0
0
- NSC.org
- NSC Shop
- Injury Facts
- Safety+Health Magazine
The Advanced Safety Certificate® Scholarship for Veterans gives U.S. military veterans the opportunity to complete the NSC Advanced Safety Certificate (ASC) program for free. It also connects veterans who complete the ASC program with environmental, health and safety professionals, and vital career resources.
For veterans considering a career in safety, the ASC program delivers a clear roadmap and best-in-class educational experiences. It is based on proven best practices and builds on knowledge of compliance requirements to further safety education and enhance leadership skills needed to drive fundamental safety change at an organization. Even better, through the ASC Scholarship for Veterans program, the courses are free.
Get support on your safety career. Take advantage of networking opportunities with safety leaders from various industries.
Complete the ASC program for free. It’s a live, 12-day online training program, led by instructors, that participants can complete from anywhere. You’ll understand safety and best practices for protecting workers and preventing hazardous work conditions.
Scholarship winners received free registration and travel accommodations with access to technical sessions, keynote addresses, multiple networking events, and the Expo, which draws more than 1,000 exhibitors.
Senior Chief Electrician’s Mate and now an Advanced Journeyman Marine Safety Specialist, Mark Amero has built a 20+ year career advancing safety at sea and ashore. From cutter operations and propulsion systems to vessel inspections and environmental crime prosecution, his leadership has helped shape Coast Guard policy and practice. Mark brings technical mastery, strategic insight and a passion for protecting people and ecosystems, alike.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Mark is working to strengthen organizational buy-in to safety at all levels. He sees how daily risk-taking — often rationalized or unrecognized — can accumulate into serious hazards. His goal is to use prevention-through-design strategies and robust training systems to empower workers to recognize risks, implement controls and say “stop” before harm occurs.
Robert Amsler is a Navy veteran and former combat medic with a 30-year career spanning military service, emergency response and leadership in environmental health and safety. He currently serves as a senior project manager at GE Aerospace, where he drives continuous improvement in operations and safety systems.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Robert is committed to bridging the gap between technical safety protocols and psychological safety. He champions environments where employees feel safe to speak up, report issues and take ownership of workplace wellbeing, integrating emotional and behavioral factors into traditional EHS frameworks.
Ryan Andersen brings over 23 years of emergency management and crisis leadership to his safety work. A U.S. Coast Guard veteran and former CBRNE responder, he has led incident response efforts from Deepwater Horizon to EPA Superfund sites. During the 2020 Oregon wildfires, Ryan served as both planning section chief and safety officer, successfully shifting the safety culture and achieving zero incident rates. He currently supports the American Red Cross and is pursuing a dual master’s in homeland security and emergency management.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Ryan’s leadership during the Oregon wildfire recovery highlights his success in rebuilding safety culture through collaboration, trust and operational alignment, turning a struggling safety record into a model of resilience.
With over 20 years of military leadership in logistics, construction and training, James Baynard brings operational excellence and a steadfast commitment to safety to every mission. A Bronze Star Medal recipient and former senior operations manager, James has led multimillion-dollar projects, trained future Army officers and developed standard operating procedures adopted across his organization. His leadership is defined by discipline, strategic insight and a deep sense of responsibility.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
James is passionate about confronting complacency in safety. After a severe personal accident and years of military experience, he advocates for training that highlights the human cost of cutting corners — ensuring everyone returns home safely to those who depend on them.
After serving 20 years in the U.S. Navy, Damien Benton transitioned to a leadership role at Campbell’s Soup, where he now serves as maintenance manager with added safety responsibilities. His background in lockout/tagout, confined space and fall protection has made him an advocate for hands-on compliance and operational safety.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Damien is working to improve proper lockout/tagout procedures within his facility — a critical issue in manufacturing environments. His goal is to strengthen safety protocols while offering full support to his plant’s safety team.
A former Fleet Marine Force Corpsman, Adam Birchfield now serves as a dedicated Safety Specialist with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the Louisville District. With deep expertise in construction safety and the CESOHMS certification process, Adam is also a Certified Safety Professional and Construction Safety & Health Technician. Recognized as part of the Corps’ Quality Team of the Year, he brings technical rigor and ethical leadership to every project he supports.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Adam is focused on shifting workplace culture where production often overshadows safety. He champions education, collaboration and leadership to align operational goals with robust safety practices, ensuring that safety is never sacrificed in pursuit of results.
A former Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician, Ronald Bruce has over 20 years of combined military and civilian safety experience. Now serving as a regional environmental health and safety specialist at Hydromax USA, he leads safety training, root cause investigations and compliance audits across multiple western states. Ronald is also a certified instructor in confined space, LOTO, CPR/AED and hazardous materials, and he holds OSHA 10, 30, and 510 certifications.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Ronald is passionate about addressing suicide prevention among construction workers and military veterans — two high-risk groups often overlooked despite their service. He advocates for mental health support as an essential pillar of workplace safety.
Ray Chandler is a safety coordinator at HAECO Americas with a strong background in aviation safety and military healthcare. A former Army Combat Medic, he brings hands-on experience in OSHA compliance, hazardous materials, and injury prevention. His civilian credentials include HAZWOPER, EMT-B, OSHA 510, and BAT/urine drug testing certifications, along with extensive instructor-level training. Currently serving in the Army Reserve, Ray continues to apply his leadership and medical expertise to ensure safe, compliant environments in the aviation industry.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Ray led a successful initiative to improve PPE compliance in a humid, high-risk Florida environment, raising usage from nearly 0% to 96% in six months. His hands-on approach to equipment selection and team involvement was key to this transformation.
Technical Sergeant James H. Coates Jr. is a 13-year U.S. Army veteran currently serving in the Delaware Air National Guard as an Airfield Management Operations Coordinator with the 166th Airlift Wing. With a dual background in Army aviation and air traffic control, James has held leadership roles in emergency response, logistics and homeland defense. In his civilian capacity, he serves as a safety and occupational health specialist for the U.S. Army at Aberdeen Proving Ground. He holds a bachelor’s in applied science and technology in air traffic control and a U.S. Army certificate in emergency management.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
James is focused on cultivating safety ownership across entire organizations — not just among safety professionals. His goal is to spark engagement at every level, fostering a workplace where employees feel empowered to contribute ideas, raise concerns and make safety a shared mission.
Gunnery Sergeant Brandyn Colton is a safety professional with over 18 years of experience in the U.S. Marine Corps and the private sector. He currently serves as a ground safety manager and environmental compliance coordinator, overseeing safety programs, risk assessments and environmental protocols. Brandyn also works as an EHS specialist in manufacturing, managing regulatory compliance and hazard prevention. He holds certifications in OSHA General Industry and Construction Safety, HAZWOPER, and is pursuing the MESH credential to further his leadership in the safety field.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Brandyn is focused on improving hazard communication — especially around high-risk exposures like lead and silica dust. By enhancing training, inspections and real-time monitoring, he aims to shift safety from a compliance task to an embedded culture of awareness and prevention.
Owen Elder served eight years in the U.S. Army and now works as an environment, health and safety representative for Progress Rail in Sidney, Nebraska. Drawing from military training rooted in precision, preparedness and accountability, Owen is passionate about protecting workers and creating a strong culture of safety in manufacturing. He is especially focused on safety education and ensuring new hires are equipped from day one.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Owen is addressing the challenge of workplace attitudes toward safety protocols and PPE use. His goal is to lead by example, modeling compliance and professionalism while creating a culture where safety is seen not as a burden, but as a shared commitment to one another.
Chief Master Sergeant Danishon Felder serves as the Safety Career Field Enlisted Manager for the Air Force Reserve Command, where he oversees the training, mentoring and development of safety professionals across the U.S. Air Force Reserve. With nearly three decades of service, including deployment to Afghanistan and prior roles in clinical health and safety management, CMS Felder brings a strategic, people-focused approach to building effective safety systems across the Department of Defense. He holds multiple degrees, including an MBA and certifications in occupational safety, and is a recognized leader in professional development.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Danishon is focused on advancing beyond traditional “check-the-box” safety by integrating human and organizational performance (HOP) principles into training and leadership development. He champions continuous education, mentorship and modernized safety management systems to better prepare professionals for evolving risks and systemic challenges.
A U.S. Army veteran, Cristina Franco brings over six years of Environmental Health and Safety leadership to the manufacturing and agriculture sectors. Now a Certified Safety Professional, she is known for her expertise in hazard analysis, risk management and regulatory compliance. A speaker at the 2024 AgSafe conference, Cristina is passionate about building safer workplaces and giving back to her community.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Cristina is driven to change workplace safety culture — especially in environments where “just get it done” has long overshadowed safety. Inspired by her own parents’ work in agriculture and dairy, she believes lasting change comes through time, education and collaboration.
A U.S. Navy Seabee veteran with over 30 years of experience in public works, David Gilbert has led construction and maintenance projects in water distribution and wastewater systems across multiple Ohio communities. Now focused on mentoring the next generation of public works professionals, David brings practical knowledge, hands-on leadership and a passion for improving workplace safety.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
David is working to change perceptions around safety as a “burden.” His goal is to make safety as automatic and intuitive as buckling a seatbelt — an integrated habit, not an extra step. He champions a culture where safety is second nature for every worker on every task.
Retired Master Sergeant Steven Hall served as Superintendent of the 412th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron at Edwards AFB, overseeing occupational health, industrial hygiene and preventive safety across hundreds of units and facilities. With decades of experience spanning fire protection, bioenvironmental engineering, public health and emergency response, Steven has led safety operations across the U.S., Portugal and the Middle East. He holds multiple degrees and certifications and is widely recognized for his leadership and instruction.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Steven is focused on overcoming resistance to change in safety systems. He emphasizes the importance of strong communication, empathy and trust to understand root causes of resistance and guide teams toward shared compliance. By fostering feedback loops and empowering employees, Steven aims to build adaptive systems that elevate safety awareness and results across complex organizations.
Michael Hardy is a seasoned Safety Advisor with extensive experience in emergency management and occupational safety. After serving in the U.S. Air Force in logistics and emergency response, Michael transitioned to the private sector, where he now leads high-risk safety operations at Ponder Environmental. From confined space entry to hazmat and hydroblasting, Michael has a reputation for hands-on leadership and a passion for mentoring others. He is currently completing a bachelor’s in occupational safety and health at Columbia Southern University with plans to pursue a doctorate.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Michael is working to foster a proactive safety culture where all employees take ownership of risk management. Through scenario-based training, clearer communication and employee engagement programs, he strives to make safety a shared value — not just a compliance task.
First Sergeant Derick Hicks has served across the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army for over 25 years, including multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. With deep operational and instructional experience, he now serves as safety officer for the H/T/L Areas at the Savannah River Site. Derick is a decorated leader, drill sergeant and operations expert committed to strengthening institutional safety practices.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Derick is working to eliminate the mindset that safety is only important when leadership is watching. He advocates for a safety culture that is embraced at all levels and reinforced through education, trust and personal accountability — not just compliance.
Don Hoover is a retired First Sergeant with a distinguished career leading combat engineering missions across Iraq, Afghanistan and Europe. Since retiring from the Army, he has served in senior safety and operations roles across telecom, logistics and retail, currently as a facilities manager at Ace Hardware. Don holds an MBA, CSP certification and a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Don is focused on helping operations leaders reconcile safety with lean thinking. By showing how injury prevention reduces downtime and waste, he builds partnerships that make safety a strategic advantage, not just a cost center.
An Air Force veteran with a distinguished background in military healthcare, Dawn Ivey-Cochran brings a unique perspective to the field of occupational safety and health. Now serving as a safety professional at Marine Corps Base Quantico, she applies her global experience in clinical operations, humanitarian missions and risk management to protect the health and safety of personnel in high-risk environments. With advanced degrees in health sciences and public health, Dawn is known for her calm leadership, advocacy for veterans and commitment to continuous improvement.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Dawn is focused on standardizing safety protocols across Quantico’s diverse operations, from live-fire ranges to daily base logistics. With frequent personnel rotation and complex mission demands, she aims to strengthen consistency in training, improve communication and introduce tech-enabled tools that enhance situational awareness and reduce preventable risks across all units.
With over 18 years of experience in construction safety, risk management and training, Jashawn “Jay” Jones brings both technical expertise and leadership to the field. A former Navy Damage Controlman and Fire Marshal, Jay now leads Jones Consulting Services, where he empowers organizations across industries to build proactive, people-centered safety programs. Though physical limitations shifted him away from fieldwork, Jay remains deeply committed to saving lives through education, consultation and cultural transformation.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Jay is focused on reshaping how organizations view safety, not as a compliance checkbox but as a core business value. He works to embed safety into every decision and action, encouraging leadership and frontline teams alike to prioritize people over process and prevent harm before it occurs.
Steven Earl Johnson brings over 13 years of experience as an environmental health and safety leader, currently serving as director of EHS for NVE, a government contractor supporting U.S. Department of State facilities. A U.S. Army veteran, Steven has guided organizations through complex safety landscapes, bridging compliance, culture and operational efficiency.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Steven is focused on advancing proactive safety engagement across decentralized and highly regulated environments. As his company transitioned from small business to large-scale operations, he developed innovative strategies to improve employee engagement, streamline communication and embed safety into daily operations. His goal is to build scalable, sustainable safety systems that align with growth while safeguarding mission-critical operations.
A retired Coast Guard veteran with over 20 years of service, Michael Martin is now safety and quality manager at Gulfstream Steel and Supply. His military background includes high-risk training instruction, search and rescue leadership, and operational security across multiple deployments. Since entering the private sector, Michael has brought the same rigor and compassion to construction safety, ensuring teams are trained, protected and supported. He’s also a committed family man, community volunteer and advocate for neurodiversity.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Michael is addressing the challenge of complacency, especially among younger or highly experienced workers who feel immune to risk. He’s developing more impactful employee orientation programs, using toolbox talks and focused training to shift mindsets and embed safety from day one.
With more than two decades of service in the U.S. Navy’s nuclear program, Brian Miller brings deep technical knowledge and leadership experience to the safety field. He currently serves as the safety and occupational health program manager at Naval Reactors and holds a bachelor of applied science in nuclear engineering technology. As he prepares to retire in 2026, Brian is transitioning into civilian safety leadership with a focus on compliance, training and continuous improvement.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Brian is focused on improving how changes in safety regulations and best practices are communicated. His goal is to ensure training materials, inspections and auditing processes stay current, leading to stronger compliance and safer work environments.
Senior Master Sergeant Chance Miller is a 25-year U.S. Air Force veteran currently serving as the occupational safety manager for the 307th Bomb Wing at Barksdale Air Force Base. He oversees safety programs for over 1,400 personnel across 14 units, including flying operations and remote bombing ranges. Chance began his career in security forces before transitioning into bioenvironmental engineering and occupational safety. He holds multiple associate degrees in safety, criminal justice and bioenvironmental engineering, and has deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and others.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Chance is addressing employee complacency and disengagement around safety protocols. By developing stronger training, recognition systems and communication strategies, he aims to build a culture where safety is embraced daily, not just when a supervisor is present.
A former Marine Corps Infantryman, Henry Miranda now serves as the environmental, health & safety director at Kana Pipeline, one of Southern California’s leading wet-utility contractors. With more than a decade in the military and additional experience in the petrochemical and nuclear power sectors, Henry has trained thousands of workers and reduced Kana’s EMR by 62%. He is a bilingual CHST-accredited safety leader recognized for driving down incident rates and establishing strategic partnerships with Cal/OSHA to earn nine Golden Gate Awards.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Henry is navigating the personal and professional challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life. He is focused on building safety leadership skills through continued education to boost his confidence and performance, both to serve his workforce and give back to the veteran community.
Anthony Mitchell is a seasoned safety professional with over two decades of experience in corporate safety and facilities management. He currently leads safety operations across the U.S. and Canada for Cushman & Wakefield’s Ericsson account, ensuring compliance and consistency across factories, warehouses and office spaces. His background includes key roles at Starbucks, Leggett & Platt and ACE Hardware, where he helped launch robotics systems and international retail operations.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Anthony advocates for stronger, standardized training requirements, particularly in areas like lockout/tagout. He believes mandatory, recurring training is essential to building a culture of safety that protects employees and strengthens organizational readiness.
A retired Senior Chief Navy Counselor, Dena Mouser now serves as the environmental health and safety manager at Turner Construction’s Procter & Gamble facility in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. With nearly three decades of military and civilian leadership, she brings unmatched resilience, operational insight and technical safety knowledge to her work. Dena holds multiple OSHA certifications and is a Certified Health and Safety Technician through BCSP.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Dena is focused on breaking down gender barriers in construction safety. As the only woman on a job site with up to 150 men, she has earned respect through leadership and results. She’s committed to continuing her growth so she can lead by example and improve the safety and wellbeing of every worker she supports.
An Army veteran with 11 years of service, Julie Naillon previously served as a safety officer and holds a degree in occupational safety and health. Now self-employed and considering a transition back into the safety field, Julie sees continuing education as key to staying current with the latest safety developments.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Julie is focused on improving fire and motor vehicle safety — two areas where she’s seen near misses and been involved in accident investigations. She believes that refreshing and expanding her knowledge will position her to contribute meaningfully in the next phase of her safety career.
Chad Nelson served 10 years in the U.S. Navy and now works in the manufacturing industry at TO Plastics, where he recently took on safety responsibilities. With certifications in OSHA 30, forklift and aerial lift training, and confined space safety, Chad is committed to protecting his team by building a strong safety culture from the ground up. His military experience instilled a deep sense of service, which now drives his dedication to employee wellbeing.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Chad is focused on improving his understanding of OSHA regulations and learning how to better motivate employees to embrace safety culture — helping them see change not as a disruption, but as an opportunity to stay safe and thrive.
A dual-service veteran, Lt. Col. Raymond Ng began his safety career as a U.S. Marine Corps safety manager and now continues his impact in the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Currently a full-time student at Air War College, he is pursuing a master of strategic studies focused on leadership and joint warfighting. Raymond has held safety roles with Miami-Dade County, Orange County and Amazon, and is a past NSC Rising Stars of Safety honoree.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Raymond is passionate about transforming safety and health training through immersive learning. Concerned by ineffective, lecture-heavy methods, he advocates for augmented and virtual reality to boost engagement, retention and safety outcomes across workplaces.
Vivian Ngo is a safety and occupational health specialist at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Tibor Rubin Hospital, where she oversees OSHA recordkeeping, construction safety and emergency preparedness for over 3,000 personnel. A U.S. Army veteran and former ammunition specialist, Vivian brings deep experience in healthcare compliance, hazard identification and regulatory inspections. She is also pursuing a master’s in data science and business analytics, applying data-driven insights to improve injury prevention and patient safety.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Vivian is focused on reducing employee complacency in high-risk environments. She advocates for engaging, scenario-based safety education that reinforces shared responsibility and keeps safety top-of-mind across all levels of an organization.
A U.S. Air Force veteran, Erica Norton now serves as safety manager at Durable Surfaces, where she brings energy and expertise to every site audit, training session and team interaction. Her military experience in air transportation and logistics sparked her dedication to safety, and she continues to build on that foundation with dual studies in operations management and occupational safety and health. With multiple safety certifications and a hands-on leadership style, Erica is committed to protecting workers both physically and mentally.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Erica is focused on improving ergonomic safety in labor-intensive environments. From loading 40,000-pound cargo with too few personnel in the military to addressing floor-level strain in concrete repair, she knows firsthand the risks of overexertion. She works daily to embed safe lifting practices and create a culture where team members see safety as essential — not optional.
Jose Orellana is a seasoned safety professional with 16 years of experience in occupational safety and health. A U.S. Navy veteran and former aviation machinist mate, he is now a bilingual safety manager known for developing programs that reduce risk and enhance wellbeing across diverse worksites. Jose holds OSHA 500 and 501 credentials, is a certified First Aid/CPR/AED trainer and earned his degree in occupational safety and health from Columbia Southern University.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Jose is focused on shifting organizations from reactive to proactive safety cultures. He addresses resistance to change through education, leadership engagement and consistent communication, demonstrating that safety investments yield long-term value in productivity, morale and incident prevention.
Chase Payne is an electronics technician and safety professional with experience in both military and civilian technical environments. He currently serves as an electronic measurement equipment mechanic at Tinker Air Force Base and previously held safety roles within the Oklahoma National Guard. Chase brings a detail-oriented mindset to every role, emphasizing the importance of proactive risk management in high-tech, high-stakes settings. Chase is currently serving in the Oklahoma Army National Guard.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Chase is focused on bridging the gap between technical expertise and situational safety awareness. He advocates for interactive, scenario-based training that fosters real-time hazard recognition and helps teams internalize safety as second nature.
Edward Rahming is a logistics and safety professional with over 21 years of service in the U.S. Army. A seasoned leader in supply chain and warehouse management, Edward has overseen global logistics operations valued in the billions. His post-military roles include supervising government contractors, managing Army ERP systems and leading warehouse operations supporting major commands. He holds a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, a Demonstrated Master Logistician credential and is completing a master’s in leadership and organizational development.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Edward is focused on helping organizations strike a better balance between operational efficiency and adherence to safety protocols. His goal is to develop enforceable, practical safety systems that ensure mission success never comes at the cost of employee wellbeing.
U.S. Marine Corps veteran Matt Reardon brings decades of leadership to his role as project director at Adirondack Studios. With a career spanning themed entertainment, project management and operational consulting worldwide, Matt now oversees large-scale installations while managing jobsite safety plans and compliance. His background also includes military signals intelligence and training roles during Operation Desert Storm. Passionate about service, Matt also volunteers with a pet food pantry and teaches self-defense classes for youth.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Matt is focused on standardizing safety plans across complex and variable jobsite environments. He aims to improve how risks are assessed and safety protocols are implemented consistently, ensuring all workers understand and apply those plans regardless of location or scope.
Amanda Sayles brings eight years of experience as a safety professional, shaped by her service in the Air National Guard. Her military background in emergency response coordination, risk mitigation and leadership under pressure has given her a strong foundation in operational safety. Known for her commitment to standards and proactive planning, Amanda is passionate about fostering a culture of safety that holds strong even in high-stress environments. She is pursuing the NSC Advanced Safety Certificate to strengthen her leadership in safety and gain national recognition for her expertise.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Amanda is focused on improving compliance with safety protocols across diverse teams — especially in fast-paced or high-pressure settings. She aims to bridge gaps in consistency and reinforce clear, effective safety standards organization-wide.
Dylan Schneider is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and safety and training specialist at Desert Water Agency in Palm Springs, California. With a background in military leadership, emergency response and public safety, Dylan brings over a decade of experience to his role. He holds a B.S. in occupational health and safety from Columbia Southern University and is passionate about building strong safety cultures through hands-on training and open communication.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Dylan is focused on shifting safety culture from compliance to commitment. He works to make safety personal and engaging for all team members, empowering them to take ownership, speak up and view safety as a shared responsibility across the organization.
A Navy veteran and human resources and safety manager at Superior Tube Products, Dana Schultz leads with collaboration and innovation to create safer workplaces every day. Backed by an MBA from Mount Mercy University, Dana introduced an electronic safety reporting system and early intervention program that resulted in a 98% reduction in workers' compensation costs. She believes in empowering employees at every level to take ownership of safety as part of daily operations.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Dana is focused on improving her team’s ability to identify and classify hazards and evaluate acceptable risk. By advancing hazard recognition and critical thinking, she aims to elevate safety awareness and decision-making across the organization.
A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former educator, Joe Smith now serves as the safety trainer and CDL examiner for Brevard County Public Works. In just over a year, he has stepped into the role of acting safety coordinator, applying his passion for continuous learning and commitment to public service to build a safer environment for county employees. With a bachelor’s degree in education and a hands-on leadership style, Joe is laying the groundwork for a lasting culture of safety.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Joe is focused on establishing foundational safety programs across his organization. From fall protection to electrical safety, his goal is to implement consistent, well-defined policies that empower a willing team and protect workers in every area of operations.
After aging out of foster care, Sharon Stukalo launched her career in the Marine Corps as an aviation electrician. Following multiple deployments, she pursued electrical apprenticeship training, earned a bachelor’s in sustainable building science, and later a master of construction management from the University of Washington. Sharon is now a traveling safety consultant on renewable energy and substation projects, blending field expertise with academic rigor to lead on-site safety programs.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Sharon’s firsthand experience managing a severe heat casualty incident inspired her commitment to heat safety protocols. She advocates for proactive site planning, medical readiness and worker awareness during extreme weather conditions.
After seven years of military service, Autumn Surillo now works in the construction industry, where safety responsibilities were recently added to her role at Structis. Her background in military leadership, logistics and risk management has sharpened her decision-making, adaptability and commitment to proactive safety. With a growing passion for workplace safety, she is pursuing additional training to become a more effective leader and advocate for her team.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Autumn is focused on improving fall prevention protocols after witnessing a serious onsite incident involving an employee who fell one story and broke both wrists. Motivated by this event — and by a childhood experience where her grandfather was severely injured in a forklift accident — she is committed to strengthening safety processes that protect workers before accidents happen.
Sergeant First Class Jalyn Todd serves as the Brigade Safety Manager for the U.S. Army’s 1st Theater Sustainment Command, overseeing safety programs for more than 2,200 deployed soldiers. She also supports the Nevada Army National Guard as a safety specialist, offering training and guidance statewide. With over a decade of experience, Jalyn brings expertise in hazard identification, risk assessment, incident investigation and emergency response. She is currently pursuing a degree in communications and continuing her safety education through the NSC Advanced Safety Certificate program.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Jalyn is focused on improving large-scale military safety programs by strengthening risk assessments, enhancing training and increasing cross-unit communication. Her goal is to reduce mishaps and foster a proactive safety culture across complex and dynamic operational environments.
Austin Travis served six years in the Tennessee Army National Guard as a UH-60 Black Hawk mechanic, where safety was central to every task. Now an environmental health and safety coordinator in the manufacturing industry, Austin brings a disciplined, aviation-informed mindset to workplace safety. He is committed to continuous learning and professional development to better protect his team and strengthen his company’s safety culture.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Austin is focused on building and sustaining a positive safety culture rooted in trust, communication and team relationships. He believes the foundation of any effective safety system starts with empowering employees to speak up and feel valued in creating a safe work environment.
Kristine Turley is a former paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division who now serves as a health and safety professional at Larson Design Group. Her military training sharpened her attention to detail and mission focus, skills she brings to her work in risk reduction and safety communication across technical teams.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Kristine is committed to building a true safety culture — not just checking boxes. As a key contributor to her organization’s health and safety efforts, she is helping to shift mindsets and lead a culture of continuous safety improvement.
A U.S. Coast Guard veteran and nationally recognized safety leader, Andrew Williams has dedicated nearly four decades to defensive driving and traffic safety education. A master trainer for the National Safety Council, Andrew holds certifications in 16 programs and leads the Tennessee Regional Safety Council. His work spans law enforcement, transportation and workplace safety, earning him recognition as an Outstanding Tennessean for his highway safety contributions.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Andrew is focused on reducing accidents caused by human error — particularly lapses in attention and decision-making under pressure. He champions immersive training and automation to build situational awareness and create a culture where safety becomes instinctive.
With over 25 years of experience and a career that began in the U.S. Air Force, Jesse Williams is a seasoned safety leader known for transforming compliance and building high-performing teams. As the first full-time safety manager for a rapidly growing U.S.-based company, Jesse oversees safety across 22 locations and nearly 400 employees. His strategic approach has elevated compliance from 67% to 98%, modernized safety systems and positioned safety as a core value during company expansion.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Jesse is focused on leading change management across a diverse, multigenerational and multicultural workforce. By fostering engagement, adapting communication and aligning global perspectives into a unified safety culture, he is building systems where safety is embraced across all backgrounds and roles.
Brian Wilson is a seasoned safety and security leader with global experience in military operations and corporate risk management. A former Marine who completed two combat tours in Afghanistan, Brian later led international safety and crisis response initiatives for Fiserv, overseeing programs for more than 40,000 employees. With advanced degrees in homeland security and emergency management, he is committed to building safety-first cultures across complex, multinational organizations.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
Brian is focused on bridging the gap between policy and practice in large, decentralized organizations. He aims to enhance safety culture through clearer communication, hands-on training and regionally tailored initiatives that embed safety into everyday operations.
With 21 years of military service, including time as an instructor at the Air Force Police Academy, James Wooding brings a deep understanding of leadership, behavior-based safety and emergency response to his civilian role at Jordan’s Furniture. His experience in law enforcement, instruction and operational risk management informs his people-first approach to workplace safety and organizational culture.
Tackling a Critical Safety Challenge
James is focused on helping organizational leaders recognize the impact of human behavior on safety outcomes. While many are skilled at correcting physical hazards, James aims to integrate behavioral safety into operations, ensuring safety becomes a core part of how businesses function, not a standalone initiative.
There are no items in your cart