Strategic advisory to help ensure all workers get home safe

James is a noted author on safety topics and the CEO and co-founder of Mariner-Gulf Consulting & Services, LLC, a risk management and occupational safety and health consulting firm, specializing in safety regulations, training, management systems, serious injury and fatality investigations, OSHA inspection representation, and EHS program implementation. A much sought after Veriforce Master Trainer, James has taught over 40,000 students and trained over 3,000 instructors. James is the chair of   Professional Safety journal’s editorial review board. He is Columbia Southern University’s 2022 Safety Professional of the Year (Runner Up), a 2023 recipient of the National Association of Environmental Management’s (NAEM) 30 over 30 Award for excellence in the practice of occupational safety and health and sustainability, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) 2024 Safety Professional of the Year for Training and Communications, and the recipient of the ASSP 2023-2024 Charles V. Culberson award.

William has a 50-year career that spans multiple industries from theater and entertainment to safety consulting and employee training. With a Masters in Adult Education Distance Learning and a Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety, he creates branded and customized blended learning packages for HSE clients and is a Veriforce Master Trainer.

Dr. Daniels holds a Ph.D. in Occupational Health and Safety and is certified as a safety director, violence prevention specialist, emergency management specialist, safety and health specialist, and certified in mental health first aid. He serves as a member of the National Safety Council (NSC) board of directors and is a recipient of the NSC’s Distinguished Service to Safety Award. He is also chair of the National Association of Black Compliance and Risk Management Professionals Safety and Security Workgroup.

Kevin is cofounder and executive vice president of supply chain and operations at Hilo Industries, a medical manufacturing & supply chain company that delivers value to governments, GPOs, and Fortune 500 organizations. He has over 25 years of experience in leading global supply chain and sourcing teams across diverse industries, such as retail, manufacturing, and healthcare. He has a proven track record of delivering significant savings, improving quality, and optimizing processes. He has also established and managed world-class sourcing offices in China, and developed strategic partnerships with suppliers and stakeholders. He was a former executive at Varian, Walmart (China), Intel and a University Professor for 10 years which combines a unique industry practical view with academic rigor. He holds a PhD in International Business, a Masters in International Management, and an MBA from Thunderbird.

Dr. Martin has 32 years of occupational safety management, construction safety, industrial hygiene, toxicology, epidemiology, environmental consulting, and remote instruction/curriculum development. As a two-term past president of the board of directors of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, Dr. Martin received the 2021 Board of Global EHS Credentialing/American Board of Industrial Hygiene Impact Award for the Certified Industrial Hygienist and received the 2018 National Safety Council Marion Martin award.

Brent Kettelkamp focuses his practice on occupational safety and health issues. He litigates OSHA cases before federal/state agencies and courts, and also represents employers during government inspections and investigations. His practice also includes providing compliance advice and conducting privileged audits on complex workplace safety issues. Brent represents employers in a wide range of industries, including construction, oil and gas, retail, food processing, and manufacturing.

In addition to his OSHA practice, Brent defends employers in employment-related litigation, including claims of discrimination arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and comparable state laws, as well as claims of retaliation arising under federal and state anti-discrimination and whistleblower statutes.

Outside of his litigation practice, Brent regularly provides proactive guidance and advice to employers regarding employment agreements, employee discipline/terminations, employee leaves and accommodations, handbook and policy compliance, drug and alcohol testing compliance, and related policy drafting.

Alan is a distinguished procurement executive with over 25 years of global experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, and Supply Chain Management. He is an expert in procurement technologies, including the newer Cognitive AI solutions revolutionizing procurement today. Known for challenging norms and delivering exceptional results, he has managed billions of dollars of spend worldwide. His expertise was honed at a series of Fortune 500 global companies, where he led large transformation and modernization projects.

For example, at a global Telecom Company, he led a major restructuring of the procurement organization, introducing new technologies, training plans, policies, and category management methodologies. In another instance, as the head of procurement at a global apparel manufacturer, he established a new post-spin-off procurement division and implemented a digital strategy as well as a new category management process. Similar achievements followed at a global Telecom Manufacturer and an Alcoholic Beverage Distributor, where he built procurement groups from scratch, focusing on newer procurement technologies, staff development, modernizing procurement processes, and innovation. Recently, he played a pivotal role in helping to establish a new procurement department for one of the nation’s leading water distribution firms, where he implemented the latest procurement technologies and created a digital roadmap for future growth.
Alan has a Bachelor’s Degree in International Affairs and a Masters in Supply Chain Management. He is an esteemed speaker at industry forums and contributes to industry articles on AI’s role in procurement. His deep expertise spans sectors such as Food and Beverage, Energy, Logistics, Telecom, and Technology, coupled with his adeptness in Strategic Sourcing, Technology, Innovation, and Organizational Design, all of which give him a unique perspective on today’s fast-changing business environment.

Dr. Paselk holds a Ph.D. in Occupational Health and Safety and is certified as a Safety Professional (CSP), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Lean Six Sigma Champion (LSSC), and a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (FIIRSM). Currently, Dr. Paselk is an Adjunct Professor at Capitol Technology University, where he mentors PhD students. He is a member of the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), the International Institute of Risk & Safety Management (IIRSM), the Project Management Institute (PMI), and the German Association of Engineers (VDI).

William has over 25 years of experience in health, safety, and environmental management and is a Certified Industrial Hygienist. He has a passion for championing the philosophy of Prevention through Design (PtD) and Serious Incident and Fatality (SIF) prevention for workers in the oil and gas industry.

David worked for OSHA for 35 years, serving in many roles including Area Director of Oklahoma, Assistant Area Director in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Little Rock, Arkansas, and Deputy Area Commander for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration response to the Deepwater Horizon and Hurricane Harvey incidents.

Boasting over 40 years of experience in US Onshore Oil & Gas safety, Rick Ingram possesses expertise across all exploration and production phases. Through investigations, evaluations, audits, and program development, he has demonstrably enhanced safety protocols. Notably, his successful implementation of OSHA VPP programs and participation in industry evaluation teams further showcase his commitment to safety excellence. Dedicated to collaborative efforts, he co-founded key safety networks and led national initiatives, demonstrating a passion for collective advancement. Rick’s involvement as a founding member of the UT Arlington Oil & Gas Safety Conference and co-chair of a proposed Emergency Response Standard underlines his commitment to shaping the future of safety in the field. Recognized for his dedication, he is a member of key safety committees and has received the Assistant Secretary of OSHA Commendation Coin. Throughout his career, he has consistently prioritized worker well-being through his deep understanding of oil & gas safety and unwavering advocacy efforts.

Chris is the safety manager for Callon Petroleum and has served as such since 2021. In this position, he helped his company earn the prestigious “Texas Mutual Platinum Safety Partner” award 2 years in a row as well as setting a record low annual TRIR for Callon.

Born and raised in Midland, TX, Chris is a 3rd generation “oilfield hand.” He relies on his 20+ years of safety experience in the oil and gas industry to make informed decisions and craft policies based in common sense. His experience covers virtually all aspect of upstream oil and gas operations. The years of varied experience has given him a unique perspective on the approach to keeping people safe.

For 18 years, Douglas has worked in workplace safety, risk management, leadership and professional development, training video production, and computer-based training design. Douglas is an EHS & Leadership Course Developer and Instructor, test prep developer for safety professionals, NCCER Master Trainer, and CSSM, and has trained hundreds of OSHA trainers.

With over a decade of dedicated experience in health and safety across various high-stakes industries, Chris Court has honed his skills not only to ensure compliance but also to cultivate a culture in which safety is an intrinsic part of every work ethic. His journey spans oil fields, petrochemical plants, and the dynamic environment of EPC heavy construction sites, always guided by the mission to safeguard every employee and ensure they return home safely from highly hazardous work environments. For Chris, safety is not just a profession—it’s a passion. He believes that every individual deserves to work in an environment where they feel protected and valued. Seeing employees arrive home safely to their families remains the most rewarding aspect of his role.

Chris’ more than 45 years of industry, consulting, and academic experience has included time with Mobil Oil in domestic and foreign assignments and Golden Aluminum Co. as HSE manager. Over his career, Chris has conducted numerous Process Safety Management hazard analyses and audits and taught at the University of Denver and Southeastern Louisiana University.

Yara specializes in workplace safety engineering and continuous improvement, by developing trustworthy relationships and the utilization of data collection and analysis. Her areas of expertise include manufacturing, gap analysis, implementation and sustainability of safety programs, and chemical safety. She is a seasoned EH&S manager, with 10+ years of experience implementing, sustaining, and improving 22+ environmental, safety, and health programs in the manufacturing industry. Yara is passionate about injury prevention, process engineering, as well as worker’s and environmental safety for manufacturing, and environmental consulting firms.

Steve is a health, safety, and environmental specialist with over two decades of combined experience serving the semiconductor and pipeline industries. He specializes in protecting people who work on pressurized piping systems through the development and implementation of effective health and safety management systems.

Carl has over 40 years of experience in health, safety and environmental management and compliance primarily in the onshore oil and gas and midstream industries, with notable periods in airline transportation and manufacturing.  From running an industrial fire school to conducting EHS management system audits based on ISO, he continues to broaden his skill set with Environmental, Social and Governance leading his employer’s efforts to quantify Scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions four years running.  Carl is a graduate of the Energy ESG Leadership program at the OU Ronnie K. Irani Center for Energy Solutions, and the NCCER Master Trainer program.   With a passion for ensuring that all workers return home at the end of their day or hitch, he helped found the non-profit West Texas Safety Training Center in Odessa and served on both the Advisory Steering Committee and the Board of Directors.  Carl currently serves on the Advisory Board of the UTA Safety and Environmental Conference and is a member of the American Society of Safety Professionals.

Bill is a safety professional with over 30 years of experience spanning manufacturing, steel production, oil and gas drilling, H2S, heavy equipment operations, and more. He focuses on the relationship aspect of safety rather than strict enforcement.

Daniel started his career in safety training and consulting in 1996. Prior to starting his own company, he worked for Shell for 13 years. Now he assists new and established companies in the development of their safety and health programs and training. His accolades include OSHA-authorized instructor, HAZWOPER instructor, and a Veriforce Master Trainer.

Stephen is an Executive Business Leader and Principal at Nocopycats LLC – a Digital Transformation and Safety Management Consulting firm with a vision to be a pioneering force in transformative consulting within Project Management, Process Safety Management, and Change Management services for the US Oil and Gas industry. Stephen has over 20 years of international experience in risk and safety management, change management, and project management across various industries in Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He has valuable insights into collaborating with international partners and overseeing the development of eLearning platforms. Additionally, he leverages expertise in utilizing emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data Analytics to build effective teams and drive collaboration efforts on projects. He holds a Post Graduate Degree in Safety Engineering & Risk Management, Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, an MBA, and is currently a Doctoral Scholar. These qualifications equip him with the strategic acumen and leadership skills necessary to lead multi-disciplinary teams in developing and implementing comprehensive health, safety, and environmental risk management programs for large-scale energy providers.

As Global Head of New Markets, Alex has played a pivotal role in CHAS’s global expansion, including product localization, partnerships, and client management. With 20+ years in risk management and construction, he brings expertise in SHEQ, commercial acumen, and a vast network. Alex’s leadership has driven growth through M&A, product launches, and client engagement, making him a valuable asset to CHAS.

Mark is a respected safety professional and former OSHA Area Director for the Houston South Area Office. As one of OSHA’s leading investigators in Process Safety Management (PSM), he investigated numerous industrial accidents including the 1992 Arcadian Chemical plant explosion. Mark spent 15 years as Area Director managing multiple compliance teams and was recognized as a Top Manager and Leader within the agency. Since retiring in 2023, he founded MrB Consulting, focusing on elevating corporate safety and health programs through leadership development and consulting services. Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from New Mexico State University and the Certified Safety Professional (CSP) designation. He is a sought-after speaker for safety leadership engagements and maintains multiple advanced blackbelt rankings in several martial arts.

Richard is a U.S. Navy veteran and currently works as a senior HSE advisor for Veriforce. He is a master trainer for Veriforce and an H2S Master Trainer under Eric Rosemann and Associates, LLC, formerly Frank Perry. His experience includes workover rigs, drilling rigs, pipeline, fracking, and cementing, holding positions at Mobil Oil Corporation, and 10 years in a fire department as the training officer. Richard is a member of the ANSI/ASSP Z-390.1 committee.

Chris is a senior safety advisor for Veriforce Inc. with over 15 years of experience in safety and health as a master trainer and auditor for Veriforce, as well as experience in health and safety management.

Josh formerly served as the Chairman of SafelandUSA and an Executive board member for the National STEPS Network. Before joining Veriforce as Vice President of SSP, Josh was with BHP for 18 years. During his time with BHP, Josh worked in operations, human resources, health, safety, environment, and community, primarily focused on contractor management. Josh’s extensive experience in oil and gas production, drilling, completions, well interventions, and construction across the United States provides a robust platform to help industry partners enhance safety and bring workers home safe.

With over 25 years of professional experience in leadership, training, and environmental safety and health across multiple industries, including construction, energy, and data centers, Dr. Goncharenko’s latest focus is in the area of human organizational performance. He is a published author, keynote speaker, and trainer – passionate about helping organizations gauge and improve their cultures, values, and performance.