Expert Panel Moderated by Former PHMSA Leader Features UN/PHMSA Alumni, OEM Executives & Data Center Insights; Draws 114 Industry Leaders.
ANNAPOLIS, MD. – June 24, 2026 — Americase International, a leading unified provider of custom packaging, testing, and regulatory consulting solutions for the transportation, handling, and storage of hazardous materials and high-value goods, including lithium-ion batteries, today announced the successful launch of its new book, Mastering Lithium-Ion Battery Safety, which debuted as #1 in Technology, Health and Safety category on Amazon. The book launched during a premier industry event held June 18 at Blackwall Hitch in Annapolis, Maryland. The evening featured author keynotes, a dynamic 30-minute moderated expert panel on UN/DOT lithium battery regulations, thermal runaway containment, and hyperscale data center safety, with 15 minutes of audience Q&A, the official book unveiling and signing, a special Industry Leader Lifetime Achievement Award, and a networking reception.
The highly anticipated event drew 65 in-person attendees and 49 virtual participants — a true who’s who of the lithium-ion battery ecosystem. The audience spanned government officials and regulators from PHMSA and UN bodies who write and enforce the rules; former and current regulatory leaders; manufacturers and engineers from automotive (including GM and Toyota alumni), medical devices, consumer electronics, aerospace and defense; data center and hyperscaler operators managing massive deployments; logistics, supply chain, and 3PL professionals; insurance and risk managers; emergency responders and environmental contractors; compliance officers; and safety consultants and practitioners from across the supply chain.
As lithium-ion batteries power critical infrastructure, data centers, electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and global supply chains at unprecedented scale, the event underscored the urgent need for practical, actionable, real-world guidance on safe transport, handling, storage, and thermal runaway prevention and containment, moving the industry from reactive compliance to proactive, tested safety cultures.
Moderated Expert Panel: Regulators, Manufacturers, Consultants & Practitioners
The centerpiece was a tightly moderated 30-minute panel discussion, expertly guided by Mike Pagel, Senior Consultant at HazMat Safety Consulting; formerly with PHMSA Hazardous Materials Information Center; member of NFPA 800 Battery Safety Code Committee, SAE G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance Committee, SAE J2950 Shipping Transport and Handling of Automotive-Type Battery System – Lithium Ion; and SAE J3303 Lithium and Lithium-Ion Cell and Battery Containment Performance for Storage Committee
The panel brought together an unmatched depth of experience spanning regulators, consultants, manufacturers, and industry practitioners:
- Robby Kinsala –Chief Executive Officer, Americase International; co-author; member of SAE G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance Committee, SAE J3303 Lithium and Lithium-Ion Cell and Battery Containment Performance for Storage Committee, and UN Informal Working Group on Hazard Classification of Lithium Batteries.
- Chris Egloff – Chief Revenue Officer, Americase International; co-author; member of SAE G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance Committee, SAE J3303 Lithium and Lithium-Ion Cell and Battery Containment Performance for Storage Committee, and UN Informal Working Group on Hazard Classification of Lithium Batteries.
- Ryan Paquet – President, HazMat Safety Consulting; co-author; former Director of Approvals and Special Permit – US DOT / PHMSA and Deputy Director of International Standards, US Delegate to the UN Subcommittee and International Maritime Organization; member of SAE G-27 Lithium Battery Packaging Performance Committee, SAE J3303 Lithium and Lithium-Ion Cell and Battery Containment Performance for Storage Committee, and UN Informal Working Group on Hazard Classification of Lithium Batteries.
- Bob Richard – Vice President, HazMat Safety Consulting; former Deputy Associate Administrator – US DOT / PHMSA; Director of International Standards – USDOT / PHMSA Chairman of UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG); ICAO Panel Member for the USA; member of UN Subcommittee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, IMO Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC), UL Standards Committees, U.S. Government Interagency Hazmat Council, U.S. DOT Multimodal Coordination Committee, DOD Munitions Interagency Committee, and Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM).
- Duane Pfund – Senior Consultant, HazMat Safety Consulting; former Director of International Programs – US DOT / PHMSA; past Chairman UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNSCOE TDG); ICAO Panel Member; IMO United States Representative
- John Redman – Chief Operating Officer, Americase International; former Director of Global Compliance and Dangerous Goods Transportation at General Motors and Manager of Dangerous Goods Compliance at Toyota Motor North America with 30+ year lithium battery safety expertise; member of SAE International, and ACT 209 Hawaiian Working Group
- Dalan Zartman – Chief Executive Officer, Energy Security Agency (ESA); 20+ year career firefighter rescue expert
Key topics included the historical evolution of lithium-ion battery regulations, regulatory gaps, OEM/recall realities and preparedness, UN hazard-based classification, and scaling safety for hyperscale data centers.
Key Takeaways from the Panel
- Worst-case real-world testing at 100% state-of-charge (SOC) reveals risks that lab minimums miss.
- Data centers and hyperscalers face infrastructure and fire code challenges not anticipated in current regulations.
- Collaboration with fire marshals and insurance partners dramatically improves risk mitigation outcomes.
- Proactive containment solutions must balance safety with operational speed in high-velocity environments.
- Emerging UN hazard-based classification can better incentivize safer designs if paired with robust industry testing.
“Regulations struggle to keep pace with the rapid evolution of lithium-ion battery technology and deployment at scale,” said Robby Kinsala, CEO of Americase International and co-author. “…real-world, worst-case testing and proactive thermal runaway containment aren’t optional—they’re essential to making the world safer with respect to lithium batteries, new or damaged, in any mode of transport.”
“Data centers and hyperscalers are deploying lithium batteries at unprecedented speed… but many facilities were never designed for the new fire and infrastructure risks this introduces,” added Chris Egloff, Chief Revenue Officer of Americase International and co-author. “The real challenge is engineering solutions that contain thermal events effectively without disrupting the high-velocity logistics these operations demand—because downtime itself can be catastrophic.”
“Regulations set the floor… but when you’re dealing with damaged, defective, or recalled batteries, or large-scale storage in data centers, the actual risks demand far more,” noted Ryan Paquet, President of HazMat Safety Consulting, co-author, and former Director of PHMSA’s Approvals and Permits Division. “The most critical factors are real-world testing in the exact configurations… combined with strong relationships with fire marshals and insurance partners. The emerging hazard-based classification work at the UN is promising if paired with robust industry testing.”
A full recording of the moderated panel discussion is available here for those interested in the complete conversation.
Co-authored by Robby Kinsala, Chris Egloff, and Ryan Paquet, Mastering Lithium-Ion Battery Safety serves as a comprehensive, practical resource for engineers, logistics professionals, compliance leaders, manufacturers, insurers, data center operators, and any organization managing lithium-ion battery risk throughout the supply chain. Drawing on decades of hands-on experience, the book covers regulatory compliance (UN 38.3, DOT, IATA, FAA, SAE standards), proactive containment strategies, transportation and storage requirements and packaging, recall response planning, operational risk management, and the future direction of safety standards.
For more information about the new book, visit Mastering Lithium-Ion Battery Safety on Amazon.
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About Americase International
Americase International delivers end-to-end mission-critical protection solutions through integrated engineering, testing, and regulatory expertise. Combining the capabilities of HazMat Safety Consulting, Americase, and Fulcrum Testing, the company helps organizations safely validate, package, and deploy high-value and hazardous products worldwide. Serving leaders across aerospace, defense, energy, medical, technology, and other highly regulated industries, Americase International provides comprehensive lifecycle support—from engineering through testing, compliance, containment, and global market access. With more than 200 years of combined regulatory experience and over 40 years of expertise in engineering, testing, and manufacturing innovation, Americase International helps organizations navigate complexity with confidence, delivering proven solutions where failure is not an option. For more information, visit www.AmericaseInternational.com.