The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the world’s oldest professional safety organization, has completed the 2017 Society elections and congratulates its new leaders, whose terms begin July 1. Jim Smith, M.S., CSP, will become ASSE’s new president for 2017-18.

“Elections are the heart of a professional society, and I’m happy to see our members staying involved and showing their commitment to voting,” said ASSE President Tom Cecich, CSP, CIH, whose term expires June 30. “Highly engaged members define our society, keeping us dynamic while putting us in position to achieve new successes.”

The top elected positions at ASSE – all part of its Board of Directors – are president, president-elect, senior vice president, vice president of Finance, and directors-at-large. Each is a 1-year term, except for the 2-year term of vice president of Finance and the 3-year term of director. The succession of candidates from senior vice president to president-elect, and from president-elect to president, is automatic.

Following is a snapshot of ASSE’s top newly elected leaders, whose influence and contributions will help shape the policies and programs that sustain the Society as a premier professional membership organization.

●  President Jim Smith, M.S., CSP, is director of risk control services for Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services. He has been a member of the Society for 38 years, first joining as a student member in 1979. He has served 15 years on ASSE’s Board of Directors in major leadership positions. Society honors include the 2004 Edgar Monsanto Queeny Safety Professional of the Year, the 1997-98 Charles V. Culbertson Outstanding Volunteer Service Award, and the President’s Award in 2009 and 2012 for exemplary financial management.

●  President-Elect Rixio Medina, CSP, CPP, is business development director with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, and previously was vice president of health, safety, security, environment and shared services for CITGO Petroleum Corporation. He has been an ASSE member since 1991. Rixio is a former presidential appointee to the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. Society honors include a President’s Award in 2003, Fellow recipient in 2012, and a Foundation Distinguished Service Award. Rixio will be ASSE president in 2018-19.

●  Senior Vice President Diana Stegall, CSP, CFPS, ARM, is senior loss control specialist for United Heartland. She has been an ASSE member since 1998 and was president of two chapters. Other Society involvement has included governmental affairs, practice specialties, Women in Safety Engineering, and the Bylaws Committee. Society honors include the 2005 Safety Professional of the Year and the Culbertson Outstanding Volunteer Service Award in 2004 and 2011. Diana will be ASSE president in 2019-20.

●  Director-At-Large Carl Heinlein, CSP, ARM, CRIS, is senior safety consultant at American Contractors Insurance Group. He has been a Society member since 1993. He currently serves as a delegate for ASSE and the National Safety Council. Carl has been in the environmental health and safety profession for 25 years. He is a member of the NIOSH-NORA Construction Sector. Carl is a recipient of the Distinguished Service to Safety Award from the National Safety Council and named a Fellow by the American Industrial Hygiene Association.

To run on the Society ballot for any position, candidates are required to possess a number of qualifications in addition to being a professional member. Those attributes include involvement in an ASSE committee or task force, a record of positive contributions to the safety profession, support and understanding of the Society’s vision, and being a good motivator who is results-driven.

A complete list of the Society’s election results is available at http://www.asse.org/elections/2017-results/.

About ASSE – Working together for a safer, stronger future

For more than 100 years, the American Society of Safety Engineers has been at the forefront of helping occupational safety and health professionals protect people and property. The nonprofit society is based in the Chicago suburb of Park Ridge. Its global membership of over 37,000 professionals covers every industry, developing safety and health management plans that prevent deaths, injuries and illnesses. ASSE advances its members and the safety profession through education, advocacy, standards development and a professional community. Its flagship publication, Professional Safety, is a longtime leader in the field. Visit www.asse.org and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.