President Trump nominated Wayne Palmer, who recently served as executive vice president of the Essential Minerals Association (EMA), to serve as the next assistant secretary of the Mine Safety & Health Administration (MSHA).
Palmer served in the first Trump administration as principal deputy assistant secretary at MSHA, where he worked to implement programs and initiatives. He was also acting assistant secretary for a brief period in 2017 before David Zatezalo was confirmed by the Senate to the position.
“I could not be more thrilled for Wayne to have this opportunity, and I’m happy to know that the administration is gaining a person of such strong character who also has the depth of knowledge and understanding to bring to this position of protecting our industry’s workforce,” says Chris Greissing, EMA president. “Congratulations to our friend and colleague, Wayne Palmer, on this amazing opportunity.”
Palmer served EMA from July 2021 to January of this year. During his time there, the association says he led its safety and health committee by leading the Battery & Green Energy Minerals section to represent the interests of minerals used for those purposes. Additionally, EMA says Palmer assembled a coalition of more than 50 universities and associations to support the Mining Schools Act, bipartisan legislation to provide grants for post-secondary programs in mining engineering, geological engineering, metallurgical engineering and geology.
“Wayne has not only been a terrific asset to the EMA team since he joined the association in 2021, but he has also been an invaluable resource for our members as well,” Greissing says.
Palmer’s nomination was put forth on Tuesday to the Senate, which will have to ultimately confirm him to the position before he takes over as MSHA assistant secretary.
