Meet the Team: Buffalo District Industrial Hygienist Brings Proactive Safety Focus to the Mission

From a childhood spent moving with a Coast Guard family to a career focused on occupational health and safety, Ashlyn Schmitt brings both technical expe… From a childhood spent moving with a Coast Guard family to a career focused on occupational health and safety, Ashlyn Schmitt brings both technical expertise and a people-first mindset to the Buffalo District. As an Industrial Hygienist, she helps identify and evaluate workplace health hazards while supporting safe operations across the district. Ashlyn: I was born at Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station in Havelock, North Carolina, and moved frequently growing up because my father served in the U.S. Coast Guard. My family lived in California and Iowa before eventually settling in Northeast Ohio, where we moved to be closer to extended family after my father accepted a position at the Coast Guard station in Cleveland.

Q: What did you study, and where did you attend college? Ashlyn: I attended The University of Akron, where I majored in chemical engineering and earned my bachelor’s degree in 2020. Ashlyn: I serve as an Industrial Hygienist with the Buffalo District, specializing in occupational health hazards. My work includes conducting air and noise sampling at project sites to help evaluate employee exposure levels and ensure conditions remain within appropriate limits. Q: How did you learn about the position