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Faculty & Staff

Our Faculty, Staff Members and Business Consultants

Our faculty and staff bring real-world experience, technical expertise, and a passion for workforce development into every classroom. With backgrounds in industry, safety, health, and technical operations, our team is committed to providing practical, career-focused training that prepares students for today’s job demands. We don’t just teach information — we mentor, guide, and support students as they build skills, confidence, and a pathway toward meaningful careers.

About Dr. Paul Nims, Ph.D., CSP, CHST
 
Dr. Paul Nims leads the consulting efforts at Three Nails Safety Group. He brings over 15 years of experience in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, health physics (radiation protection), and risk management across private industry, construction, manufacturing, utilities, and Department of Energy (DOE) environments.
 
Dr. Nims is known for his ability to translate complex regulatory requirements into practical, defensible, and effective safety programs. His work bridges the gap between compliance expectations and operational realities.​
​
Professional Background
​
Throughout his career, Dr. Nims has held a wide range of leadership and technical roles, including:
 
Safety Director
Safety Engineer
EHS Manager
Risk Manager
Industrial Hygienist
Health Physicist
Radiological Control Technician
Safety Specialist
​
This diverse experience allows him to offer a well-rounded, practical approach to workplace safety and risk management.
​​
Education
​
Dr. Nims holds multiple academic degrees and professional diplomas, earned with distinction:
 
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Industrial Hygiene
Master’s in Safety & Health with Environmental Management
Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management
Graduate Certificate in Industrial Hygiene Management
Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health – Summa Cum Laude, Alpha Sigma Pi Honor Society
Associate of Science in Occupational Safety and Health
Associate of Arts in General Studies
Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health
​​​
Professional Certifications & Designations
​
Dr. Nims is a Board-Certified Safety Professional (BCSP), holding credentials that represent the highest standards in the field:
 
CSP – Certified Safety Professional (BCSP “Gold Standard”)
CHST – Construction Health and Safety Technician
AHERA Asbestos Inspector
ANSI 3.1 HPT/RCT – Health Physics Technician / Radiological Control Technician
NIOSH 582 – Sampling and Evaluating Airborne Asbestos Fibers
OSHA 500, 501, 511, and OSHA 30-Hour
Radiological Control/Protection Technician
(Former) ASP – Associate Safety Professional
​​​
Professional Memberships & Honors
​
Dr. Nims has been recognized for his academic excellence and leadership potential through induction into several national honor societies:
 
The National Society of Leadership and Success (Alpha Sigma Pi) — Awarded for exceptional academic performance (Summa Cum Laude) and leadership potential.
Omega Nu Lambda Honor Society — A doctoral-level national honor recognizing academic excellence and distinction.
​
Dr. Nims combines technical expertise, regulatory insight, and hands-on experience to provide clients with practical, results-driven safety and health solutions. His leadership and deep understanding of industrial environments continue to advance Three Nails Safety Group’s mission to improve workplace safety and risk management across the Pacific Northwest.

President and Chief Professor / Instructor

Dr. Paul Nims, Ph.D., CSP, CHST

Assistant Instructor – Nuclear Systems

Mr. Criag Hill

Registrar and Director of Administration

Mrs. Arica Nims

Safety Training & Compliance Instructor (Owner of Compliance Alliance)

Dalena Tripplet

Buisness and Training Affairs Consultant (Former Part Owner of EnergX)

Mr. Ben Geppert

Safety Training & Compliance Instructor

Mr. Pete Wells

About the President

 

Dr. Paul Nims leads the efforts at the Atomic Technical Institute (ATI). He brings over 15 years of experience in occupational safety, industrial hygiene, health physics (radiation protection), and risk management across private industry, construction, manufacturing, utilities, and Department of Energy (DOE) environments.

Professional Background

Throughout his career, Dr. Nims has held a wide range of leadership and technical roles, including:

 

  • Safety Director

  • Safety Engineer

  • EHS Manager

  • Risk Manager

  • Industrial Hygienist

  • Health Physicist

  • Radiological Control Technician

  • Safety Specialist

This diverse experience allows him to offer a well-rounded, practical approach to workplace safety and risk management.

​​

Education

Dr. Nims holds multiple academic degrees and professional diplomas, earned with distinction:

 

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Industrial Hygiene

  • Master’s in Safety & Health with Environmental Management

  • Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management

  • Graduate Certificate in Industrial Hygiene Management

  • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health – Summa Cum Laude, Alpha Sigma Pi Honor Society

  • Associate of Science in Occupational Safety and Health

  • Associate of Arts in General Studies

  • Certificate in Occupational Safety and Health

​​​

Professional Certifications & Designations

Dr. Nims is a Board-Certified Safety Professional (BCSP), holding credentials that represent the highest standards in the field:

 

  • CSP – Certified Safety Professional (BCSP “Gold Standard”)

  • CHST – Construction Health and Safety Technician

  • AHERA Asbestos Inspector

  • ANSI 3.1 HPT/RCT – Health Physics Technician / Radiological Control Technician

  • NIOSH 582 – Sampling and Evaluating Airborne Asbestos Fibers

  • OSHA 500, 501, 511, and OSHA 30-Hour

  • Radiological Control/Protection Technician

  • (Former) ASP – Associate Safety Professional

​​​

Professional Memberships & Honors

Dr. Nims has been recognized for his academic excellence and leadership potential through induction into several national honor societies:

 

  • The National Society of Leadership and Success (Alpha Sigma Pi) — Awarded for exceptional academic performance (Summa Cum Laude) and leadership potential.

  • Omega Nu Lambda Honor Society — A doctoral-level national honor recognizing academic excellence and distinction.​

Atomic

Dedicated to preparing skilled professionals for nuclear, safety, and environmental technical careers.

ati bomb.png

Office and Location

1835 Terminal Dr. Suite 130
Richland, WA 99354

DrNims@atomictechnicalinstitute.com

Tel: 509-380-1316

Open Hours

Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm​ 

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Financial Office

Admissions

Admissions@atomictechnicalinstitute.com
Tel: 509-380-1316 or 509-380-8719

2026 by Atomic Technical Institute. All training and educational programs are independently operated and are not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Hanford Site contractors, or the HAMMER Federal Training Center. Completion of any course does not constitute DOE qualification, site qualification, or employment authorization.

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