CSP Award of Excellence
Tricia Kagerer, CSP is the EVP of Risk Management for Jordan Foster Construction, a large construction organization that performs civil, multi-family and general contracting across Texas. She leads the risk management, safety, and leadership teams. Previously, Kagerer served as a Risk Management Executive for a construction insurance provider where she contributed risk management and safety consulting services for some of the largest contractors across the United States.
A seasoned, goal-focused safety, risk and continuous improvement professional with expertise in designing and leading all aspects of performance excellence through safety management, Kagerer is an expert in creating and leading high performing risk and safety strategies that ultimately reduce the cost of risk for an organization while instilling a culture of excellence focused on enterprise risk management. Her risk expertise includes evaluating and designing risk strategies to determine the best possible course of action on risk financing decisions including retention, finance, self-insure, and risk transfer options for multi-million-dollar construction organizations across the United States. Kagerer has developed expertise and speaks regularly on the human side of crisis management, emergency response, best practices, education across cultures, servant leadership, and diversity.
Kagerer is the author of the book, “The B Words: 13 Words Every Woman Must Navigate on the Journey to Self-Defined Success” where she highlights challenges and breakthrough strategies for women entering non-traditional roles in the workplace.
Kagerer holds a master’s degree in dispute resolution from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Arts in Communication—Public Relations from Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Her professional credentials include Certified Safety Professional (CSP); Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU); Construction Risk Insurance Specialist (CRIS); Associate in Risk Management (ARM); Associate in Claims Management (AIC); licensed Texas claims representative and commercial agent; and served as a construction panel arbitrator with the AAA.
ASP Award of Excellence
Umair Shahab Shahid CSP, ASP is a professional chemical engineer with more than 13 years of experience in the chemicals/petrochemicals, mining, and oil and gas industries. Shahid’s experience includes roles in HSE management systems, process safety management (PSM) systems, project management, HAZID, HAZOP, LOPA, SIL, consequence analysis, fire and gas mapping, developing and managing HSE KPIs, OSHA, and NFPA standards.
Shahid graduated in 2007 from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan, and joined Engro Corporation in 2008 as a graduate trainee engineer on a petrochemical complex installation and commissioning project. In 2013, he moved to the oil and gas sector in the capacity of HSE Advisor where he was nominated as a future emerging leader. After spending three years in oil and gas, he acquired a leading position in the first ever open cast mining organization where the role was to develop and implement HSE management systems.
In 2018, Shahid joined a petrochemical complex and currently works in the capacity of a Safety Engineer. In his first year in this position, Umair received commendations for successfully integrating PTW across the organization and for successfully managing queries through the HSSE support helpdesk.
Shahid received the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) Excellence Award in 2018 based on his exceptional performance in his role and was soon after awarded the “Rising Star of Safety” in 2019 by the National Safety Council.
In the past five (5) years, Shahid has earned his Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Associate Safety Professional (ASP), CCPSC (Certified Process Safety Professional), Certified Process Safety Professional (NEBOSH), Certified Functional Safety Engineer and Certified IMS Internal Auditor (TUV) credentials as well as becoming a Chartered Member of IOSH (CMIOSH).
Currently, Shahid is studying to earn a master’s in safety and risk management from Liverpool John Moors University, where in his first year he has acquired distinctions in two modules.
OHST Award of Excellence
Steven Mercer, CSP, ASP, OHST has over 25 years of experience in general and construction industries. Mercer serves as a Marathon Petroleum HES Professional and is an integral part of MPLX SWBU West Texas Mid-Stream Business Division which provides the company with cryogenic gas plants, compressor stations, meter stations, and pipeline. Mercer provides his safety expertise for the Permian and Delaware Basin regions for the company covering West Texas and Southern New Mexico.
Mercer has been a full-time member of the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) since August 2011. In May of 2012, he completed his associate degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University and achieved his OHST certification. While working full-time in July 2017, Mercer was able to complete his CSHO at TEEX and went on to earn his ASP and CSP. Mercer received his bachelor’s in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University in July of 2020 graduating Magna Cum Laude.
Mercer and was identified as a Safety Hero by iReportSource and received the Safe Site of the Year award while working at the Tesla Gigafactory with Helix Electric in 2017. In 2018, Mercer provided his services to NASA, Johnson Space Center for the completion of the first CHP Plant, and he was published in iReportSource, writing “5 Steps to Curb-Complacency in the Workplace.” Mercer also received a safety leadership award in 2018 by Baker Hughes (BHGE). In 2019, Mercer received a second safety leadership award by Marathon Petroleum.
Mercer has been recognized as a leader in the oil and gas industry with a proven track record of bringing his extensive experience into locations that have reported a higher volume of incidents. Mercer immediately adds value to his team and stakeholders by gaining employee involvement and operations buy-in which also includes partnering with leadership at all levels within Marathon Petroleum. He sets himself apart from his peers by being a good listener and always being respectful. He is the consummate safety professional that effectively communicates through all levels of the organization and knows how to obtain the right results—being one of general industry’s most prolific and decorated safety professionals.
Mercer believes that following several key principles including guiding, mentoring, leading, training, and communication with the right attitude provides the right formula for being an integral part and asset to a great organization like Marathon Petroleum. Mercer appreciates the support from his teammates and leaders within the organization along with every mentor that provided Mercer the push, drive, ambition, and support needed to become a successful asset within the safety and health profession. Mercer believes iron sharpens iron and will support the younger generation of safety and health professionals to exceed heights only those that trailblazers would appreciate.
CHST Award of Excellence
Jordan Hollingsworth, CSP, CHST, CUSP joined the Safety Management Group (SMG) in February 2008. Hollingsworth leads a staff of safety professionals and contributes to creating expanded solutions designed to meet clients’ unique and evolving needs. He holds a master’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health from Indiana State University and most recently completed the Executive Program through Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business.
Hollingsworth is committed to serving the community and demonstrates his pledge by being actively engaged in local and national safety committees and participating in multiple industry associations, including the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), Coalition for Construction Safety (CCS), Utility Safety & Ops Leadership Network (USOLN), Junior Achievement (JA), and Kids’ Chance.
Hollingsworth is a professional member of ASSP’s Central Indiana Chapter, where he has served the roles of Vice President, Student Section Liaison, Construction Practice Specialty Special Projects Chair, Social Media Chair, Chapter Delegate, and is currently the Golf Outing Chair. Hollingsworth founded the Future Safety Leaders Scholarship Golf Outing which has funded more than 20 scholarships to students pursuing a career in safety. He was named the chapter’s 2020 Safety Professional of the Year.
Recognized as an industry leader, Hollingsworth is the author of many published articles on construction safety and best practices. He was named to the Indy’s Best and Brightest list in 2018. Hollingsworth values personal and professional growth, creating client success stories, and offering meaningful contributions to the community.
STS Award of Excellence
Sondra Lavoie, CHST, STS, CRIS is a Risk Control Specialist for PayneWest Insurance in the Pacific Northwest. She received her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health from Columbia Southern University and has spent the previous 12 years in safety and risk management. Her diverse experience has cultivated a well-respected reputation throughout many industries, her clients, the community, and her colleagues.
Lavoie began her career in 2002, serving as a project engineer for a specialty and finish contractor in construction. She transitioned into safety in 2008 as a construction safety administrator for a concrete placing company. Beginning in 2008, Lavoie focused her safety acumen and commitment to excellence by returning to school at the age of 40 and working full-time as a safety consultant in the construction industry, all while raising her daughter with her husband.
During this time, Lavoie became heavily involved with the American General Contractors (AGC), the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP), the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC), and the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). Lavoie engaged herself by offering to be a presenter at meetings on safety with the Snake River ASSP chapter and the Idaho AGC safety committee, while also serving on various safety committees and volunteering at every opportunity.
While serving as a safety consultant and earning her STS and CHST certifications from BCSP, Lavoie collaborated with safety professionals, keeping workers safe on multiple projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. She worked on the Jack’s Urban Meet Up Place (JUMP), one of the largest design build projects in the Pacific Northwest, and on Zions Banks, Boise’s tallest skyscraper. Lavoie was particularly fond of participating in an STS Job Analysis Panel in 2015 with fellow BCSP certificants from all over the country and Canada. It was the first of many experiences where she was able to be of service to BCSP.
In 2015, Lavoie became the Safety Director for the Treasure Valley Family YMCA, which broadened her expertise in public safety by working in the non-profit industry. This period of her safety career was one of significant leadership growth and accomplishments. She graduated from college with her Bachelor of Science in Occupational Safety and Health, continued service with the Snake River ASSP as a chapter officer, and diversified her safety expertise by learning from many risk and safety leaders from around the nation. The mentorship she received during this time was key to her growth in safety and risk management; it guided her to expand her reach to others in the non-profit sector.
Lavoie’s years of focus, dedication, and commitment to her profession have enabled her to be a part of the PayneWest Risk Control team, where she works in risk management. Lavoie is honest, fair, responsible, and a trusted team member always willing to help address the diverse needs of her clients in agriculture, non-profits, and residential and commercial construction.