OWM Welcomes Scott Simmons as NIST Associate

Byline: Tina Butcher and Katrice Lippa

NIST OWM is pleased to welcome Scott Simmons as a new NIST Associate and metering device and petroleum safety training specialist.

Scott began his career as a field inspector with what was the Oil Inspection Section of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor in January 1993. He worked for many years as a field inspector, which then evolved into roles as an LP-Gas technical specialist, team leader, field supervisor, and most recently the LP-Gas and Weights and Measures Supervisor. In this role, he managed the LP-Gas and Weights and Measures sections, which included both weights and measures and LP-Gas fire code responsibilities, in addition to alternative fuels, weights and measures, and the fuel quality laboratory. Scott retired from the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety in January 2024 after 31 years of service.

Scott is not new to NIST OWM. In fact, he worked with NIST as a volunteer “Train the Trainer” from 2013 until his retirement in 2024. Scott conducted over 20 training courses and hands-on field training with both NIST trainers and other “Train the Trainers” as well as independently during that time. Scott will continue this endeavor and will be partnering with OWM’s Tina Butcher to develop and deliver much-needed field training related to the inspection and testing of commercial metering systems such as retail motor-fuel dispensers, vehicle-tank meters, and liquefied petroleum gas liquid-measuring devices for compliance with NIST Handbook 44. Scott and Tina are currently developing two segments of a pilot training course on retail motor-fuel dispensers that will be presented in a “blended“ format, consisting of instructor-led webinars, self-study activities, and an in-person session that includes a “hands-on” demonstration and individual learner assessments.  The next segment under development focuses on safety in RMFD inspections, taking full advantage of Scott’s considerable expertise in this area.