members
2008-2009 Elected Officers' Profiles
President - Dina Vazquez, Safety & Quality Plus
Dina Vazquez is the Chief Executive Officer of Safety & Quality Plus, Inc. which is a WBE & LBE Certified Safety Consulting firm based in Midtown. She has been in the safety industry for over 13 years and has owned her own company for over 5 years. As an owner Dina is involved in all phases of her business including site visits to contract negotiations. Dina is also a certified First Aid/CPR trainer. Dina’s second job is being the mother of 3 beautiful children ages 12, 7 & 4. Ms. Vazquez is an active member of the Metropolitan Chapter, including her role as newsletter editor
and website coordinator. Dina was elected as our Chapter Secretary in 2006 and Vice President in 2007. She has been instrumental in planning our Chapter social events such as the yearly boat ride, golf outing and networking events. Dina is excited about the opportunity to continue to serve our Chapter as president.
Vice President – Peter Amato, Site Safety, LLC
Peter Amato is currently part owner and Executive Vice President of Site Safety, LLC, a construction safety management firm that specializes in providing safety training, monitoring, and consulting, for high-rise construction projects in the Tri-State area. Mr. Amato has been an ASSE Metropolitan Chapter member for four years. During this time, he has attended Society conferences, communicated with members of several chapters, and most recently, represented the Metropolitan Chapter at the Society’s Professional Development Conference in Chicago. He regularly attends meetings, executive board sessions and has assisted at chapter events. Mr. Amato has also served as Chapter Liaison and Chair of Government Affairs, and currently as Chapter Secretary. Peter has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, is an OSHA Construction Outreach Trainer, and a NYC Certified Site Safety Manager.
Treasurer – David Larson, The Hartford Financial Services Group
David Larson is Assistant Director of Risk Evaluation Products for The Hartford Insurance Group, one of the nation's largest investment and insurance firms. He has 20 years of experience in the insurance safety arena, providing and managing loss control services for both casualty and property risks in a broad range of industries. Dave has been an ASSE member for over 15 years and has held the position of Chapter Treasurer for the past year. He has been an active participant in numerous Chapter initiatives including the ASP/CSP Preparation Course, networking events and securing world-class speakers for chapter technical meetings. Dave holds a BA in Economics from the SUNY Stony Brook.
Secretary – Coryn Casey, Chubb Group of Insurance Companies
Ms. Coryn Casey is a Property and Casualty Risk Engineer specializing in Environmental Liability risk management with the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies in New York City. In her current role, she works directly with the Chubb Environmental Services Underwriting group in New York City to support their growing book of environmental policies. She achieved her bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University in 2001 in Environmental Studies. She has been with Chubb Insurance since 2001. Additionally she achieved the Environmental Risk Manager designation from Texas State University in 2007. She has been active in the Metropolitan Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers since 2003 and currently serves as the Programs Committee Chair.
Assembly Delegates: Dina Vazquez and Stephanie Altis-Gurnari
ASSE Foundation
Each year at the House of Delegates Meeting held during the Professional Development Conference the Metropolitan Chapter makes a donation to the ASSE Foundation. As a tribute to the ASSE members whose lives were lost during the September 11 WTC tragedy the chapter and the ASSE Foundation has established a memorial scholarship fund. This scholarship fund will honor those who dedicated their lives to occupational safety, health and the environment.
The ASSE Foundation is accepting donations from members, chapters, regions, corporations, or any individual who would like to honor the memory of these members. To donate to this fund, simply earmark the contribution "American Responds Fund" and send it to: American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation, 1800 E. Oakton Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018, or donate online through the National ASSE website (http://www.asse.org).
Mission Statement
The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation, established by and in partnership with the American Society of Safety Engineers, generates funding and provides resources for scholarship, applied research, academic accreditation, and related academic initiatives in order to advance the safety, health, and environmental profession.
The Foundation currently supports these initiatives:
- Fostering Future Safety and Health Professionals
Award scholarships, internships and fellowships to students and faculty pursuing safety and health studies in accredited college and university degree programs.
- Conducting Applied Safety Research
Support safety and health research initiatives and publish findings that advance accident and illness prevention.
- Expanding Accreditation of Safety and Health Curriculums
Provide funding and direction to colleges and universities with safety degree programs seeking ASSE/ABET accreditation.
ASSE Foundation Educational Awards
The Metropolitan Chapter is proud to announce:
1) Ryan Kiley, occupational SH&E undergraduate at Millersville University, will receive the America Responds Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship honoring the ASSE members lost in the September 2001 attacks. This is sponsored by the Metropolitan Chapter.
2) Megan Karie, SH&E undergraduate at Oakland University will receive the Harry Taback 9/11 Memorial Scholarship also for $1,000. This scholarship is sponsored by the family of Harry Taback in his honor. Harry was a member of the Metropolitan Chapter.
3) The $1,000 ASSE Construction Safety Scholarship funded through the revenue of ASSE's comprehensive text Construction Safety Management and Engineering, will be awarded to graduate student Alix Jacob studying environmental science at Pace University in New York City, NY.
ASSE Foundation Awards Annual Safety Scholarships to 39 Students
Des Plaines, IL (April 3, 2008) - In its ongoing efforts to provide assistance to students entering the growing international field of occupational safety, health and the environment (SH&E) the American Society of Safety Engineers' (ASSE) Foundation recently announced the names of the 39 recipients of the 2008 annual SH&E scholarships funded by the continued support of corporations, ASSE Regions and Chapters, members and individuals.
The ASSE Foundation is awarding $102,280 in scholarships this year for undergraduate and graduate college students. Scholarship recipients will not only be honored during ASSE's annual Professional Development Conference (PDC) and Exposition this June in Las Vegas, NV, but some will also have their travel expenses paid for by Foundation supporters enabling them to participate in this annual professional development conference with safety professionals from more than 35 countries and with more than 200 educational sessions.
Paul E. Sullivan, Jr. is this year's recipient of the Washington Division of URS $5,000 Safety Scholarship. Sullivan is an undergraduate studying emergency management at University of Maryland University College in Adelphi, MD. This year's $3,000 Liberty Mutual Group Scholarship recipients are undergraduates Christopher R. Zerrusen studying safety management at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN and Richard Haehn studying industrial safety and risk management at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY.
The recipients of the $3,000 Bechtel Group Foundation Scholarships for Safety and Health are Nicholas Holland, graduate student studying industrial hygiene at Montana Tech of the University of Montana in Butte, MT, and Nathan Langewisch, undergraduate studying occupational safety and health at University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO. Roman Rogala, undergraduate studying fire protection and safety technology at Oklahoma State University in Durant, OK, also received the $3,000 Bechtel Group Foundation Scholarship along with the Flatiron Construction Safety Scholarship worth $3,440.
Dana Lee Chapman and Mathew R. Kopecky will each receive $4,720 SH&E scholarships from the CNA Foundation. Chapman is an undergraduate at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV studying occupational safety. Kopecky is an undergraduate at Murray State University in Murray, KY studying occupational safety and health.
The recipients of the $5,250 David Iden Memorial Safety Scholarship sponsored by the United Parcel Service (UPS) Foundation include: Amanda Leigh Smith and Katie M. Ferguson, undergraduates at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in Indiana, PA; Jeff Fox, undergraduate at Indiana State University; and Adam Haynos, undergraduate at Millersville University in Millersville, PA. In addition, this year's recipients of the $5,250 UPS Diversity Scholarship include Amanda Roseman, undergraduate at Oakland University in Rochester, MI, and Chet S. Gnet, undergraduate at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL. Gnet also received a $2,000 ASSE Northeastern Illinois Chapter Scholarship this year.
The new $1,000 Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) - Glen Daviet Scholarship was awarded to undergraduate Samuel C. Hafley studying safety management at the University of Central Missouri. The $1,000 Marsh Risk Consulting Scholarship recipient is Paul Robinson at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he is an undergraduate studying safety sciences.
The recipient of the $2,000 Karl A. Jacobson, CSP Distinguished Service Award Scholarship is Peder Hanson, undergraduate student at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro, NC studying occupational safety and health. The recipient of the $2,500 George Gustafson Health, Safety and Environmental Memorial Scholarship sponsored by the Texas Safety Foundation is graduate student Cody R. Davidowski at University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie, WI, studying risk control. Ryan Kiley, occupational SH&E undergraduate at Millersville University, will receive the America Responds Memorial Scholarship, a $1,000 scholarship honoring the ASSE members lost in the September 2001 attacks. Megan Karie, SH&E undergraduate at Oakland University will receive the Harry Taback 9/11 Memorial Scholarship also for $1,000.
There are two ASSE Foundation/Practice Specialty PDC Scholarships awarded this year up to $1,200. The recipients are two undergraduates, Irina Shchedrov at California State University Sacramento and Syed Rizvi at University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, OK. There is also a new $1,000 ASSE Diversity Committee Scholarship this year which was awarded to graduate student Joshua E. Kaylor at Eastern Kentucky University studying safety security and emergency management.
Covering SH&E graduate studies, the Thompson Scholarship for Women in Safety Program will award $1,000 to Elizabeth D. Maxwell, M.S. who is studying health and occupational safety management at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. Established in memory of North Carolina safety educator James P. Kohn, Ed.D., CSP, CIH, the James P. Kohn Memorial Scholarship, a $2,000 award, will be presented to Holly Ann Shores, graduate student in occupational safety management at University of Central Missouri.
In addition, this year's recipients of the $2,000 Medina Scholarship for Hispanics in Safety are graduate student of occupational safety and health, Edmundo Armendariz, at Columbia Southern University in Orange Beach, AL, and safety sciences undergraduate student Blanca Campos at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, AZ. Campos also received the $1,000 North Florida Chapter Safety Education Scholarship this year.
Steven Black, graduate student of industrial hygiene at University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ, is the recipient of the $1,000 William C. Ray, CIH, CSP, Arizona Chapter Scholarship. The $1,000 ASSE Construction Safety Scholarship funded through the revenue of ASSE's comprehensive text Construction Safety Management and Engineering, will be awarded to graduate student Alix Jacob studying environmental science at Pace University in New York City, NY.
The ASSE Foundation also offers several local and regional scholarships for SH&E graduate and undergraduate students. The $3,000 Greater Boston Chapter Leadership Award recipient is Justin T. Barnard, undergraduate in safety studies at Keene State College in Keene, NH. Robert Hobson, undergraduate student studying occupational safety and health at Murray State University is the recipient of the $2,000 Harold F. Polston Scholarship sponsored by the Middle Tennessee Chapter. The $2,000 Northeastern Illinois Chapter Scholarship is awarded to graduate student Anders Abelmann at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Abelmann is studying occupational safety and industrial hygiene.
There are several $1,000 local and regional SH&E scholarships given out by the Foundation. Graduate student Patricia Kagerer at Southern Methodist University is the recipient of the Southwest Chapter Roy Kinslow Scholarship. She is working towards a master's degree in education and human development. The Warren K. Brown Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate Jayme Kathryn Kahne of Murray State University. Nick Cucinella, undergraduate studying safety management at Indiana State University, is the recipient of the Central Indiana ASSE Scholarship. There are two undergraduate recipients of the Gulf Coast Past President's Scholarship studying within the SH&E field, Matthew Hornyak at Millersville University and Beth Ann Branicky at Ohio University in Athens, OH. Industrial hygiene graduate student Sherry Green Montana Tech of the University of Montana is the recipient of the Scott Dominguez - Craters of the Moon Chapter Scholarship. Micah Walala graduate student in safety science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is the recipient of the Gold Country Section & Region II Scholarship.
The American Society of Safety Engineers Foundation, established by and in partnership with the American Society of Safety Engineers, generates funding and provides resources for scholarship, applied research, academic accreditation, and related academic initiatives in order to advance the safety, health, and environmental profession. For more information on the Foundation and its programs visit www.asse.org/foundation.
Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines, IL-based ASSE is the largest and oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 32,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor and education. For more information check ASSE's website at www.asse.org.
The Metropolitan Chapter is Looking for Volunteers!
Are you interested in meeting new people in the field of health and safety?
Do you want to become more involved in local chapter events? Do you have a presentation idea or would like to speak at an upcoming meeting? Would you like an opportunity to demonstrate your leadership abilities and help grow the professional membership organization that serves you? If so, please reach out to Dina Vasquez at dinav@sq-plus.com or 212-868-3239. We are looking for anyone interested in becoming a chairperson for a chapter committee or would like to present at an upcoming meeting.
In Case of Emergency - "ICE" System for Cell Phones
WHAT: In case of emergency "ICE" is a proactive effort designed to provide emergency personnel with next of kin contacts via a patients mobile/cellular phone situations.
WHY: Police, fire and other emergency personnel across the U.S. are using this free service - checking cellular phones if those injured are incapable of providing the necessary medical information.
HOW: Make sure your contact is easy to reach. If you add more than one "ICE" contract, than add a numeric order. Make sure "ICE" contacts have a phone list of family members, primary care physician and main work contact. Provide "ICE" contact with medical conditions, such as allergies, current medications, and previous medical procedures.
Follow these easy steps: In your cell phone address book, enter a new contact. Enter the letters "ICE", then type in your contact's name followed by their number.
- ICEjohndoe1 555-555-5555
- ICEmary2 555-555-5555
