Body Art Committee

Our Body Art Committee is comprised of public and private sector experts working in partnership to provide outcomes in the following priority areas:

  • Development and update of our Body Art Model Code (BAMC) and accompanying Annex, which reflects best practices and standardized procedures to ensure public health and safety in the field of body art
  • Identification and development of body art-related policy statements
  • Identification of training gaps, needs of the profession, and emerging issues, with recommendations for addressing these and other issues
  • Identification of best practices, successes, and challenges for environmental health professionals working in the field of body art
  • Guidance, input, and participation in the development of our body art initiatives
  • Promotion and dissemination of body art materials and resources
  • Ongoing collaboration with organizations interested in ensuring best practices and safety in the field

Mission

To be a resource for environmental health professionals and NEHA leadership dedicated to developing resources and programs, increasing workforce capacity and fostering improved body art practices to protect public health.

Committee Membership Guidelines

The Body Art Committee’s membership application period is open annually during the month of September. The focus of the committee is developing resources to support common-sense regulations, risk-based inspections, and public health.

  • Two-year commitment
    • Participate in monthly meetings (1-2 hours)
    • Participate on at least one sub-committee during BAMC update process
    • Participate for the duration of the code update cycle
  • Provide input on proposed projects
  • Have at least 5 years of experience as a regulator and/or in the body art industry
  • Committee Guidance

Committee members need to demonstrate leadership skills, integrity, and professionalism throughout all committee initiatives.

Members

Our Body Art Committee is comprised of local, state, federal, and industry professionals with environmental health and body art expertise.

  • Steve Joyner, Co-Chair, Body Art Compliance Co-Founder, Body Art Alliance, Regulatory & Compliance; NeoMetal Director of Business Development, Association of Professional Piercers (APP) Member Former Board Member, AFDO Body Art Committee Member, Body Art Professional and Instructor
  • Joseph “Austin” Addison, Co-Chair, DHSc, REHS, CHES, EHS IV, Georgia Department of Public Health
  • Alex Rosales, Environmental Health Inspector, Kenosha County Health Department
  • Brian Everett, Tattoo artist
  • Brian Skellie, Piercer
  • Cathy Montie, Cathy Montie Body Art Training Company Founder & Owner, OSHA Authorized Outreach Industry-Specific Trainer, Body Art Industry Professional
  • Christopher Adams, BS, LEHP, Director of Environmental Health, McDonough/Schuyler County Health Department
  • Gretchen Quirk, Water Quality Supervisor, Marion County Public Health Department
  • Heather Woods, Environmental Health Specialist II, Southern Nevada Health District Special Programs
  • Jennie James, Board of Body Art Practitioners Administrator, State of New Mexico
  • Jodi Zimmerman, Registered Environmental Health Specialist II
  • John Johnson, OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer, Association of Professional Piercers
  • John Misock, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Retired), Ceutical Labs
  • Kate Shergold, Society of Permanent Cosmetic Professionals Past Executive Director, Permanent Cosmetic Professional
  • Katherine Martinez, REHS, Registered Environmental Health Specialist, Kent County, Michigan Health Department
  • Kathy Hartman, REHS, OSHA Authorized General Industry Trainer, Retired Lead, San Diego County Body Art Program, Body Art Training Group President
  • Kristina "Kris" Wright, Head of Growth and Expansion for Certified Tattoo Studios, Assistant Director of The Tattoo Academy, Previous owner of Pens & Needles Custom Tattoo and Pens & Needles Body Piercing and Fine Jewelry, El Paso County Health Department Body Art Advisory Group Member
  • Laurel Arrigona, Ceutical Labs, Inc. Regulatory, AFDO Body Art Committee Chair, Body Art Education Alliance Chair
  • Maria Vega, Environmental Health Specialist
  • Matt Bavougian, Body Art Compliance Onyx Piercing Studio
  • Michelle Bilodeau, REHS, RS, Supervising Environmental Health Specialist, Yolo County Environmental Health
  • Michael Crea, M.S. , Florida Environmental Health Association Executive Director, Body Piercer & Body Art Trainer
  • Mike Lopinsky REHS, Community Environmental Health, Franklin County Public Health
  • Nancy Crow, Cathy Montie Body Art Training Company Publisher and Contributing Editor
  • Nicole Gibeau, RS, Environmental Health Program Coordinator/Chief Sanitarian, West Hartford Bloomfield Health District
  • Patrick McCloughen, Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT), National Tattoo Association, CEO of Armadillo Re’s Tattoo
  • Rufus Redsell, MPH, Environmental Health Officer, Runnymede Borough Council
  • Selina Medina, Body Art Alliance Compliance and Education Manager, Bless Your Heart Tattoo Owner, BAA Regulatory Committee Member, AFDO Body Art Committee Chair
  • Sharrita Vantrece, LEHP, Environmental Health Supervisor, Village of Schaumburg Health Division
  • Suzanne Fajgier, REHS, Burlington County Health Department
  • Tyson Schaffert, Alliance of Professional Tattooists (APT) Representative and Board of Directors, Tattoo artist
  • Vildana Tinjic, CP-FS, CPO, PCQI, HACCP certified, RN, Senior Environmental Health Specialist /Food Safety Inspector, Tattoo Program Lead, Linn County Public Health
  • Wendy Maurer, RS REHS, Coconino County Health & Human Services