2015 CEOs Who "Get It"

Intro Michael S. Burke Brig. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi Brad Childers Roger Friede Kimberly J. Harris William “Bill” S. McIntyre IV James R. Miller Randall A. Neuhaus Jason Pond

While this is my first opportunity to introduce CEOs Who “Get It” to our Safety+Health readers, the reason for the recognition is just as vital as it was more than a decade ago when the first class of CEOs was selected. We continue to recognize these individuals for their accomplishments because we know that strong safety cultures thrive in organizations where leaders take an active role.

At the 2014 NSC Congress & Expo, we asked visitors to the NSC booth to vote for their greatest safety challenge. The biggest challenge by far was leadership commitment and engaging employees (62 percent), followed by reducing risk (18 percent), safety management systems (11 percent) and measuring performance (9 percent). It takes effort and commitment to lead from the top, but employees will tell you that it makes a difference. So we remain committed to spotlighting success, sharing stories and hopefully inspiring others to step up to the challenge.

All of this year’s CEOs understand that building a safety culture in their organization starts with them – the choices they make, where they focus their efforts and the expectations they set for others. At Greenberry Industrial, employees notice that the safety director’s office is right next door to President and CEO Jason Pond. This is a physical reminder to every employee in the organization that safety is central to their success and not just a passing mention.

However, while commitment needs to start at the top, these leaders also realize that all employees need to be actively engaged in safety. Brigadier General Robert Castellvi, Commanding General of the Marine Corps at Base Camp Lejeune, expects every team member to accept responsibility for his or her safety; take an active role in identifying and mitigating risk; and support the workforce through teamwork, camaraderie and a sense of family.

These CEOs also put safety before profits. Many, such as Brad Childers, president and CEO of Exterran, empower employees to make the final call when it comes to their own safety. In person and through corporate communications, Childers encourages his employees to use their “Stop the Job” authority if they believe their safety is compromised.

If you are struggling to get your leadership to understand the importance of safety, I urge you to share this article with them. Also, pay attention to the advice each honoree gives on how to secure buy-in from the C-suite. Being a CEO Who “Gets It” doesn’t mean that safety comes easy, but it does mean these leaders are dedicated to safety for the long haul and committed to continuous improvement for both their organization and themselves.

Congratulations once again to this year’s honorees for their dedication and inspiration.

Deborah A.P. Hersman
President & CEO
National Safety Council