Ann Marie Buerkle to Serve as Acting Chairman of U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

This article contains excerpts from a press release issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on February 10, 2017.

February 10, 2017 | Ann Marie Buerkle was named acting chairman of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on February 9, 2017. Buerkle previously served as CPSC commissioner.

Buerkle will replace outgoing chairman Elliot Kaye, who will remain commissioner at the agency through the end of his term in 2020.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead CPSC as acting chairman as the agency transitions under a new administration,” said Buerkle in a press release issued by the CPSC. “I thank Elliot Kaye for his service as our chairman. His contributions to our agency and to safety, especially in the area of brain safety in youth sports, have been invaluable. I appreciate his friendship and support and I am so pleased he will continue to serve on the Commission. I look forward to continuing to work with him, as well as commissioners Robert Adler, Marietta Robinson, and Joseph Mohorovic, in executing CPSC’s mission.”

Buerkle added that CPSC’s mission “remains the same” despite a change in leadership. She noted that the agency functions better “when we collaborate and recognize the contributions of everyone who wants to help us advance our mission.”

“The Toy Industry Association (TIA) deeply appreciates a strong, productive relationship with the CPSC, its leadership, and excellent staff,” stated Steve Pasierb, president & chief executive at TIA. “We congratulate Ann Marie Buerkle on her appointment, and look forward to working with her and the entire agency as we continue our commitment to ensuring safe, skill-building toys and games for kids, and educating families on how to keep their children safe while they play.”

Prior to joining the CPSC, Buerkle represented Upstate New York’s 25th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. During her time in Congress, Buerkle served on the Oversight & Government Reform, Foreign Affairs, and Veterans’ Affairs Committees. She served as chair of the Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health. While in Congress, Buerkle was also appointed by President Obama to serve as a United States Representative to the 66th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

While in Congress, Buerkle strived to work across party lines on policies that would improve the nation’s economy, reduce wasteful government spending, provide tax relief to the middle class, and ensure veterans had access to the resources and care that they earned. More about Buerkle’s background is available in CPSC’s press release.