The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) awarded three members, Gary Barnett of Ocean New Jersey, Thomas Cecich of Apex, North Carolina and Don Jones, Sr. from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Fellow Honor, its highest distinction, recognizing their lifetime of commitment to worker safety and their leadership in the occupational health and safety field, at the group’s Safety 2014 meeting in Orlando this past June.
Barnett made his mark in the grain and food processing industry, and oversaw two ANSI standards and the finalization of two others. “Fifty years ago this month, I was notified that my ASSE membership application was approved,” he said. “I was so excited about being a member. It has been one of the best things that happened to me.”
Cecich retired from GlaxoSmithKline in 2003 as vice president of EHS global business support. He runs a consulting business and chairs the Center for Safety and Health Sustainability. “I can’t thank everyone who helped me achieve this honor, but I can thank you for being part of a professional body that helped me achieve much more than I could individually,” he said. Cecich will serve as ASSE president in 2016.
Jones, Sr. oversees the health, safety, security, and environmental compliance and management systems for BP BioFuels, and earlier played leading roles as president of the ASSE Greater Baton Rouge Chapter. He later served as ASSE president. “I am humbled to receive this honor and thank all that were an influence in my development as a safety professional,” he said.
Dr. David Kraemer, a professor and chair of Murray State University’s occupational health and safety program, was awarded the William E. Tarrants, Outstanding Safety Educator of the Year.
For more than 40 years, Kraemer, who is retiring this year, inspired thousands of students in the safety profession.
“How blessed I’ve been to have spent my career investing in the lives of young men and women pursuing an occupational safety and health education, seeing them graduate and contribute in a positive way to this profession,” he said. “I can’t think of any better way to have spent the past 44 years.”
