Nick Barilo is the Executive Director of the Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) at the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) and the Hydrogen Safety Program Manager at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL). CHS is a global nonprofit that promotes the safe use and handling of hydrogen across industrial and consumer applications, playing a vital role in the transition to clean energy. In his leadership role, Nick facilitates access to hydrogen safety experts, develops comprehensive safety guidance and educational materials, and fosters global collaboration on technical safety solutions.

A licensed fire protection engineer with over 35 years of experience, Nick has devoted his career to minimizing risk to people and property. He has served on the NFPA 2 Hydrogen Technologies Code committee, where he played a key role in developing its foundational chapters. At PNNL, he supports the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office, overseeing the U.S. Hydrogen Safety Panel and leading national efforts in safety knowledge dissemination and first responder training. Nick is a published author and frequent speaker, having presented widely on hydrogen safety at both national and international forums.