Jennifer McNelly

Chief Executive Officer,
America Society of Safety Professionals

Jennifer M. McNelly, CAE, serves as ASSP’s Chief Executive Officer. McNelly brings more than 35 years of association, government, regulatory, and business experience. She advances the organization’s mission to help its members and their employers create safe work environments worldwide through the prevention of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. She works with the Board of Directors and ASSP’s professional staff to execute ASSP’s strategic plan for growth while addressing the evolving needs of 36,000 safety and health professionals around the globe.

Tom Kerschner

Business Development Manager,
America Society of Safety Professionals

Tom Kerschner has over 30 years of experience leading organizational change and professional development. He supports ASSP’s standards implementions, and manages strategy to serve leadership at large employers with Occupational Safety & Health (OSH) professionals. Tom manages group conference participation and membership, onsite training programs, standards leasing, Executive Safety Forum, Sponsorship, and Recruiting safety talent for employers. 

Amy Timmerman

Instructional Assistant Professor,
Illinois State University

Amy Timmerman, MS, CSP has over 25 years of safety, health, and environmental experience. She is an Instructional Assistant Professor at Illinois State University. She has held safety leadership positions for global companies like GE, Siemens, and Stryker. She successfully improved organizations’ EHS performance, focusing on reducing risk, increasing shareholder value, and improving performance through the establishment of best-in-class management systems. She is chair of the Z10 Occupational Health & Safety Management Systems standard and a member of the leadership team for the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to ISO Project Committee 283 that publishes ISO 45001.

Dr. Matt Law

Director, Work to Zero,
National Safety Council

Dr. Matt Law is a researcher, business strategist, and acclaimed author and speaker. He currently leads the Work to Zero program at the National Safety Council, which seeks to eliminate workplace fatalities by 2050 using innovative safety technologies. He is also the host of “Prove It To Me”, a podcast which reviews occupational health and safety research in an effort to provide practitioners with a grounded perspective on published research, its impact to practice, and actionable takeaways. Matt is an Adjunct Professor in the Advanced Safety Engineering and Management graduate program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, covering emerging trends in safety engineering and system safety, and he serves as an Environmental Health Officer in the US Navy Reserve.

Damilola Jaiyeoba

VP, Head of Procurement, Technology & Operations,
Cushman & Wakefield

VP & Head of Procurement Technology & Operations, Cushman & Wakefield A transformational global procurement executive, Damilola Jaiyeoba, brings over 20 years of experience driving strategy, innovation, and operational excellence across Fortune 500 organizations. As Vice President of Procurement at Cushman & Wakefield, she has built high-performing teams, led the implementation of cutting-edge procurement technologies, and delivered impactful cost optimization and risk management initiatives on a global scale. Damilola’s leadership is defined by a collaborative, data-driven approach and a commitment to elevating organizational performance.

Prior to Cushman & Wakefield, Damilola held senior roles at Bank of America, Deloitte, KPMG, and Marriott International, where she spearheaded major change management, audit, and process improvement projects. Her expertise spans category management, supply chain transformation, technology enablement, and executive stakeholder engagement.

Damilola serves on the boards of Old Colony YMCA and BOW Collective, and is an active member of Chief and the Greater Boston Bankers Association. She holds a Master’s degree in Management from Harvard University and a Bachelor’s in Accounting from the University of Maryland, and is a certified PMP, CISA, and Certified Government Financial Manager.

Recognized for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence, Damilola continues to champion innovation, inclusion, and sustainable impact in the procurement profession.

Kenyon Brenish

Senior Managing Director - EHS,
Cushman & Wakefield

Engaging, versatile EHS Executive with 25+ years of success developing people, platforms, and partners to deliver integrated EHS solutions and operational excellence. He supports multinational organizations and client accounts for Cushman & Wakefield. As Senior Managing Director for the Global Occupier Services EHS group, Kenyon oversees the strategic development of the EHS Platform and corporate governance. Under Kenyon’s leadership, Global Occupier Services was recognized as one of America’s Safest Companies by EHS Today.

Sean Wurster

Vice President, Health, Safety & Environment,
GDI Ainsworth

Sean Wurster serves as Vice President of Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) at Ainsworth, bringing over 25 years of experience across multiple industries. He leads HSE strategy and supports operations across North America, with a focus on aligning safety, quality, and business performance. Sean is recognized for his practical, data-driven approach and his ability to build strong systems and processes that enable safe, consistent, and high-performing operations.

Katie Dolan

Manager, Health and Safety Programs & Support Services,
GDI Ainsworth

Katie Dolan is a senior HSE and risk management leader who provides strategic oversight for organization‑wide health and safety programs across complex operations. She is known for her systems‑driven, collaborative approach to risk management and her focus on enabling safe, compliant, and ready‑to‑work environments at scale

Brent Taylor

President,
D.C. Taylor Co.

Brent Taylor is President of D. C. Taylor Co., a third-generation Cedar Rapids, IA-based roofing company where he began installing roofing in Iowa and California during college summers. A former Coe College football player, Brent learned early that every great team starts with trust, effort, and looking out for one another. Today, he brings that same mindset to building a safety-first culture that keeps people proud of their craft and excited to come to work. He has also served with the Center for Environmental Innovation in Roofing, several trade manufacturer advisory groups, and as the Corporate Development Chair for Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF).

Kirk Dighton

Safety Manager,
D.C. Taylor Co.

Kirk Dighton has served as Safety Manager for D. C. Taylor Co. since 2017 and holds a Master of Science in Occupational Health and Safety from Columbia Southern University. A retired paramedic in Iowa, he brings a diverse background across emergency medicine, construction, general industry, agriculture, and the wind energy sector. Kirk is a competent person instructor in fall protection and an authorized OSHA instructor for 10- and 30-hour general industry and construction courses. In addition to his role at D. C. Taylor Co., he serves as an instructor for multiple community colleges, an authorized OSHA Training Institute trainer, and is the owner of Imperial Safety Solutions LLC. He is known for his strong track record of safety success and his passion for protecting people and building a culture of safety.

Victor Lopez

Owner,
Heat Shock 2

Victor “CoachVic” Lopez is the founder and owner of Heat Shock 2 LLC, a Connecticut-based HVAC and facilities services company supporting major national clients, including Amazon logistics facilities across the Northeast. A U.S. Army veteran and former professional running back in Europe, Victor has built a reputation over nearly three decades for discipline, leadership, and operational excellence. After learning HVAC during his military service, he launched Heat Shock and grew it into a trusted contractor known for safety, responsiveness, and high-performance standards. In addition to leading his company, Victor serves as Running Backs Coach at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, Connecticut. His journey from small-town Texas football to military service and entrepreneurship reflects the philosophy he brings to both business and coaching: run the ball, do the work, and earn trust every day.

Billy Parker

Owner,
Lending Hand LLC

Billy Parker is a SAFETY ADVOCATE who has a passion for saving limbs and lives.

Billy has 20+ years experience in the welding and fabrication trade. He has participated in and applied OSHA SAFETY STANDARDS from Confined Space to Lockout–Tagout.

Billy is a member of a group called “Moving Forward Limb Loss Support Group” and is a (Certified Peer Visitor) CPV with the Amputee Coalition, bringing together amputees and their care givers. He also volunteers as a personal assistant showing other amputees how to use their new prosthesis and a recipient of a 2018 Comp Laude award for Injured Worker.

One day while cleaning out a machine (a drywall shredder) while it was running he was caught and was being pulled into the machine.

Now Billy’s mission is to bring SAFETY AWARENESS to the workplace. He wants to share a story about the mistakes made that January morning and how losing his arms has changed the way he lives and feels about life.

Through personal stories, humor and real life situations Billy can make sure your employees will remember the “WHY” behind SAFE WORK PROCEDURES.

Daniel Garstang

Partner,
BG Road Safety

Daniel Garstang is a Partner at BG Road Safety and an internationally recognized leader in corporate risk management and road safety. He began his career in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, following 14 years of operational policing with the Western Australian Police Force. Over his career, he has supported major global energy and service companies including Schlumberger, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Chevron, Shell, BP, and Hess. As one of the inaugural QHSE consultants within the Schlumberger Business Consulting Group, he helped develop management systems and early human and organizational performance solutions. In 2007, he relocated to Houston with Hess Corporation to establish its global transportation program, later advancing to Global Lead for Onshore Environment, Health, Safety, and Social Responsibility.

Daniel has played a key leadership role across the industry, chairing the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP) Land Transportation Committee and contributing to the development of ISO 39001. A recognized safety leader, he has received multiple corporate and international awards, including authoring three Prince Michael International Road Safety Awards. He specializes in reducing health and safety risk exposure through data-driven strategies and has maintained an exceptional record of zero fatalities under his operational management through consistent safety leadership and effective controls.

Dean Aravidis

Senior Manager,
BG Road Safety

Dean Aravidis is the Chief Executive Officer of BG Road Safety, bringing more than 30 years of experience in road transportation safety across law enforcement, corporate environments, and international consulting. A former Police officer with extensive crash investigation experience, he has since led global safety initiatives for major organisations in mining, oil and gas, and logistics, delivering driver training, leading serious incident investigations, and advising on large-scale projects across Australia, North America, Africa, Central Asia, and the Middle East. As CEO, he drives a practical, performance-focused approach that combines field verification, behavioural analysis, and telematics data to ensure safety systems are not just compliant on paper but effective in real-world operations.

Amanda Johnson

Safety Program Supervisor,
Joe W. Fly Co

Amanda Johnson is the Safety Program Supervisor at Joe W. Fly Co., where she leads enterprise-wide safety initiatives focused on operational performance, risk reduction, and regulatory compliance. She is responsible for designing and executing scalable safety programs that align field operations with corporate standards while maintaining practicality at the point of work.

Amanda partners cross-functionally with operations, risk management, and leadership teams to drive accountability, standardize processes, and elevate safety performance across multiple locations. Her work integrates data-driven insights, contractor management strategies, and compliance alignment with industry platforms such as Avetta to strengthen organizational visibility and control.

Known for translating complex requirements into actionable systems, Amanda has played a key role in advancing a proactive safety culture—one that prioritizes engagement, ownership, and continuous improvement. Her leadership supports long-term organizational resilience by embedding safety as a core operational discipline rather than a standalone function.

Elton Hollis

Vice President,
RT Technical

Elton A. Hollis, III is a standout leader in the Gulf Coast industrial community—an entrepreneur, mentor, and problem‑solver with more than 28 years of hands‑on experience in the Oil and Gas Construction sector. As the owner of Hol‑Tech Resources, LLC, he provides safety, quality, and compliance guidance to companies across the industrial, commercial, and small‑business landscape, bringing a rare blend of technical expertise and practical wisdom. He also serves as Vice President of RT Technical Solutions LLC, helping guide one of the region’s most respected electrical and instrumentation firms. Elton’s career reflects a full-spectrum journey—from field laborer to executive—shaped by creativity, grit, and a deep commitment to helping others succeed. His impact extends into the community through workforce development partnerships, entrepreneurial mentorship, and leadership roles in regional business networks. Featured in national publications, honored with the BBB Torch Award for Ethics, and recognized among Texas’ Top 100 Entrepreneurs, Elton embodies integrity, innovation, and service—qualities that define true leadership.

Jon Bovit

VP of Ecosystem & Partners,
Graphite

Jon Bovit is a ProcureTech and supply chain resilience leader with 30+ years of expertise and a 2024 "Pro to Know" Lifetime Achievement honoree. As VP of Ecosystem and Partners at Graphite Connect, he builds the strategic alliances that help enterprises achieve radical transparency, compliance, and agility. This builds on his earlier work pioneering the Discover Platform and UFLPA Risk Solution to combat forced labor in global supply chains.

Trey Dean

SVP, Global EHS,
Vantage Data Centers

Trey Dean is a global operations and risk leader specializing in environmental health and safety (EHS) and large-scale infrastructure execution. He currently serves in a leadership role at Vantage Data Centers, where he drives safety strategy and operational excellence across high-growth, capital-intensive portfolios. With a career rooted in building and scaling safety programs from the ground up, Trey has led initiatives across construction, data centers, and facility operations, helping organizations turn risk management into a competitive advantage. He is known for integrating data-driven insights, real-time reporting, and executive-level accountability into safety cultures that perform at scale. Trey began his career teaching frontline safety practices and later founded a consulting business advising companies on developing comprehensive safety systems. He holds a master’s degree in occupational safety management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is a Certified Safety Professional, with a focus on aligning operational performance, workforce protection, and business outcomes to ensure growth never comes at the expense of people.

Brian Francis

Director of Corporate Safety,
R.F. MacDonald Co.

Jamie Huntington

Supplier Diversity & Development Manager,
Black Hills Energy

Jamie Huntington is the Manager of Supplier Diversity and Development at Black Hills Energy, where she leads enterprise‑wide contractor risk management with a strong focus on safety, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle governance. She oversees contractor prequalification, onboarding, risk mitigation, and performance oversight, ensuring contractors operate safely and compliantly in a highly regulated utility environment. With more than a decade of experience across supply chain, contracting, and procurement, Jamie is known for building resilient contractor programs that protect people, assets, and organizational integrity while enabling strong, accountable supplier partnerships. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her four adult children and five grandchildren, traveling, and exploring the outdoors in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Jennifer Feeler

Safety, Health & Environment Support Program Manager,
Sunbelt Rentals

Jennifer Feeler is the SH&E Support Program Manager at Sunbelt Rentals, where she leads and supports contractor safety, health, and environmental programs across a large, diverse supplier network. Her work focuses on strengthening third‑party risk management, ensuring alignment between contractor compliance requirements and operational safety expectations, and partnering with platforms like Avetta to drive consistent, scalable safety processes. Jennifer brings a practical, collaborative perspective to contractor engagement, data governance, and continuous improvement in complex operating environments.

Shaylee Nichols

Customer Service Trainer,
JJ Safety

Shaylee Nichols is the Customer Service Trainer at JJ Safety and has been a valued member of the team for the past 2.5 years. In her role, she supports the training and onboarding of new account managers while assisting in refining workflows and processes to help ensure efficient, consistent service for clients. Shaylee also contributes to ongoing education efforts and helps implement new systems and procedures, supporting team performance and day-to-day operations across the organization.

Jim Wetherbee

Former Astronaut,
NASA

"Naval Aviator, Test Pilot; Captain, US Navy (retired)
Former Astronaut, NASA — Pilot, STS-32; Commander, STS-52, -63, -86, -102, -113
Former Director, Flight Crew Operations, NASA
Former VP, Operating Leadership, BP Corporation North America, Inc.
Author, Controlling Risk—In A Dangerous World

With thirty-five years of experience in high-hazard operational environments, Jim is passionate about helping leaders and operators achieve critical mission objectives. He is the only astronaut to have commanded five space missions and landed the Space Shuttle five times.

Selected by NASA in 1984, Jim flew six Space Shuttle missions, including flights to Mir and the International Space Station. He later served as Director of Flight Crew Operations and Deputy Director of Johnson Space Center, focused on improving flight and ground safety.

After NASA, Jim joined BP, where he supported safety and operations, including serving on the Deepwater Horizon investigation team.

Today, Jim advises companies involved in hazardous operations and shares his expertise on leadership, safety, and risk management."