L’Gena Shaffer, CDGP
Director, Regulatory Compliance
L’Gena Shaffer is a seasoned regulatory compliance professional with more than 25 years of experience in the transportation industry, specializing in the management of dangerous goods compliance programs. In her role as Director of Regulatory Compliance and Instructor, she provides clients with technical regulatory compliance support related to the safe and compliant transportation of dangerous goods across all modes.
L’Gena maintains strong working relationships with regulatory authorities and serves as a staff regulatory compliance specialist for two leading trade associations: the International Vessel Operators Dangerous Goods Association (IVODGA) and the Council on Safe Transportation of Hazardous Articles (COSTHA).
Consulting Responsibilities at Currie Associates
L’Gena’s consulting responsibilities include:
- Preparation and management of PHMSA Special Permit and Approval applications
- Conducting Hazardous Materials Transportation Compliance Audits, including written findings and recommendations identifying regulatory gaps and best practices
- Development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), regulatory reference guides, and product-specific shipping guides
- Development and delivery of dangerous goods training programs for all modes of transport, including:
- 49 CFR (U.S. ground transportation)
- ICAO/IATA (international air transport)
- IMDG Code (maritime transport)
- ADR (EU and contracting parties ground transport)
- Canadian Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR)
- Safe and compliant transport of lithium batteries
- USPS Publication 52 (Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail)
COSTHA and IVODGA Regulatory Activities
L’Gena’s regulatory activities include:
- Serving as COSTHA’s Member Association Executive representative to the U.S. Postal Service Mailers Technical Advisory Committee (MTAC) and has presented to the Iowa and Sioux Falls Postal Customer Councils on lithium battery transport requirements under USPS Publication 52
- Acting as IVODGA’s member representative to the Interested Parties (IP) Group, representing member interests at regulatory meetings
- Leading the COSTHA Life Sciences Roundtable, Air Carrier Roundtable (ACRT), and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Working Group
As COSTHA staff lead, L’Gena represents air carriers across all operational sectors, including cargo, passenger, regional, and helicopter operations. In this capacity, she successfully led the FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) in negotiating resolution of differences between domestic and international regulations related to passenger notification of hazardous materials.
The Life Sciences Roundtable addresses compliance challenges affecting pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, biomedical technologies, cosmetics, food processing, and medical devices. The USPS Working Group monitors regulatory changes to Publication 52 and mailing standards, advocating for alignment between USPS requirements and U.S. DOT regulations.
Professional Experience and Industry Leadership
L’Gena has extensive experience managing cross-divisional corporate compliance programs, dangerous goods management, and industry standards development. As an industry speaker, she has presented at the COSTHA Annual Forum and the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority seminar, “Ensuring the Safe Transport of Electric Mobility Aids.” Her background also includes significant experience in customer service, consumer protection, and non-discrimination compliance in air travel.
Her career highlights include:
- Project Manager, Dangerous Goods Management Group; DOT Liaison for Consumer Protection Compliance; and Analyst, Interline and Industry Affairs at Delta Air Lines
- Chair of the DOT Resource Group and Co-Chair of the Disability Working Group, focusing on regulatory compliance programs
- Facilitation of Complaint Resolution Official (CRO) training for disability non-discrimination compliance and representation at IATA and Airlines for America industry meetings
- Vice Chairman of the IATA Reservations Committee (RESCOM)
- Observer to the IATA Dangerous Goods Board (DGB) and Training Task Force
- Participation in the UN Sub-Committee of Experts on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UN SCOE TDG)
- Director of Regulatory Compliance and Instructor for Currie Associates, IVODGA, and COSTHA
Credentials and Education
L’Gena holds the Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP) credential and is an approved Dangerous Goods Instructor with the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Science, Human Services from Mercer University.
email address: lgena@currieassociates.com