field of environmental health and safety,” Fish adds.

From 1988-92, Garcia-Rivera was director of environmental health and safety at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, and he held the same position at Miami University from 1982-88.

Garcia-Rivera is eager to begin his new duties.

“I am grateful and honored to have been selected,” Garcia-Rivera says.

“The interactions I had during my interview with safety department staff, representatives of various campus units, safety committees, students, administration, and other stakeholders were very positive.”

At UW–Madison, he will be responsible for a comprehensive environmental health and safety department that includes programs in the areas of biological safety, general safety, lake safety, occupational health, and radiation and chemical safety.

Garcia-Rivera, who holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology from the University of Massachusetts and a master’s degree in environmental health and preventive medicine from the University of Iowa, is expected to begin work here in mid-August.

His salary will be $120,000.