A woman whose safety career began as an occupational health nurse and who ultimately transitioned to being a corporate executive on the leading edge of safety initiatives has received the honor of Fellow from the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE).

Deborah R. Roy, MPH, CSP, RN, COHN-S, CET, FAAOHN, has been named the 2018 recipient of the organization’s highest honor.

Roy has earned a reputation among colleagues for being a strategic thinker with strong business skills, technical expertise and a constant desire for improvement. She began working as the sole occupational health nurse in an electronics plant of 1,300 employees. Now she is the corporate director of health at L.L. Bean, where her innovative approach has resulted in the implementation of safety management systems at seven sites in seven years, significantly improving injury rates and reducing costs. She has been a speaker, educator, mentor and trainer on a multitude of topics for thousands of safety professionals. She has written for peer-reviewed journals and was a contributing author to a book published by ASSE in 2015, Consultants Business Development Guide, which addresses financial issues of running a successful consultancy.

The honor of Fellow recognizes an ASSE member’s lifetime commitment to worker safety and health. Nominees must have a track record of significant contributions to the occupational safety and health profession for at least 20 years.

Roy will serve as ASSE’s 2020-21 president, having been elected this year as the organization’s senior vice president. Of Roy’s two years on the ASSE’s Board of Directors, President Jim Smith, M.S., CSP says; “I’m familiar with her exemplary achievements and willingness to take on key volunteer roles. She served on our leadership team at a time of great change. It led to a new organizational structure that is helping ASSE meet today’s challenges.”

Roy will be honored during ASSE’s Safety 2018, held June 3-6 in San Antonio.