My Story: Thomas L. Bildheiser

My interest in safety began in the summer of 1992 in Cressona, PA. My cousin got me a summer job as a “runout man” on Press 17 at Cressona Aluminum Co., an aluminum extrusion mill. The conditions were hot, humid and especially dirty on third shift. However, I needed the money to go back to college the next semester, and this job paid better than most other summer jobs in my area.

My supervisor at the time took a liking to me and allowed me to do “other” jobs during my second summer back in the mill. He had me do safety checks, train new employees and organize various areas. He showed me the importance of safety and how it can change people’s lives. Well, many years later, after obtaining my bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and hygiene management from Millersville University, I find myself working in the insurance industry as a senior safety and loss control consultant doing what I love, which is helping people work safely.

Thomas L. Bildheiser, GSP
Senior Safety and Loss Control Consultant
Lebanon, PA